In a move that signals the luxury conglomerate's commitment to vertical integration within its watch division, LVMH has acquired a minority stake in Swiss movement manufacturer La Joux-Perret. The deal, announced today from La Chaux-de-Fonds, strengthens an existing commercial relationship that has already yielded tangible results for TAG Heuer and Tiffany & Co.
For collectors following the industry's supply chain dynamics, this partnership represents more than financial maneuvering. La Joux-Perret brings serious horological credentials—employing 140 specialists in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the manufacture controls its entire value chain from development through final assembly, producing automatic movements, complications, and high-precision solar quartz calibers for prestigious watchmaking houses.
The collaboration between LVMH's watch brands and La Joux-Perret isn't new territory. Since 2022, TAG Heuer has partnered with the manufacturer on solar quartz movement development—technology now powering the brand's Aquaracer and Formula 1 collections. The partnership extends to Tiffany & Co.'s Rope watch, with other LVMH maisons set to benefit from La Joux-Perret's technical mastery moving forward.
What makes this acquisition particularly interesting is its structure. Rather than a full buyout, LVMH's Watches Division—comprising Hublot, TAG Heuer, and Zenith—has taken a minority position while establishing a deepened commercial partnership. La Joux-Perret maintains its independence and existing client relationships, while parent company Citizen Group retains majority ownership. It's a model that preserves the manufacturer's Swiss identity and creative autonomy while providing LVMH's brands with enhanced production capabilities.
Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of LVMH's Watches Division, emphasized the partnership's focus on sustainable high-precision movements, particularly leveraging solar energy expertise—a technology gaining traction among collectors seeking reduced maintenance intervals without sacrificing Swiss manufacturing standards.
The strategic rationale becomes clearer considering LVMH's broader Swiss manufacturing footprint of 16 manufactures. This partnership reinforces those investments at the heart of the watchmaking industry while providing La Joux-Perret with long-term development prospects.
For collectors, the implications extend beyond corporate structure. Access to La Joux-Perret's movement development capabilities could accelerate innovation across LVMH's watch brands, potentially introducing new complications and technical solutions that blend traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern manufacturing efficiency. The emphasis on solar quartz technology particularly signals where the industry may be heading for sports and daily-wear collections.
As consolidation continues to reshape the Swiss watch industry's supply chain, partnerships like this demonstrate how major groups are securing technical capabilities while respecting the independence that makes Swiss manufacturing distinctive. The question now is what innovations emerge from this strengthened alliance.
More info on Manufacture La Joux-Perret here.
