Louis Vuitton 2009 Annual Report Download - page 46

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HUBLOT INAUGURATES ITS MANUFACTURING PLANT
Hublot withstood the economic conditions extremely well. Its unique
positioning, coupled with a very strict control of its inventories at re-
tailers, were the two main factors driving its performance.
2009 saw the inauguration of the Hublot Manufacturing plant in
Nyon, a decisive step in the future development of this high-growth
brand. The integration of the various production steps will give greater
autonomy to the Manufacturing plant. It has begun to produce the
highly innovative UNICO automatic chronograph movement, which
has been completely designed by the Hublot Research and Develop-
ment department.
For the third time in five years, Hublot won a first prize in the Geneva
Watchmaking Grand Prix with the Big Bang One Million Dollar Black
Caviar model. This unique piece, which houses a Tourbillon movement,
is a symbol of the fusion of watchmaking and jewelry. Its white gold
case is covered with an invisible mounting of black diamond ba-
guettes.
In 2009, Hublot continued to demonstrate its strong capacity for pro-
duct innovation: four years after designing the Big Bang line, the
King Power line pushes the original aesthetics of the Big Bang to
the edge with an even more powerful and advanced design. The King
Power will eventually house the UNICO movement. Limited Big
Bang series were also designed in partnership with auto maker
Morgan and yacht builder Wally. The Big Bang line was further
enhanced with the success of its women’s collection. Hublot opened
boutiques with partners in Cannes, Prague, Istanbul, Doha, Saint
Martin, Saint Thomas and Macao.
ZENITH CELEBRATES ITS EL PRIMERO MOVEMENT
In the crisis experienced by the watchmaking industry, Manufacture
Zenith implemented a major program to cut costs and investments
and initiated industrial restructuring to lower its breakeven point.
In 2009, the company celebrated the 40th anniversary of its El Primero
chronograph movement. A symbol of innovation and the watchmaking
precision embodied by Zenith, the El Primero is the only chronograph
movement capable of measuring time to a tenth of a second. The an-
niversary of this movement, which is still unequaled, was celebrated
with the release of a New Vintage collection of watches inspired by
the original model. In order to build on its strong points and its watch-
making values, Zenith began to refocus its collections and marketing
campaigns on its traditional models and its El Primero movement,
which was once again placed at the center of its product offer.
Two boutiques were opened in Moscow and Dubai in 2009.
PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATIVITY
WATCHES & JEWELRY