New Partnership

2 minutes read
Brice Lechevalier acquires 50% of GMT's share capital. Numerous opportunities for development.


Press release

 

The Lamunière family, owner of Edipresse, publisher of leading watchmaking magazine, GMT (“Great Magazine of Timepieces”) since 2007, and Brice Lechevalier, chief editor and co-founder of the magazine, have signed a partnership in the framework of GMT Publishing Sàrl. Both parties now each own 50% of the capital share.

Formalised on October 10th 2012, the joint venture concerns all the Swiss and international editions of GMT. In Switzerland, GMT is the only watchmaking magazine published in French/English and German/English. It also edits a special ladies' edition, GMT Lady, and a special large format Fine Watchmaking collectors' edition, GMT XXL.

 
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Brice Lechevalier. DR

According to Edipresse director, Michel Lamunière “GMT is a strategic asset for the Edipresse Group in the development of its media activities focused on the world of luxury and watchmaking, like WorldTempus and the Tatler magazines in Asia. We are convinced that Brice Lechevalier's entrepreneurial spirit, along with his knowledge of watchmaking and extensive media experience make him an ideal partner to lead the company's development projects”.

Brice Lechevalier, who will continue his activities on the operational management side of the company, commented “I would like to thank the Lamunière family for their confidence in me by taking me on as part of GMT's capital, as well as the entire watchmaking industry for its faithfulness and so much shared enjoyment over the past 12 years. The group's solidity and its position in Asia and Eastern Europe will be valuable assets in steering a course towards new adventures”.


New sources of growth

This reinforcement of GMT's capital comes with promising expansion measures, and hot on the heels of the highly visible initiatives by the magazine to institutionalise the 12th art (the art of measuring time) and the creation of the Watch Tour. The concept of the Watch Tour, taken over by the Geneva Tourist Office (www.genevawatchtour.com which is also available in Chinese), enables tourists to visit Geneva following a themed watchmaking itinerary, and to prepare for their visit by checking out the brands and boutiques that interest them beforehand. www.genevawatchtour.com is supported by a media campaign in some 15 magazines published by Edipresse in Asia (and especially in Tatler's nine regional variations).

 

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In the wake of this success, GMT is planning to launch a World version of its famous XXL, targeting more than 100,000 high net worth readers in some 50 countries in a particularly sophisticated manner. Prestigious partners for an exclusive distribution will ensure an incredible global impact for GMT XXL World.

Also on the horizon for 2012, GMT will extend its special Lady edition to include national versions so that Swiss-German readers also enjoy the benefit of the only ladies' magazine completely focused on watch and jewellery making. The usual pocket format of the Western Swiss edition since 2006 will become A4 in the interests of uniformity.

Within the framework of this new dynamic. GMT will once again increase the size of its marketing and sales team this winter, following an initial round of recruitment last summer. Parallel to this, GMT will invest in completely revamping its website in three languages, as well as moving to larger premises in order to entertain clients and partners in greater comfort.