Talking Watches With François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO Of Audemars Piguet

Today marks the final day of François-Henry Bennahmias’s 29-year tenure at Audemars Piguet. He began as a junior salesman in the French market, carrying a briefcase full of watches “hoping to sell one or two per week” to a willing retailer, only to seldom be paid. He departs as the global CEO of a multi-billion dollar brand, beloved the world over. And today, on his last day at Audemars Piguet, we are proud to publish Talking Watches with François-Henry Bennahmias.

And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to our channel. Thank you!

#hodinkee #audemarspiguet #watches #talkingwatches

[PixelPerfect]

Best thing about Ben as an interviewer is that he just lets the guests talk, no interruptions and side stories

[watchesandburgers]

Hodinkee's been hit or miss lately, but this episode is an excellent one. Francois-Henry seems honest, interesting, articulate, and a good story teller, which is important for a person in his position. He took AP from also-ran brand to monster hype watch numero uno. Congratulations and best wishes.

[Brandon-youtube]

This guy is incredibly in tune with the mainstream for his age. Savvy and aware of changing trends and culture. Most AP pieces are not my style but he is a master marketer

[SpookyConcepts]

This is an *incredible* interview. To take a struggling brand to the most coveted watch today is an amazing feat, and hearing about how he did it, it all makes sense. The strategy was perfect

[noahadairnat]

Excellent interview. Mad respect for Francois and not just what he’s built, but how he built AP. Hard work, building strong relationships. The real deal.

[FTWciaran]

Francois is certainly a character. A smart one at that. Really good episode, sad to see him leave AP.

[nixtrsharma]

100% Agree about the last statement. Yes, there were watch forums and watch magazines in the 2000s, but Hodinkee was probably the one that made the watch industry mainstream. There's good and bad thats come of that, but they were definitely ahead of the rest.

[sumitkar]

This is Hodinkee at its best - Francois is a generational CEO

[frankmalcolm]

This is a master class on how to run a business well. Better than the best TED talk or commencement speech out there. Well done.

[currencyworld]

Francois seems like a genuine guy who is passionate about the brand and undoubtedly very good at his job. That being said, the differences between him and Ben are stark. On the one hand, you have the side of the watch industry representing traditional collectors and connoisseurs. On the other, you have the more casual consumers buying into the hype and marketing. The latter is certainly indicative of the direction AP has taken in recent years.

[Thinkaboutit]

The last 30 seconds were emotional! Without Ben, there could have never been a watch world like we have today!

[Lockeness]

Two takeaways: (1) this man is a marketing genius and (2) don’t buy hype; today’s trash might be tomorrow’s treasure

[MrShinobi]

I appreciate that he went into details of AP's HUMBLE beginnings and ultimate rise to success. Nowadays, new and upcoming Brands, particularly the Micro Brands, get alot of flak from the Watch Connoisseurs and even the Community. They forget...the APs, Rolex, Vacherons etc of the day, were once NOTHING!!

[Sabrermk]

Videos like this take me back to a place when I first got into watches and binged on the previous Talking Watches instalments like an addict. Nostalgia rush.

[liangliangsansan]

The ending of this video is truly touching!

[Junaid_Patel]

Thanks Hodinkee to have great personality on show Francois rocks👍🏻

[mahmoudghoneim]

Francois is a business legend, best of luck in your next adventures which we hope it will be still watch related. Between Mr. Biver and Francois the watch world made the popularity it has today.

[cesarcarrera]

I went to AP AD before COVID, put my name on their “list” for a RO. A few weeks ago I found out I have to start the process again. As a watch enthusiast and collector, I am totally over this brand and watching this CEO just solidified those feelings. Celebrity endorsements do not appeal to me and I don’t think they appeal to most true watch geeks (maybe I’m alone on this).

[dielalex]

Unbelievable - no idea how I missed this until now… this was a great one

[steini]

This educational interview was simply fabulous. What a journey Mr Bennahmias has had. As a watch collector, pilot and now semi-retired businessman, I fully agree and understand what it takes to build a brand. Persistence and stubbornness come to mind, which you seldom see in many of today's "get rich and famous fixation" among many wanna-be start-up companies. Un grand merci à vous deux.