In an intriguing indication that the much-anticipated iWatch may be sold in some of the same channels as traditional timepieces, a top TAG Heuer executive has taken a job at Apple.
While TAG Heuer neither confirmed the executive’s departure nor announced his replacement, Techcrunch and other sources have outed Patrick Pruniaux, the watch brand’s vice president of global sales and retail, for defecting to Apple.
News of Pruniaux’s departure was first announced by Jean-Claude Biver, president of the watch division for brand owner LVMH, in an interview with CNBC.
“They took the sales director of TAG Heuer,” Biver said. “He took a contract from Apple to launch the iWatch.”
He added: “This is a great job. If he would have gone to my direct competitors, I would have felt a little bit betrayed. But if he goes to Apple, I think it is a great experience for him.”
An analyst further told CNBC that Apple wants a “Swiss-made” label for its watch and has been trying to poach other local watch executives.
Pruniaux has been the brand’s vice president of global sales and retail for four years, and prior to that held different positions at TAG Heuer and the brand’s owner LVMH.
Reports say that Apple will release the iWatch in October.
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
