Jérôme Lambert Returns as Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO: Vision for the Future

Jérôme Lambert on His Comeback as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre and His Plans

In a wide-ranging interview with Monochrome Watches, Jérôme Lambert — who first set foot into watchmaking at Jaeger-LeCoultre and served as CEO from 2002 to 2013 — has returned to lead the Maison into a new era. After serving as COO and then Group CEO of Richemont, Lambert is back at the brand he knows best, with a clear vision for blending heritage, technical mastery, and contemporary relevance.

Homecoming to La Grande Maison

"The first thing that I felt was something very essential, which is: it is a pleasure to be back!" Lambert told Monochrome. "My understanding of luxury and watchmaking, my system of values, my elements of analysis, all of that comes from my first years at Jaeger-LeCoultre." He described the return as "a family gathering where you have the pleasure of recognising and discovering the new members of the family, the new things that have evolved, as well as the new talents who have joined the Maison."

Priorities: Smaller Watches and Refined Movements

When asked about his priorities, Lambert highlighted a move toward smaller watches and movements — a notable stance in an industry often focused on larger cases. "One of the elements on the menu we could adapt is things like smaller watches and movements," he said. "When you are a Maison like Jaeger, it's important to capture this change, but it's never a problem because we have them in the catalogue." He also noted growing interest in ladies' watches and the success of the Duoplan program.

The Collectibles Program: Heritage as Experience

Lambert spoke passionately about the fourth Collectibles collection, which brings restored vintage watches to collectors. "What was very organic from the start is that we constantly acquired products for our heritage," he explained. The program releases approximately 40 watches per year, each selected and restored to museum-quality standards. "Nothing is better than speaking from the time of the Maison than to show what has been the incarnation of that time," Lambert noted.

On Pre-Owned and Authentication

Regarding a potential Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, Lambert explained that Jaeger-LeCoultre's existing restoration service already provides authentication. "We restore any watch, no matter the era," he said. "Every time we work on a watch, we also give it a certificate of origin." While not ruling out a structured CPO program in the future, the current focus remains on ensuring proper restoration capacity.

Key Quotes from the Interview

• "Jaeger-LeCoultre has a truly unique blend of style, elegance, history and of course, an amazing technical creativity and mastery."
• "The peak of watchmaking is still the peak. There are some functionalities of fine watchmaking that are more available than before, but the peak is still the peak."
• "There's a unique elegance in watches born before 1940... they've been shaping the expression of the Maison."

What This Means for JLC Collectors

Lambert's return signals renewed emphasis on the brand's heritage while embracing contemporary trends like smaller case sizes and growing demand for women's complications. The continued success of the Collectibles program demonstrates the Maison's commitment to celebrating its 192-year history through tangible, collectible pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Jérôme Lambert's background at Jaeger-LeCoultre?
A: Lambert began his watchmaking career at Jaeger-LeCoultre, serving as CEO from 2002 to 2013 before moving to Montblanc and later becoming COO and Group CEO of Richemont. He returned as JLC CEO in 2025.

Q: What trends does Lambert see in the watch industry?
A: Lambert highlighted moves toward smaller watches, growing sophistication in women's fine watchmaking, and the continued importance of heritage and craftsmanship at the highest levels.

Q: What is the Collectibles program?
A: It is a curated selection of approximately 40 restored vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre watches released each year, sourced from the Maison's ongoing heritage acquisition program and restored to museum-quality standards.

Source

According to Monochrome Watches, published July 2, 2025.

Explore more about the brand in our Jaeger-LeCoultre complete guide and the luxury watch collecting guide.