Louis Vuitton 2005 Annual Report Download - page 48

PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATIVITY
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LVMH 2005 WATCHES AND JEWELRY
CHAUMET CAPITALIZES ON ITS ICONIC LINES. Rigorously
maintaining its strategic target, Chaumet continued its highly sustained
and targeted growth in its priority countries and cities. In Japan, France,
South Korea, London, Geneva, Taiwan, Russia and Dubai, each store
improved productivity.
After Osaka at the end of 2004, Taipei was the site of a new store opened
in 2005.
The iconic lines Class One and Liens, both now available in watches and
jewelry, were revitalized with original and accessible designs. The Frisson
line of prestigious jewelry was reinterpreted to form the basis of a jewelry
collection. Chaumet also expanded its offering of watches with the
introduction of the automatic Chronograph Dandy.
TRENDS FOR THE BUSINESS GROUP’S OTHER BRANDS
Fred continued its targeted expansion in Japan, where the brand is
highly successful, as well as in France and South Korea. The Success,
Move One and Pretty Woman collections were enhanced with new designs.
While continuing its very steady growth in Japan, De Beers opened
two stores in the United States, on Fifth Avenue in New York and Rodeo
Drive in Los Angeles, as well as a store located in the Printemps department
store in Paris. The brand also launched Radiance and Talisman, two new
diamond collections ranging from high-end jewelry to jeweled items.
Omas, the Italian specialist in writing instruments, is making progress
in Italy and the United States. After the legendary 360 pen, the historic
Arte Italiana line has just been relaunched.
OUTLOOK Organic revenue growth and rigorous management
are the priorities of each company and each market of the business
group in 2006. Growth will be fostered by a major program of inno-
vations, which will focus primarily on the iconic lines of each brand.
TAG Heuer will deploy its technological expertise to revitalize its
legendary Carrera (Calibre 360), Monaco (Monaco 69) and Aquaracer
(Calibre S) lines. Manufacture Zenith plans to enhance its Open product
offer, and will introduce a sports line at the Basel Trade Show along
with the Traveller, a very complicated movement with minute repeater.
Dior Watches will expand its Christal line, and launch new versions of
Chiffre Rouge and D de Dior. Chaumet plans to introduce a new “Catch-me”
(Attrape-moi) jewelry collection and expand its watch offering for Dandy.
In terms of markets, the most significant investments will be made in
the United States, Greater China and Japan. New sales resources have
been set up in India, the Middle East and Russia.
Star Tourbillon from Zenith:
the first “high-fashion”
chronograph
A star among stars, the first high-fashion watch
from Zenith is absolute elegance and the ultimate
luxury: a tourbillon movement adorned with
high-caliber pure diamonds and a total weight
of 9.8 carats. This watch masterpiece allies two
technical achievements—the El Primero movement
from Zenith and the tourbillon, the highly complex
watch mechanism that Zenith is the first house to
offer to women. And because technical perfection
does not exclude dreams, a star of diamonds
replaces the bridge of the tourbillon, while
117 diamond baguettes adorn the case and
112 round diamonds decorate the face.
ZENITH ACCELERATES ITS GROWTH By combining watch-
making expertise, a spirit of luxury and modern aesthetics, Manufac-
ture Zenith has confirmed its potential. Again in 2005, it significantly
boosted its revenue and gained market share in the high-potential
segment of upmarket watches. The recently designed Open concept,
which reveals the heart of its famous El Primero movement, became
the flagship line. Highly recognizable, this line was successfully devel-
oped in the Chronomaster and Port-Royal ranges and gave rise to a women’s
version.
Since 2004, Zenith has also earned a solid position in the market for
highly complex watch movements by developing an offering of Tourbil-
lons. The Starissime, the first women’s Tourbillon, was launched in 2005.
DIOR WATCHES—THE SUCCESS OF CHRISTAL Dior Watches
continued to boost its image with the assistance of designers from the
fashion house. After the introduction of the automatic Chiffre Rouge line
(Dior Homme by Hedi Slimane), the D de Dior jewelry line (designed by
Victoire de Castellane), the high-potential Christal line designed by John
Galliano was successfully rolled out in September. With this watch-
maker’s collection, a highly original alliance of steel, crystal and
diamonds, Dior now has an emblematic product that very clearly differ-
entiates the brand in the fashion watch market.
Fred: white gold,
diamond, sapphire
and peridot Night ring.