The Luxury Watch Industry Today

Julien Tornare, born in 1972 in Geneva (Switzerland), is the CEO of Zenith and one of the youngest CEOs of the luxury watch industry. Active for nearly two decades in the watchmaking sector, he initially worked at Raymond Weil for two years before spending 17 years at Vacheron Constantin: first as market Head for Switzerland, subsequently as the Brand’s US Director, and finally as Managing Director for Asia- Pacific. At the helm of Zenith since 2017, Tornare has brought the brand back into the forefront of watchmaking. By rejuvenating the products as well as the brand’s communication and image, Zenith is once again at the vanguard of ground-breaking innovation, as evident from watches like the DEFY Inventor. In spite of its history dating back to the 19th century and being part of the LVMH group, Tornare has injected his entrepreneurial spirit into Zenith, allowing the brand to revisit its unique history of innovation while laying the foundation for the future of Swiss watchmaking.

Alain Zimmermann, Managing Partner and Board Member of Digital Luxury Group, brings more than 25 years of experience at senior level to the company. He developed his extensive luxury industry expertise and knowledge working for L’Oréal, Cartier, IWC and private bank Julius Bär in different top management functions at an international level. After his assignment as CEO for Baume et Mercier, Zimmermann became the e-distribution Director for watch brands at Richemont, leading strategic digital initiatives including Watchfinder’s and YOOX Net-a-Porter’s integration in the company’s Watch Division.

Alison Bringé, Chief Marketing Officer at Launchmetrics, included on Luxury Daily’s Luxury Women to Watch list for 2019, is an industry expert and thought leader, shaping the way the Fashion, Luxury, and Cosmetic (FLC) industries bridge the gap with technology. Alison was also the Director of Marketing & Communications at IMG Fashion, where she was responsible for the digitalization of New York Fashion Week, introducing the technology that has become the standard for Fashion Shows worldwide today. Previous to that, she supported the US expansion for e-commerce giant, NET-A-PORTER, working under Natalie Massenet and Alison Loehnis. In addition to her corporate experience, Alison has been an integral part of the fashion education system as an adjunct professor at Parsons The New School as well as a continued guest lecturer for programs at Condé Nast College and il sole 24Ore Business School. She holds a Masters from SDA Bocconi’s School of Management in Italy as well as a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Advertising & Communications from the University of Central Florida in the United States.

Pascal O. Ravessoud is the Director of External Affairs & Watchmaking Expert at Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, as well as the Secretary-General of the Cultural Council. Ravessoud holds an MBA from Business School Lausanne, and as an avid collector of watches, he joined Harry Winston in early 2000 as a PR & events manager, and later became the Head of Communications for the Timepieces division. In 2007 Pascal joined the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie as a Marketing/Development Director. Currently in charge of the External Affairs of the foundation, he also leads its Cultural Council and is the watchmaking specialist within the FHH, where he develops content, lectures, and more, for management schools such as the Sup de Luxe in Paris.