Hublot appoints former Audemars Piguet CEO François‑Henry Bennahmias as advisor
François‑Henry Bennahmias, former CEO of Audemars Piguet, has been appointed as an advisor to Hublot by LVMH’s watch division head Jean Arnault. The consultancy aims to leverage Bennahmias’s strategic insight as Hublot evaluates its future direction, including potential shifts away from high‑profile artistic collaborations while maintaining its innovative spirit. His appointment follows a series of strategic moves that connected him with the Arnault family, such as joining Moncler’s board and launching the investment platform The Honourable Merchants Group, which has backed ventures across luxury and craftsmanship. The new role places Bennahmias alongside Hublot CEO Julien Tornare and Arnault in decision‑making processes, with an eye toward aligning Hublot’s portfolio with LVMH’s ultra‑luxury ambitions. While Tornare denies any plans to end collaborations with artists like Jeff Koons, the advisory input may influence upcoming collections and the brand’s positioning through 2028‑2029 and beyond. Bennahmias’s recent launch of his own watch brand, N3W5, funded with $37.5 million, underscores his continued involvement in the high‑end watch market.
Buying Time Analysis: The appointment of former Audemars Piguet CEO François‑Henry Bennahmias as an advisor to Hublot signals a strategic shift for LVMH’s watch division, leveraging his industry expertise to potentially reshape Hublot’s creative collaborations and strengthen ties across the luxury sector.
