Arthur Lemoine is a discreet man, little known to the public, yet he wields considerable influence in the watch world. Managing Director of the Galeries Lafayette group’s watch division, this 33-year-old heads no fewer than 17 fine watchmaking and jewellery outlets, along with 170 Louis Pion / Galeries Lafayette stores across France. In other words, he is a heavyweight in the French watch landscape, and his decisions carry a great deal of weight for watch brands.
On this page
- Mr Lemoine, what has your career path been?
- Is watchmaking a world you feel passionate about?
- Which watch are you wearing for this interview?
- What is your group’s greatest watchmaking success?
- What is your favourite watch complication?
- Besides watchmaking, what other passion do you have?
- What is your dream car?
- What is your favourite wine?
- How would you define luxury?
- Which brand best embodies luxury, in your view?
- Who inspires you?
- How many people work for the Galeries Lafayette group?
- What quality do you value most in your colleagues, and in people in general?
- Is there a quote you particularly like?
- By the Royal Quartz clock on rue Royale, what time is it?
The reopening of the rue Royale boutique in Paris, where he welcomes us for this interview, and the launch of a new watch concept store in the Marais district of Paris have put this epicurean and passionate cook in the spotlight.
We meet this leading figure of French watch retail.
Mr Lemoine, what has your career path been?
I joined Galeries Lafayette in 2010. I was fortunate enough to join the family business after my studies. I started in perfumery, then ran the food department, and today I head the watch business.
Is watchmaking a world you feel passionate about?
It is a world I already knew well on a personal level, one that has always fascinated and interested me, and since joining Louis Pion / Royal Quartz I have had the chance to see this trade from behind the scenes.
Which watch are you wearing for this interview?
I am wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso that I was given for my 18th birthday. I really like this model because I think it has aged beautifully. And I still enjoy wearing it just as much.
What is your group’s greatest watchmaking success?
When this boutique reopened (Royal Quartz on rue Royale, editor’s note), we were lucky to have the support of all the brands we had historically worked with, and we were also able to welcome new ones. In particular Jaquet Droz, one of the oldest brands, dating back to 1738. We were very proud to welcome it into this new boutique.
What is your favourite watch complication?
I really like skeleton watches. What I appreciate is that they let us see what is usually hidden inside a watch. You can see all the work and all the expertise that go into making a watch.
Besides watchmaking, what other passion do you have?
I love food! And above all I love cooking. Whether on my own, with family or with friends. In fact, I also cook a lot with my children, which gives me the opportunity to pass this taste on to them.
What is your dream car?
I like cars, and I have a particular soft spot for classic cars. I really like the 1960s Fiat 500. I find it has a rather fun “vintage” charm, and it is quite simple when you think about it.
What is your favourite wine?
When you love cooking, you generally love entertaining too. And wine goes particularly well with those moments. I am very fond of Bordeaux, especially Château Beauregard, a Pomerol with great subtlety.
How would you define luxury?
I believe the greatest luxury is undoubtedly having time… and also knowing how to take your time…
Which brand best embodies luxury, in your view?
That is quite a difficult question to answer, because I think this is precisely what makes our profession, our world, so rich. Each brand has its own personality and its own history. And what I enjoy when I meet the people committed to each brand is also understanding and learning the story of every one of them.
Who inspires you?
My answer will be rather personal, because the people who inspire me enormously are my grandparents. They passed on a number of values to me, in particular the value of hard work and human values. They also gave me a taste for retail and a love of customers. Yes, they are the ones who have inspired me most.
How many people work for the Galeries Lafayette group?
We have roughly 10,000 employees across France.
What quality do you value most in your colleagues, and in people in general?
What I really appreciate is the team spirit that drives all our employees. And the quality that I consider one of the most important is honesty. I think that is what lies at the very foundation of any human relationship.
Is there a quote you particularly like?
I really like this line from Simone Veil: “I am not one of those who fear the future!” Coming from a woman like Simone Veil, with the life story that was hers, it is surely a wonderful lesson in both optimism and faith in life. I find it truly inspiring.
By the Royal Quartz clock on rue Royale, what time is it?
I believe it is time to welcome you and to meet.
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