WatchPro: ‘ Audemars Piguet rumoured to be recruiting a new CEO’

[kingofthehill]

Article
Audemars Piguet rumoured to be recruiting a new CEO
WatchPro, 24 January 2022
https://www.watchpro.com/audemars-pi...ing-a-new-ceo/

Referenced source material
Audemars Piguet is on the hunt for a new CEO
Astrid Wendlandt, Miss Tweed, 23/01/2022
https://www.misstweed.com/detail-article.html?id=84

[illiguy]

[Getting my popcorn ready].

[Champagnepapi]

Holy moly how do I apply? I’ll sort out the allocation and code 1159 problem


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HMHM]

Is he being ousted or simply retiring?
FHB did well. Sure the CODE and the BP were slightly underwhelming upon release, but the CODE is getting better nowadays and the BP…. It’s only 250 units.
Overall the brand has gotten better.
Would be disappointed if he was ousted.

[Reign]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Is he being ousted or simply retiring?
FHB did well. Sure the CODE and the BP were slightly underwhelming upon release, but the CODE is getting better nowadays and the BP…. It’s only 250 units.
Overall the brand has gotten better.
Would be disappointed if he was ousted.

100% agree.

The guy has overall done a great job
- increased brand visibility
- AP popularity has increased
- focused product line and sizes
- promotion of diversity within AP

He is great with clients as well so really hoping that he’s leaving on his own terms


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by Reign

100% agree.

The guy has overall done a great job
- increased brand visibility
- AP popularity has increased
- focused product line and sizes
- promotion of diversity within AP

He is great with clients as well so really hoping that he’s leaving on his own terms


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Without knowing anything else, it seems as if he is. Especially given opportunity to sunset at a defined time (i.e., at year end), if speculation is reality.

FHB is polarizing, but you can’t dispute the results.

[PaulB330]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Is he being ousted or simply retiring?
FHB did well. Sure the CODE and the BP were slightly underwhelming upon release, but the CODE is getting better nowadays and the BP…. It’s only 250 units.
Overall the brand has gotten better.
Would be disappointed if he was ousted.

Originally Posted by Reign

100% agree.

The guy has overall done a great job
- increased brand visibility
- AP popularity has increased
- focused product line and sizes
- promotion of diversity within AP

He is great with clients as well so really hoping that he’s leaving on his own terms


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by illiguy

Without knowing anything else, it seems as if he is. Especially given opportunity to sunset at a defined time (i.e., at year end), if speculation is reality.

FHB is polarizing, but you can’t dispute the results.

Lest we forget his elimination of authorized dealers and then introducing joint venture partners (Material Good) where he's a silent partner, or the strategy of selling directly to the grey market to drive up demand for pieces.

Looking forward to not having to be forced to buy watches that are undesirable just to be able to be considered for ones that I'm genuinely interested in, aka the Westime and Material Good sales approach.

[macrowatch]

Serious reply:
Maybe I'm old school. But I'll wait for the reporting from WSJ/FT/Bloomberg for news. (With all due respect to a journalist who looks like she has good credentials) If he is voluntarily and it was his choice, good for him going out on top and what an amazing job at the helm.

Non-Serious reply:
If forced out, maybe he declined too many requests by the controlling shareholders to obtain openworked ceramic watches for their collection and this is a power move to obtain watches!

[VogelPhoenix]

Outrage about the Black Panther notwithstanding, I don't see an executive of one of the majors that I'd prefer to FHB. The move to boutiques/AP houses cuts out a lot of the AD BS, service is mostly great, and I like the pace at which the product is evolving. Not going crazy, but always moving forward.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Outrage about the Black Panther notwithstanding, I don't see an executive of one of the majors that I'd prefer to FHB. The move to boutiques/AP houses cuts out a lot of the AD BS, service is mostly great, and I like the pace at which the product is evolving. Not going crazy, but always moving forward.

I didn’t love the BP. However, it’s as ultra-limited, SOLD OUT, and I believe went to a good cause. So, it’s not as if AP’s production and human capital was overly diverted. Plus, innovation in the BP will surely be leveraged in future, insanely cool pieces.

I am objective about FHB … dislike how he loves the personal lime-light, but he’s been net-positive for AP. Plus, his hubris also helps to innovate the brand to the extent possible.

[subtona]

Because of the black panther?

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by subtona

Because of the black panther?

Or maybe because the top secret iron man version does not, in fact turn into an iron man suit like Tony Stark's wrist gear did when fighting Loki. R&D Fail.

[HMHM]

The timing of the leak is weird as well just before the new releases are meant to be unveiled this week. I felt FHB brought energy to an industry which has generally be very conservative and traditional. Sure there were times he had too much spotlight to himself, but AP needed someone who was bold and unconventional to challenge Patek. Whatever happens, thank you FHB for the good memories over the last few years. Great products such as the openworked and ceramic QP and good customer experience with corporate owned boutiques are certainly highlights with him at helm of AP.

[fullofboats]

Based on his performance and the article saying he’s leaving “next year” (ie. 2023) this is probably FHB’s choice.

He seems a bit young to retire so my bet is he’s onto his next challenge.

[edo]

He's pursuing Marvel career full time... The Turtleneck will be missed in the watch world...

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Reign

100% agree.

The guy has overall done a great job
- increased brand visibility
- AP popularity has increased
- focused product line and sizes
- promotion of diversity within AP

He is great with clients as well so really hoping that he’s leaving on his own terms


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed.

Plus you can probably add the fact that he/AP didn't furlough any of their UK staff (maybe elsewhere in the world too but I can only speak for the UK/AP House) during the pandemic as a tick in the positive box for FHB.

[dauster]

since he seems to be successful at AP I am sure he leveraging this into a job with higher pay and maybe more visibility since he seems to love the limelight.

[maciej]

Originally Posted by GW44

Agreed.

Plus you can probably add the fact that he/AP didn't furlough any of their UK staff (maybe elsewhere in the world too but I can only speak for the UK/AP House) during the pandemic as a tick in the positive box for FHB.

I think part of that is that most boutiques were understaffed as it is.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by maciej

I think part of that is that most boutiques were understaffed as it is.

How much staff is needed to tend to the empty display cases

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Reign

100% agree.

The guy has overall done a great job
- increased brand visibility
- AP popularity has increased
- focused product line and sizes
- promotion of diversity within AP

He is great with clients as well so really hoping that he’s leaving on his own terms

Can we honestly assess if popularity has actually increased due to his efforts, or if it's due to the fact that every random person thinks they can make a killing "investing" in watches now?

[AperolSpritz]

Can't say I'll miss him.
Just can't get over the Marvel partnership.
As for Code, a new line was needed but it should have been so much better.
And the fact AP continues to endlessly produce millions of variations of the same design will have to stop someday...
Don't get me wrong AP is my heart brand but I don't like what FHB has done with it. It might be more hype but it feels diluted to me.

[Champagnepapi]

Originally Posted by illiguy

I didn’t love the BP. However, it’s as ultra-limited, SOLD OUT, and I believe went to a good cause. So, it’s not as if AP’s production and human capital was overly diverted. Plus, innovation in the BP will surely be leveraged in future, insanely cool pieces.

I am objective about FHB … dislike how he loves the personal lime-light, but he’s been net-positive for AP. Plus, his hubris also helps to innovate the brand to the extent possible.

You’re right. And look at the resale “value”:



I think it’s horrible, but as a concept it can be accepted. Just maybe not for that price lolol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GreenLantern]

You can't really point to any "resale values" these days.

Find me anything that isn't absurd right now... other than Longines values.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

You can't really point to any "resale values" these days.

Find me anything that isn't absurd right now... other than Longines values.

I don’t know why, but this made me chuckle. So, matter of fact, and so accurate. Poor Longines.

[Champagnepapi]

Originally Posted by illiguy

I don’t know why, but this made me chuckle. So, matter of fact, and so accurate. Poor Longines.

Don’t forget Gshock …. It’s top shelf value too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[squall1]

I kind of like is DGAF attitude, but I'm pretty new to the brand and not really attached to what might have been before. I can see how his style and some of the decisions would rub that crowd the wrong way. My personal interaction with the brand has been great and they make watches I really want, so he's good in my book.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by illiguy

I don’t know why, but this made me chuckle. So, matter of fact, and so accurate. Poor Longines.

[Mighty_Kraken]

He will probably be the CEO of LVMH Patek and his first step will be initiating a collaboration with Disney for the new Nautilus. It will be amazing! ��

[Qimchi]

Yup..this news somehow was leaked but yet we still dunno what will be the 2022 models.

[Amateur]

It seems AP did well business - wise under his leadership. In the end, you can't always please everyone with the decisions you make. Let's see what the future holds, exciting!