Meet the CEOs Driving the Watch Industry Forward

Behind the visionaries leading AP, LVMH, Piaget, and More

Source: LuxeHouse

As watchmaking enters a new era, shaped by evolving collector preferences and a growing demand for experiential luxury, industry leaders must demonstrate not only technical mastery but also a deep appreciation for the broader luxury ecosystem. This ecosystem is increasingly influenced by the intersection of art, technology, and culture. Today’s watch CEOs are defined by their relentless focus on customer experience, skillfully balancing the preservation of brand heritage with the pursuit of innovation. They face a unique set of socioeconomic and geopolitical challenges, from optimizing global supply chains to crafting compelling narratives that resonate with the next generation of collectors. More than just brand stewards, these CEOs are active participants in shaping the future of the industry. Here are some of the leaders redefining what it means to be a luxury watch executive in 2025.

Patrick Pruniaux – CEO of Ulysse Nardin & Girard-Perregaux

Source: Hodinkee

Among the most intriguing of the leaders in watchmaking is Patrick Pruniaux. Before joining the Swiss watch world, Pruniaux was a key figure at Apple, responsible for launching the Apple Watch in the UK. This intersection of tech and luxury gave him unique insight into the evolving role of the wristwatch in the digital age. Now at Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux, he’s leveraging his tech mindset to reposition these heritage brands for a new generation. Under his leadership, Ulysse Nardin has embraced sustainability through recycled materials and bold storytelling, like the Diver Net concept watch made from fishing nets. He understands the consumer's emotional and digital journey, not just the mechanical one. At WatchTime NYC last October, I was able to talk to some of the team and fell absolutely in love with the Freak series. At an entry point of $27,500, Ulysse Nardin is one of the most exciting, creative, and technical brands out there. At the heart of the watch is the unique oscillator with a large diameter, which powers the flying carrousel rotating around its own axis, a signature of the Freak.

Ilaria Resta – CEO of Audemars Piguet

Source: Revolution Watch

Audemars Piguet's appointment of Ilaria Resta, a former executive at Procter & Gamble, was a signal that even the most traditional brands are ready for a different perspective. Resta brings a consumer-centric lens to AP, focusing on qualitative growth and strengthening the AP House experience, intimate spaces in global cities that function more like luxury lounges than traditional boutiques.