Cristina D’Agostino

As the Watches and Wonders fair closed its doors on April 20 with a positive outcome and increased attendance, Guillaume de Seynes, CEO of Hermès International (upstream division and equity investments), outlines the measures taken by the brand to reverse the downward trend in its watchmaking division, which has struggled to regain the strong momentum of the post-Covid years.

On 16 April, Vacheron Constantin is launching a new edition of its Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Civilisations. Launched in 2022 with an initial collection dedicated to key periods in human history, the series is now expanded with four models that shed new light on the masterpieces of Antiquity. It marks a significant advancement in the Maison’s craftsmanship through nine Métiers d’Art disciplines.

While the truce in the Middle East has temporarily eased concerns, it has not alleviated the multifactorial crisis that has been affecting the watchmaking sector for nearly two years. As Watches and Wonders Geneva opens its doors on April 14, and as new geopolitical challenges destabilize the industry, what prospects are emerging for watchmakers and subcontractors in 2026?

Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Elle Fanning, and many other stars are expected to attend the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15. These big names in cinema will cause a stir on the red carpet and on social media. However, the stakes are much higher than audience ratings: the question is how the Academy Awards will continue to interest the younger generation and succeed in passing on and keeping alive a passion for cinema in the age of artificial intelligence. Swiss watchmaker Rolex is committed to this and is stepping up its support.

At the head of Audemars Piguet since 2024, Ilaria Resta is accelerating the transformation of the family-owned brand. Between financial structuring, broader outreach to the general public, and investment in innovation, she explains the strategic vision for 2040 designed to secure growth.

The French-American actor Timothée Chalamet, whose interest in Urban Jürgensen was already well known, has acquired a stake in the historic Danish brand, alongside several other new shareholders. He will also serve as creative advisor on a number of projects and initiatives.

In Geneva, on the first day of Watches and Wonders, Cartier highlighted an increasingly difficult balance to strike in the industry: fueling desirability for its iconic timepieces while ensuring that its offerings remain affordable for a broader clientele. Louis Ferla, CEO of Cartier, and Arnaud Carrez, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Cartier outline the company’s strategies.

On Saturday 4 April, London hosted the famous Boat Race, known for pitting the two academic rivals Oxford and Cambridge against each other since 1829. Chanel, the race’s official timekeeper and title sponsor for the past two years, is thus placing its watchmaking world at the heart of prestigious university institutions, whilst enjoying a less formal and highly popular setting.

Between opening clinics and Longevity Hubs, creating an investment fund, and developing a residential real estate project, Simone Gibertoni is accelerating La Clinique La Prairie’s international expansion. Faced with the arrival of new players boosted by artificial intelligence, the Swiss group is strengthening its ultra-premium model based on medical expertise, technological innovation focused on longevity, and customer experience.

Throughout February, Bulgari celebrated 120 years in St. Moritz, Engadine, with a series of private events bringing together a select group of guests to showcase the brand’s key areas of expertise. The initiative highlights the strategic importance of this opening in the heart of the Alps in 1906 as the brand’s first permanent boutique outside Italy.

As Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari, prepares to hand over the reins of the brand to Laura Burdese next July, he outlines the brand’s significant future potential, the growth drivers presented at Watches and Wonders, and the strategy designed to win back a younger clientele.

As space exploration has once again made headlines since the Artemis-2 mission, the IWC Schaffhausen brand has been focusing on technological innovations related to the next space age for several years now. During the unveiling of new releases at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, Luxury Tribune had the opportunity to meet with Chris Grainger-Herr, who has led IWC for nine years.

This appointment, announced by the group on 17 March via a press release, formalises the separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, […]

The new J12 campaign unveiled by Chanel on February 27 is a rare incarnation of the iconic watch model launched in 2000. For the first time, the watch comes to life on the wrists of two muses, one female and one male: Gisele Bündchen and Clément Chabernaud, both highlighted by the primary element—water—that Jacques Helleu had imagined for it.

The Spanish company, founded in 1914 by the Puig family, now listed on the stock exchange and headquartered in Barcelona, published its 2025 figures on February 18 and confirmed its strong growth. Revenue exceeded €5 billion (€5.04 billion), up 5.3% on published data, improving profitability and outperforming the high-end beauty products market.