EIL 06: A CEO’s Perspective on the Fine Watch Making Industry with Jean-Marc Pontroue

Welcome to the International Fine Watchmaking exhibition – better known as the SIHH, a conference held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, where luxury brands worldwide premiere their latest watches, often the culmination of years of intensive research. The SIHH is also an opportunity for watchmakers and designers, the representatives of an entire creative team, to share their passion for watchmaking one-on-one. It is a private event for trade visitors only.

• What are your biggest challenges right now and how do you see yourself overcoming them?
  “Right now, we are trying to penetrate some challenging markets where we have high competition. Another challenge is about how you attract the best people to your team.”
• Compared to other watch companies, how does Roger Dubuis position itself?
  “It has a differentiation aspect with its design – it doesn’t look like any other brands on the market in terms of machinery. We are in the super premium segment and regularly sell high-ticket products.”