Former Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henri Bennahmias Hired as Consultant for Hublot
François‑Henri Bennahmias, former CEO of Audemars Piguet, has been recruited as a consultant for Hublot, the LVMH‑owned watch brand. His appointment, confirmed by insiders, comes as Hublot seeks to revitalize its position in the luxury market under the leadership of CEO Julien Tornare. Bennahmias, who guided Audemars Piguet to more than $2 billion in annual sales, also founded The Honourable Merchants Group in 2025 and is involved in plans for a new brand, “N3W5,” slated for launch at Dubai Watch Week in 2027. Hublot, founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco, is known for its innovative designs such as rubber‑strap watches and recent collaborations with artists like Jeff Koons. The brand reported revenue of about CHF 460 million in 2025, a slight decline from the previous year, and continues to promote high‑profile ambassadors including Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, and Novak Djokovic. LVMH’s broader watch division, overseen by Jean Arnault, is also managing other marques such as Zenith and TAG Heuer, while expanding its luxury portfolio.
Buying Time Analysis: The appointment of former Audemars Piguet CEO François‑Henri Bennahmias as a consultant signals a strategic move by LVMU’s Hublot to leverage his expertise and industry clout, potentially reshaping its product direction and competitive standing in the luxury watch market.
