Zenith watches on waitlists as sales surge

Bloomberg

Customers seeking to buy Zenith brand watch models including the Chronomaster Sport and Defy Skyline are now having to join waitlists as sales for the Swiss brand surge.
“We have a shortage and there is very little chance to get one without a long waiting time,” Julien Tornare, the president and CEO of LVMH-owned Zenith, said. The Zenith models join brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe with watches where demand outstrips supply, forcing customers to join waiting lists with retailers.
The manufacturer has revived interest in the brand thanks to newer releases like the Chronomaster Sport and retro pieces including Chronomaster Original with tri-coloured subdials.
Zenith watch sales are also rising overall, Tornare said, with sales in the first 7 months of the year up about 45% compared with last year’s record performance, which was highest since the storied Swiss brand was acquired by LVMH in 1999.
“It’s very positive in an environment which is still not perfect,” Tornare said.