LVMH supremo predicts start-ups will become market leaders
Jean‑Christophe Babin, former CEO of TAG Heuer, Bulgari and LVMH Watches, argues that independent watchmakers founded in the last two decades could eventually overtake the established Swiss giants. Drawing on his experience inside a multi‑billion‑dollar luxury group and now as president of Geneva Watch Days, he points to the growing share of GPHG awards won by indie brands and cites examples such as Richard Mille, Hublot, Franck Muller, Frederique Constant, F.P. Journe and Jacob & Co. to illustrate how newer companies are gaining market visibility and challenging traditional players. Babin believes the watch industry’s future will be shaped by fresh ideas from these upstarts, as established houses tend to protect legacy collections and evolve cautiously. He predicts that over the next fifty years several emerging brands could rise into the top five or ten, and emphasizes that continual innovation is essential to keep the sector vibrant and avoid stagnation. Rolex CEO Jean‑Frédéric Dufour echoes this sentiment, noting that young talent pushes incumbents to innovate and that a lack of newcomers would threaten the industry's vitality.
Buying Time Analysis: The story underscores how emerging independent watchmakers are poised to challenge established luxury brands, signaling a pivotal shift in the Swiss watch industry toward innovation and new market leadership.
