Haute Time Talks With Julien Tornare About Aaron Rodgers And Zenith’s Latest Watches At The Start Of LVMH Watch Week 2021

The ongoing pandemic forced LVMH to change the format of their highly successful LVMH Watch week for 2021 to a digital one. At the start of it, Haute Time talked with Zenith CEO Julien Tornare about how the pandemic impacted business, teaming up with Aaron Rodgers, and, of course, the new watches the brand is launching; 

– 2020 was a year unlike any other. How did Zenith do in the past year?

2020 was a challenging year for the industry as a whole and for Zenith as well. For Zenith, it was a year of digitalization, we made the most of the situation we were in by staying in contact with our friends, press, retailers all around the world. We have launched Zenith On Air, continued with Dreamhers on Air, celebrating individualism in women in so many fields and supports our philosophy Time To Reach Your Star. In 2020 we have also launched our E-commerce in Europe and the USA. Definitely a very active and digital approach for the brand in 2020. This will definitely continue! 

– How did your role as CEO change, or not, while steering a brand like Zenith through a pandemic?

Going from traveling in all the markets, to staying at home, is not so easy, especially for a CEO like me. I come from the markets and I know it is essential to be in touch with them. I have adapted to being in touch with colleagues at HQ and markets on a regular basis but always being positive and in touch with employees who needed support at a time like this.

– What made you connect to Aaron Rodgers?

Aaron Rodgers is the newest entry to the Zenith Family. We are so proud to announce him as our USA Ambassador. We share common values and he truly embodies our philosophy of Time To Reach Your Star – every day. He is rated the number one quarterback in the NFL, has set many records, been named the Most Valuable Player in the NFL, and led his team, the Green Bay Packers, to victory in Superbowl XLV. Today he continues to challenge himself to be the best and play at the highest levels of the game, as he has for the past decade. Never stop chasing your dream!

– How important are partnerships like the one for Aaron Rodgers, for a brand like Zenith, and what can we expect from it?

Partnerships like the one for Aaron are very important for Zenith. It’s essential that Zenith partners and collaborates with people who share the same vision and values. Like with the DreamHers such as dancer Precious Adams, chef Amandine Chaignot, gymnast Airi Hatakeyama, or Sheila Sim from Singapore, Zenith is building a family of likeminded people who never stop chasing their dream. In particular Aaron’s support and partnership is essential for us. The US is a key market for Zenith, where we need to increase our visibility. Aaron is the perfect ambassador to represent Zenith in the US. Very exciting projects are on the way for 2021 with Aaron so stay tuned!

– Zenith introduced some great new watches at the virtual LVMH Watch Week. What is your personal favorite and why?

My definite favorite is the Chronomaster Sport. I am so proud that Zenith launched this piece. We have been working on this timepiece for quite a few years and we are confident that this watch will contribute to Zenith’s success and visibility this year and in the future. This watch combines so many characteristics and codes that were present in watches from 1969 to the present day. From the 3 colored counters, to the deep black and ceramic bezel to the dot markers, to being able to display and read the 10th of a second. Extreme precision. Activating the chrono is just so much fun to watch and feel. Exciting every time!

– What do you expect the upcoming year will be like for Zenith?

This upcoming year will be a dynamic year for Zenith, where we keep growing digitally, to keep sustaining what we have started in 2020. Product wise, it is also the year of Chronomaster, with a key launch during this LVMH watch week as you know. Throughout the year, we have many exciting launches planned, with a particularly thrilling one in April in the Defy line. Defy, with Chronomaster are the two collections of focus for the Zenith this year.