Audemars Piguet has poured cold water on a report in luxury newsletter Miss Tweed that said the watchmaker’s CEO, Ilaria Resta, is stepping down.
“We are aware of recent rumors regarding the departure of our chief executive officer and want to state that these claims are unfounded,” said a statement sent to JCK. “Audemars Piguet is proud to have Ilaria as its CEO. Since assuming this role, Ilaria has made a profoundly positive impact on the organization and the business.”
Despite the denial, Miss Tweed is standing by its story—noting that Resta just joined the board of Prada Group as an independent non-executive director.
“This appointment indicates that Resta has started looking for opportunities elsewhere,” Miss Tweed editor Astrid Wendlandt wrote on LinkedIn. “It’s quite unusual for the CEO of a major luxury player to join the board of another important luxury company, even if AP is in watches and Prada is specialized in fashion and leather goods.”
Resta, one of the few women to head a Swiss watch company, has led the family-owned brand since 2023.
(Photo courtesy of Audemars Piguet)