It’s Official: Michel Nydegger Takes the Helm of Greubel Forsey

Michel Nydegger joined Greubel Forsey in 2016 and worked his way up the ladder until becoming the brand’s Head of Marketing and Communications in 2021 (just after Antonio Calce took over as CEO).

As leader of the marketing and communications team, Nydegger was tasked with driving the brand’s revenue and communicating the expansion of the design zeitgeist of the famously unique and artful watchmaker into more and more “inclined,” almost landscape-like dial executions (buoyed by Calce’s ideas of entering the, dare I say, sports watch market in Greubel Forsey’s inimitable signature way).

At the time of the “soft” announcement in April, the company said: “Greubel Forsey will remain independent, with Robert Greubel, Stephen Forsey, and Antonio Calce continuing as shareholders.”

However, since the above statement left many questions unanswered, we went to get the scoop from the new CEO himself.
 

What is your vision for Greubel Forsey over the next five years, and how do you plan to achieve it?

Our vision remains aligned with the founding principles set by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey: to continually add something of great value and significance to the history of watchmaking. This commitment guides our craftsmanship, R&D, and design. Over the coming years, my focus is to uphold this legacy, fostering an environment where our most ambitious creations can come to life.
 

Which markets or demographics do you see as key areas for growth, and how do you plan to approach them?

As an independent company, we prioritize sustainability over growth. Our strategy is to maintain a balance in production and distribution, ensuring that each timepiece finds its perfect place globally without compromising our values.
 

How do you plan to engage with both loyal collectors and new customers, particularly in a rapidly changing market?

Our limited production allows us to be agile and responsive. While we don't follow market trends, our enduring quality builds lasting relationships with clients. We continue to engage deeply with our loyal collectors and introduce our brand to discerning new customers through bespoke experiences.
 

So, with your CEO path fully cleared, what can you do now that you might not have been able to do before?

I'm excited to spend more time with Greubel Forsey's artisans; to learn from them and showcase their extensive knowledge and experience in their respective fields.
 

Is there a particular timepiece from Greubel Forsey’s collection that you personally admire or that holds a special significance for you?

I have always greatly admired the Invention Piece 1 because of its radical departure from anything I had ever seen in watchmaking. Although it debuted in 2008, and is no longer in our collection, should it be presented today, it would be just as innovative and unique as it was then. This timepiece, to me, is truly timeless, which is a very rare quality for any object to have.
 

You can learn more at the Greubel Forsey website.

(Photography by Pierre Vogel)