Interview

The young Norqain brand from Nidau was founded in 2018 at a time when the market did not really need another watch brand – and has therefore taken an unconventional path from the outset: Norqain relies on close cooperation with prominent athletes who not only serve as brand ambassadors but are also deeply involved in…

Certifications play an immensely important role in the watch industry. While some attest to the authenticity of a watch, others serve as a testament to its quality or, more specifically, to the quality of its movement. The most renowned certification in the latter category is issued by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC), headquartered…

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…

Bulgari and disruptive innovation – do they go together? After speaking with Jonathan Brinbaum from Bulgari at Watches & Wonders 2025, I believe they absolutely do. Add a touch of dolce vita and Italian elegance, and the picture becomes complete. Founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, the brand – now part…

Everyone forges their own unique professional path – and Pascal Narbeburu, current Timepieces Director at Van Cleef & Arpels, is no exception. His journey to the position is particularly interesting for two reasons. Firstly, he has worked exclusively for Richemont-led maisons that combine high jewellery and watchmaking: Piaget, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Secondly,…

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…

Let’s start with the most important question. What is it about the jump hour mechanism that so enamours you?  When I started collecting watches in the 1990s I liked ‘odd’ watches, mainly from the 1970s. That meant alarm watches, strangely shaped cases, 24-hour dials, world time – anything out of the ordinary. I am not into 'normal'…

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…

Since its inception in 1995, Roger Dubuis has been a pioneer in the luxury watchmaking industry, continuously pushing boundaries and redefining standards. Through (almost) it all, the company has been home to Gregory Bruttin, who first came to Roger Dubuis in 2002. We caught up with Bruttin to discuss the significant changes in the company’s…

At the start of this year, Ulysse Nardin saw a change in its management. In February, the brand appointed Matthieu Haverlan as its new Managing Director. Having previously established a career with Hamilton and Jaeger-LeCoultre and been part of Ulysse Nardin as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Growth Officer for more than seven years, Haverlan…