All Entries in the "People" Category

Outrageous Meets Audacious: Yvan Arpa Joins Jacob & Co.

Former Romain Jerome CEO Yvan Arpa has joined New York-based Jacob & Co. as COO. During Arpa’s tenure at Romain Jerome, the brand produced some of the most provocative timepieces of the decade, including one made from pieces of the Titanic, another priced at $300,000 that did not tell the time, and the moon dust-laced “The Truth About Roswell”. Jacob & Co. is best known for large, colorful, jewel-encrusted watches often worn by celebrities and hip-hop stars.

Swiss Racing Driver Fredy Barth Joins Carl F. Bucherer as an Ambassador

2010 is proving to be a very successful season for Swiss racing driver Fredy Barth. Barth drives in the World Touring Car Championship. At age 16, Barth was told that he was too old to take up racing. Most promising young drivers have years of karting experience under their belts by that age. Fredy did not let the negative advice deter him. Then at age 18, he was diagnosed with lymph node cancer, and again he did not let bad news stand in his way.

Bulova Watchmaking School Co-founder Stanley Simon Dies at 93

The New York Times is reporting that Stanley Simon, who was instrumental in bringing the Bulova Watchmaking School into being, has passed away in Manhattan. He was 93. The School, founded in 1945, became a model for industry-lead rehabilitation of disabled veterans. First conceived as World War II drew to an end, the school trained thousands of veterans in the watchmaker’s art.

Nayla Hayek Named Swatch Group Chairwoman

Nayla Hayek has been named chairwoman of the Swatch Group Ltd., succeeding her father, Nicolas G. Hayek, who died of heart failure at Swatch Group headquarters in Bienne, Switzerland on June 28. She was elected by a unanimous vote of the board of directors on June 30. Previously, she was vice-chairman of the board.

Switzerland Mourns Its Watch “Messiah”

Switzerland has responded to the sudden death of Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas G. Hayek on June 28 with a rare outpouring of grief, praise, and appreciation. Hayek, 82, was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but grew up in Switzerland and spent his entire professional life there. Hayek has been a prominent public figure in the country for four decades and one of the country’s most famous and, ultimately, beloved figures.

Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas G. Hayek Dies at Age 82

Swatch Group AG founder and chairman Nicolas Hayek died unexpectedly from heart failure at his office earlier today. He was 82.

Hayek, a colorful entrepreneur and one of Switzerland’s leading businessmen, was credited with saving the Swiss watch industry.

Carl F. Bucherer and CEO Thomas Morf Part Ways

Swiss manufacturer Carl F. Bucherer, creator of the CFB A1000 movement with peripheral winding rotor, announced Friday that the company and CEO Thomas Morf will part ways with immediate effect. No reasons were given for the departure. Bucherer Group will continue with development and expansion of the Carl F. Bucherer brand.

A Riddle and an Update

When can a speck the size of a grain of sand stop the presses at WatchTime.com? When it materializes in the editor’s kidney. So begins the story of my ill-fated trip to Baselworld 2010. I arrived at Zurich airport on March 16 feeling pretty well, but by the time I had my train tickets, the stabbing pain had started. A doctor visited a few hours later at my hotel in Germany. He dispensed some pain medication and I hoped for the best, but the next morning things were worse.

Jon Omer to Head DeWitt North America

DeWitt has announced that Jon Omer has joined the company and that he will lead all DeWitt activities in North America, including Mexico and the Caribbean. Prior to joining DeWitt, Mr. Omer served as vice president at Harry Winston where he reorganized distribution and grew sales. Mr. Omer also oversaw Bulgari’s growth in North America for more than 10 years. Mr. Omer is Chairman of the American Watch Association and on the Board of Directors of the American Watch Guild.

Hublot Announces New U.S. and Latin America President

Hublot has announced the appointment of Beatrice de Quervain Blanchard as U.S. President. De Quervain Blanchard will join Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver and Managing Director Ricardo Guadalupe to oversee the U.S. expansion strategy. At Hublot, de Quervain Blanchard will focus on gaining market share through a diverse marketing program that will include the opening of new boutique stores, a strong wholesale network and newsworthy communications initiatives.