The Transfer Window gets Shattered!

As it is announced today that the man that took the hit for Tag Heuer is now back in the saddle with, wait for it... Gucci!

In one of the shortest job searches in watch executive history, it seems that Stéphane Linder can remove his resume from Career Builder.  There are times when I think you just couldn't make this stuff up, and this is one of them.

Former Tag Heuer CEO Stéphane Linder was unveiled to the press and presented with his "Gucci Jersey" today and with the recent turmoil in the "House of Gucci" stateside (translation - mass exodus of US staff), it is reasonable to assume that "Cause" has been introduced to "Effect".

In fairness, Mr. Linder worked his way up with Tag Heuer and was a Tag Loyalist, which made his sudden departure unsettling to say the least.  But also, when reviewing how things have unfolded prior to that, somewhat predictable.  Mr. Linder is more on the technical side, he is not really a finance/marketing guy which is really what Gucci's bread and butter is.  So whether or not this is a "rebound romance" or "true love" remains to be seen, but I certainly wish Mr. Linder the best of luck.

In the wake of this it seems that we can draw one of two possible conclusions:

1.  This has been in the planning stages for some time and was possibly even somehow connected to Mr. Sofisti stepping down in the manner that he did.

2.  Perhaps, in fact, what is unfolding is a bit of a full-scale transfer?

I know that it's a nutty idea, but stay with me here sports fans:

What if...

Michelle Sofisti was named the next CEO of Tag Heuer?  He is a member of the Biver tribe and if you think of qualified, capable folks out there footloose and fancy-free, he would certainly fit the bill for a brand like Tag Heuer.

The world does indeed work in mysterious ways, and stranger things have happened.  Nobody on the outside could have predicted Jean-Frédéric Dufour moving over to Rolex.  Yet it all seemed to move with a (dare I say it) predetermined smoothness.  Almost as if it was a series of puzzle pieces that Rolex and LVMH worked collaboratively to assemble.  There has been a slightly longer "lag time" here, but that could be down to things like possible non-competes, etc. 

So we shall wait, and we shall see.  Suffice it to say, in regard to the next CEO for Tag Heuer it is clear that "those who know won't say, and those who will say don't know."

I would not necessarily bet the farm on this, but if Sofisti does become the Tag Heuer CEO - you owe me a Coke ; )

The Transfer Window Opens, Elvis has left the Building

I am perhaps a bit too sentimental, so I hope that I can be forgiven a bit of disappointment in hearing the news of Michelle Sofisti's departure from Gucci and essentially from Kering which leaked Wednesday morning.

Some of us view the world of watches and the people who inhabit it in an idealized light.  I am often found needing to remind myself that for the people drawing paychecks this is a business and it is important that we try to keep things in perspective.  Sooner or later (with very, very few exceptions) you will be informed that your services are no longer required.  Whether you are told this directly or in a passive aggressive manner, you will move on.  As we say in the US, the only 2 certainties in life are death and taxes.  It would seem for those running watch brands it is that not only are you replaceable, you will be replaced.

By all accounts, Michelle Sofisti has a first rate reputation and has touched a LOT of people in the industry, so my suspicion is that if he were entertaining offers, he would find himself well-secured.  But having said that, the other thing I've heard about Mr. Sofisti is that he is a man with actual interests in life outside of the business.  I think it is safe to assume that he will live happily ever after no matter what he decides to do, but as a watch fan and a Sofisti fan I am a bit sad when I reflect on what could have been.

But as was said in "THE WIRE" -

"Sometimes the Gods fuck with you."

Something new from Zegna and Girard-Perregaux!

This press release is courtesy of the nice folks at Zegna and Girard-Perregaux - THANK YOU!

Monterubello - Encapsulated Timeless Excellence 

July 2011 - The new Monterubello Zegna watch recalls the beauty of the eponymous mountain in the Zegna Oasis. A preserved landscape where flowers bloom with the first sun rays on the hillsides, and hide when the snow comes, where time is written in the language of changing seasons. The Monterubello Zegna timepiece encapsulates the history of the region of the family and expresses the passion of Zegna for its history and ancestors.

The Zegna coat of arms was in fact officially created in 1939 when the founder Ermenegildo Zegna was made Conte di Monterubello.

Courtesy of Zegna

The Monterubello watch is a classic and conveys the eternal Zegna style. Gildo Zegna created this new line and took inspiration from a 19^th century pocket watch  (exhibited at the Casa Zegna museum) that used to belong to Michelangelo Zegna, father of his grandfather and watchmaker by trade.

Courtesy of Zegna

The Monterubello Collection is manufactured by acclaimed Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, with whom Zegna has a long-standing relationship. Generations of the Zegna and Macaluso families have proved that collaborations can pass the test of time and that one creation leads to another. The Zegna and the Macaluso families are the faces of innovation: a  passion for tradition and craftsmanship unites these two remarkable companies. Both are in tune with their time and proud of their heritage.

“The collaboration with Gino Macaluso has been extraordinary” are  Gildo Zegna’s words, CEO of the Group. “We started in 2010 with the launch of the Zegna Centennial Limited Edition Watch, and from the beginning I found Gino to be the ideal companion on this journey  as we share common values that are rooted in family tradition. Today the Monterubello project is continued by Stefano and Massimo Macaluso, and I am proud to celebrate this launch with a special tribute to my friend Gino, without whom this would not have been possible. “

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Monterubello Collection

Monterubello Solo Tempo – Rose Gold

-        CASE

Material: rose gold

Diameter: 38.00 mm

Height: 8,52 mm

Crystal: sapphire antireflective

Case-back: sapphire crystal

Water resistance: 3 ATM

-        MOVEMENT

Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0030, mechanical with automatic winding

Calibre: 11 ½’’’

Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz)

Power reserve: min. 46 hours

Jewels: 27

Functions: hour, minute date, seconds

-        STRAP

Material: alligator

Strap size: 22.00/16.00 mm

Strap reference: BC2216-BK60-1BF-F

Buckle: rose gold pin buckle

Buckle reference: BA16-52C

Reference: 38525-52-121-BK60

Monterubello Solo Tempo – White Gold

-        CASE

Material: white gold

Diameter: 38.00 mm

Height: 8,52 mm

Crystal: sapphire antireflective

Case-back: sapphire crystal

Water resistance: 3 ATM

-        MOVEMENT

Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0030, mechanical with automatic winding

Calibre: 11 ½’’’

Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz)

Power reserve: min. 46 hours

Jewels: 27

Functions: hour, minute date, seconds

-        STRAP:

Material: alligator

Strap size: 22.00/16.00 mm

Strap reference: BC2216-BK60-1BF-F

Buckle: white gold pin buckle

Buckle reference: BA16-52E

Reference: 38525-53-122-BK60

Monterubello Chronograph

-        CASE

Material: rose gold

Diameter: 40.00 mm

Height: 12,63 mm

Crystal: sapphire antireflective

Case-back: sapphire crystal

Water resistance: 3 ATM

-        MOVEMENT

Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0032, mechanical with automatic winding

Calibre: 13’’’

Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz)

Power reserve: min. 46 hours

Jewels: 63

Functions: hour, minute date, seconds, chronograph

-        STRAP:

Material: alligator

Strap size: 22.00/16.00 mm

Strap reference: BC2216-BBBA-1BFB

Buckle: folding buckle

Buckle reference: BD16-52I

Reference: 38527-52-121-BBBA