Geneva-based Romain Jerome announced on December 9 that Manuel Emch has been appointed CEO of the company. Emch formerly served as CEO of Swatch Group brand Jaquet Droz. Emch left Jaquet Droz after 8 years at the helm. Born in Switzerland in 1972, Emch studied design at the Art Center in La Tour de Peilz before gaining a Master’s degree in business at Lausanne University’s Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC).
Emch replaces Yvan Arpa who left Romain Jerome in July. Romain Jerome is known for creating unusual and sometimes controversial timepieces selling at high prices. Under Arpa, the company produced a wristwatch with a rusty case made with pieces of the Titanic, another priced at $300,000 that did not tell the time, and this year one called “The Truth About Roswell” that incorporates moon dust into the dial. At Jaquet Droz, Emch won design awards for timepieces that are generally refined and elegant. It will be interesting to see what this new partnership produces.
New Romain Jerome CEO Manuel Emch
Romain Jerome’s “The Truth About Roswell”
A classic Jaquet Droz timepiece
