“There is a time for learning, a time for doing, a time for handing over, and a time for moving on” Jean-Claude Biver

With these words Jean-Claude Biver has stepped down as CEO of Hublot, the company he has turned into one of the world’s most successful Swiss luxury watch brands.

Jean-Claude’s replacement as CEO is Ricardo Guadalupe, the former Hublot managing director and personal friend of Biver with whom he has been working with for nearly 20 years. The change became effective as of January 1st.

Hublot announced that the move was planned “a long time ago in consideration of Mr. Guadalupe’s significant and instrumental achievements together with Mr. Jean-Claude Biver since joining Hublot in 2005.”

Jean-Claude Biver will become Hublot’s board chairman, and will still be very much involved with strategic thinking and product development. As the official spokesperson he will also continue to be the authoritative voice of Hublot.

“I’ve happily made it safe and sound to the hand-over stage. With the gratification of being able to hand over to a friend and colleague of more than twenty years. And happiness at the prospect of remaining part of the team on matters relating to strategy, products and corporate relations.” Jean-Claude Biver

Biver and the late Nicolas Hayek, CEO and board chairman of Swatch, are credited with saving the Swiss watch industry from the quartz crisis which very nearly succeeded in destroying it.

Biver joined Hublot as CEO and board member in 2004. With a fivefold increase in sales from 2004 to 2007, LMVH moved in and acquired the brand in 2008.

Biver managed to retain Hublot’s exclusivity through strategies such as restricting supply in the face of large demand, citing that “people want exclusivity, so you must always keep the customer hungry and frustrated,”

Over the years the watch industry has grown used to Bivet’s cheery red face being seen all over the world, at Grand Prix circuits for the launch of various Hublot King Power models, at Manchester United for the launch of Big Bang Red Devils and essentially anywhere where there was is an aspiration for Hublot watches.

It’s not yet clear how things will change at Hublot following the reshuffle, suffice to say Guadalupe is likely to have a very different style than Biver.