La Montre Hermès, the watch division of the famous French luxury goods manufacturer, on Tuesday announced the appointment of a new managing director.

Laurent Dordet, who is currently the managing director of the company’s leather goods and saddlery division, will assume this position as of March 1st, Hermès announced in a press release.

The 46-year-old graduate of the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris started his career at Arthur Andersen before joining Hermès International in 1995, starting in the luxury group’s financial division.

In 2002, he was appointed joint managing director of the Hermès silk division, based in Lyon, before being made head of its precious leathers department in 2007 and now his current role in 2011.

Dordet succeeds Luc Perramond, who held the position since 2009. In mid-November, bloggers revealed his departure for the Ralph Lauren, taking on the role of president and CEO of Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co.

Contacted by the AFP, the Richemont group, number two in the world of luxury, confirmed this appointment.

Ralph Lauren watches are manufactured in the framework of a co-company created in 2008 with Richemont, which also owns brands like Piaget, Jaeger-Lecoultre and Vacheron Constantin.