Zenith to shift focus to haute horlogerie, risking around 100 jobs in Le Locle
Zenith, owned by LVMH, plans a strategic move toward the ultra-luxury watch segment, triggering a collective lay-off process that could eliminate roughly one hundred positions at its Le Locle factory.
Zenith, the LVMH-owned watch brand, has decided to reposition itself in the very high-end segment of haute horlogerie. To align its structure with this new direction, the company opened a consultation procedure for collective dismissals. Approximately one hundred roles at the Le Locle manufacturing plant could be eliminated, which would amount to half of the 200-person workforce there.
The restructuring also foresees reductions in the global sales and boutique network. Benoit de Clerck, who has led the company since January 2024, briefed employees, pointing to a difficult market climate, strong currency, US tariffs and weakened demand in key regions, while emphasizing Zenith’s heritage and technical expertise.
Why it matters
The plan could halve the workforce at Zenith's historic Swiss factory and reshape its global sales footprint.
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