CEO Talks

Dear Julien Tornare, what does a mechanical watch mean to you, and which watch are you wearing today? For me, a mechanical watch is very meaningful because it has a heart, it has a heartbeat. It measures time, and time is probably one of the most incredible notions in the world today. It's almost magic what was…

Mr Ekdahl, how did you go from a top Swiss brand like IWC to a small watch start-up like Leica? Few people know this, but this is actually my second time at Leica. After completing my studies in Sweden, I was working in Saarbrücken as a postgraduate in the 1990s when I saw an advertisement…

In September 2024, Antoine Pin was appointed as the new CEO of TAG Heuer, returning to the brand he worked for at the beginning of his professional career. Shortly afterwards, it is announced that TAG Heuer will replace long-time sponsor Rolex as the official timekeeper of Formula 1 in 2025. After more than 20 years,…

With Gregory Kissling – the man who, over the course of more than 20 years at Omega, played a leading role in product development, including the revival of the Calibre 321 and the creation of Calibre 1932, the first movement to combine an integrated chronograph with a minute repeater – a fresh impetus is entering…

Laurent Dordet has been with Hermès for 29 years, having started in finance before transitioning into silk and textiles, followed by exotic leather, tanneries and leather bags. Describing himself as having had ‘five different lives’ within the company, he has been at the helm of Hermès’ watchmaking department as the CEO of Hermès Horloger since…

At 29 years old, Federico Ziviani is one of the youngest to lead a company in the industry – and not just any. As CEO of Gerald Charles, he is a breath of fresh air that strikes the balance between preserving the legacy of watch design legend Gérald Charles Genta and driving innovation. This year…

Vanguart is a brand founded in 2017 by Axel Leuenberger, Jérémy Freléchox, Thierry Fischer and Mehmet Koruturk, who designed and produced a completely new tourbillon mechanism on their own in just three years. The Blackhole displays the time in an unconventional but utterly ingenious way. This year saw the launch of the young brand’s second…

Over the last few decades, Rado has established itself as a leader in the watch industry with the processing of ceramic and is now a pioneer in this field. The watchmaker now offers a colour palette of over 20 colours in ceramic production - including gold-coloured ceramic. No other brand can boast such an extensive…

When you talk to Catherine Rénier about watches, you immediately sense the enthusiasm, deep respect and humility that the CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre feels for watchmaking. We met Catherine Rénier in Munich on the occasion of the new boutique opening on Munich’s prestigious Maximilianstrasse, the world-famous shopping street that counts Chanel, Hermès, Ralph Lauren and many…

A couple of shots as a car backfires abruptly break up our interview. With a smile, Wilhelm Schmid apologises: "James Bond sends his regards." Next door, collector Fritz Burkard is showing off one of the most famous Aston Martin Coupés in the world: an original from the film set, a DB5, which was intended to…

Matthias Breschan, the CEO of Longines – one of the most successful watch brands in the Swatch Group – travelled from Zurich to Sylt, Germany's northernmost island, especially for this day. The occasion was the brand's new pop-up installation, taking place at the seaside resort of Kampen this summer. We took the opportunity to meet…

Ben Küffer, CEO and co-founder of the Norqain brand, is the wunderkind of Swiss watch start-ups. No other young watch brand has been able to establish itself so successfully so quickly. Only founded in 2018, Küffer was already able to secure an exclusive partnership with the renowned movement manufacturer Kenissi in 2020. A short time…