PRESS RELEASE

WatchTime Announces New Editor-in-Chief; Thompson to Become Editor-at-Large


Beginning March 1, 2016, longstanding WatchTime Editor-in-Chief Joe Thompson will assume his new role as Editor-at-Large. Mr. Thompson steps down as Editor-in-Chief after a successful 16-year run at the magazine’s helm, and he will remain with the publication as a writer and reporter in a part-time capacity. Blending passion for watches and the watch industry with journalistic integrity and in-depth reporting, Joe Thompson helped establish WatchTime Magazine as the gold standard in specialized international watch magazines. His esteemed 38-year career within the industry recently earned him a lifetime achievement award at the 2016 Gem Awards.

Mr. Thompson will continue reporting and writing major features for WatchTime Magazine in addition to his Last Minute column. As Mr. Thompson explained, “I am going back to my first job and first love – writing and reporting.” Mr. Thompson welcomes the change as a chance to pursue other interests within the watch industry while continuing to support and work with WatchTime Magazine in his new role.

Mr. Thompson and Mr. Gerrit Klein, CEO of Ebner Publishing, parent company of WatchTime Magazine, devised the move together as part of a long-term strategy intended to further support the magazine’s dominant print presence with a more integrated digital environment. To that end, WatchTime Magazine has appointed Mr. Roger Ruegger as the new Editor-in-Chief.

J. Thompson & R. Ruegger - WatchTime
Thompson (left) becomes Editor-at-Large; Ruegger (right) becomes WatchTime’s new EIC.

A Swiss native, Mr. Ruegger joins WatchTime following fifteen years in the watch industry as a writer and creative director specializing in integrated digital content and online platforms. He has also contributed to WatchTime over the past two years, including the “Dive Watch Wednesday” series for WatchTime.com. Mr. Ruegger will split time between Switzerland and the U.S., enabling him to efficiently report on news and product developments from the heartland of the watchmaking industry. “My goal is to further develop WatchTime with the team and to emphasize our current strengths – reinforcing WatchTime’s status as America’s #1 watch media brand,” stated Mr. Ruegger. “I am thrilled to employ my experience to maintain the high level of excellence and to develop an even greater synergy between our print, event and digital platforms.”

Mr. Thompson and Mr. Ruegger will join the rest of the WatchTime editorial team at Baselworld 2016, covering watch industry news and other horological developments.

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