News that Antoine Pin was departing one of the most prestigious positions in watchmaking, after only 18 months as the CEO of LVMH-owned TAG Heuer, came as a surprise to many.
As someone that’s been with the company 23 years, Pin’s abrupt exit, right before LVMH Watch Week 2026 (which took place this past week), seemed odd.
Based on numerous articles, and the fact that TAG Heuer has been reportedly underperforming in recent years, and knowing the previous CEO, Julien Tornare, also exited the position quickly (moving internally to become CEO of Hublot), the general assumption has been that the so-called resignation by Pin, was related to sales performance.
LVMH officially stated that Pin left to “start a new chapter in his career” after a 23-year tenure within the group.
No successor has been immediately named to replace him at the head of the Swiss watchmaker.
When contacted, Pin stated his resignation was a result of “strategic differences,” according to French publication BFM Business.
BFM Business, says they’ve spoken to multiple people employed at TAG Heuer, who suggest at least two employees reported allegations of sexual and moral harassment against Pin via LVMH’s internal reporting system. And that there’s an ongoing investigation, of which some details must remain confidential.
Below is translated text from BFM Business’ full article:
Behind the official announcement of a “new professional chapter”, the departure of TAG Heuer’s boss, Antoine Pin, announced on January 16, takes place in a much more sensitive context: that of an internal investigation conducted after accusations of harassment.
On Friday, January 16, TAG Heuer, owned by the LVMH group, announced the departure of its CEO, Antoine Pin. After 23 years with LVMH and only a year and a half at the helm of the watch manufacturer, he is leaving his position. In press releases, Antoine Pin officially announced his decision to “begin a new chapter in his career.”
Behind the scenes, the story is quite different. According to several internal sources close to the matter, this sudden departure followed a report filed through the group’s internal whistleblowing system. An investigation was then launched after reports from employees alleging instances of psychological and sexual harassment.
In response to these revelations, the LVMH group entrusted the investigation to an independent external firm tasked with conducting a thorough inquiry. This move was very well received by the employees involved, who wish to remain anonymous and do not want to discuss the details of the events they claim to have suffered in the press.
The report’s findings have not been made public due to confidentiality rules governing this type of procedure. However, the employees involved, all staff members at the TAG Heuer watchmaking company and still deeply affected, assert that the allegations have been acknowledged as true during the investigation. Contacted by BFM Business, they stated they were “very relieved” by Antoine Pin’s departure.
The group was extremely responsive to our reports. I was afraid I wouldn’t be listened to, that I wouldn’t be taken seriously… but no, I really received strong support. For me, it’s exemplary. I feel protected and, in such a context, that’s very important,” explains one of the Tag Heuer employees, still in shock.
TAG Heuer is the flagship watch brand of the LVMH group and occupies a central position, with a range spanning from €1,600 to over €100,000. It is worth noting that it is the group’s pure watch brand that has best withstood a challenging market, thanks in particular to its solid fundamentals, well-established global distribution network, and international visibility maintained through powerful sports partnerships, most notably Formula 1, with which the brand has a long-standing relationship. TAG Heuer also presented three new models at LVMH Watch Week in Milan: the TAG Heuer Split-Seconds Chronograph, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph, and the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Marine.
The departure of Antoine Pin, after only a year and a half at the helm of TAG Heuer, therefore comes at a time closely followed by the teams and partners of the LVMH watch division.
When contacted, Antoine Pin declined to comment on the detailed reasons for his departure from BFM Business, citing only “strategic differences.” TAG Heuer and LVMH have only confirmed his departure and the upcoming announcement of his successor.
The full BFM Business article, in French, can be found here.
Professional Watches has reached out to TAG Heuer for comment, and will update this article if we receive any additional information.
Photo by TAG Heuer.
