The president of the Swiss Watch Federation will discuss challenges at the EPHJ

He is exactly the opposite of empty promises and he is everywhere, accessible and open. There is no watchmaking event that does not benefit from Pasche’s contribution through his punctual, reassuring and particularly warm presence. He is all kindness but also has the natural authority of “those who know” as well as the respect that comes with competition. With his knowledge of co-contracting and his expertise in intellectual property and brand rights, Pasche embodies the sector’s struggle to protect its values of excellence around the world. He knows the ins and outs of federal authority. Indeed, his professional career started at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property and he quit when he was vice-president.

Reinforcing Swiss Made

Pasche is a brand and design specialist. After finishing his law degree, he took on a PhD programme and chose “Swiss Made” as the subject of his thesis, published in 1988 by Neuchâtel-based editor “Les Editions Ides et Calandes”. That was quite premonitory of what he would specialize in later on in his career and it is exactly what he needs for his current role as president. Indeed, he joined the Swiss Watch Federation as director in 1993 and became president after the late François Habersaat. From the early 2000s, following an increased awareness in watchmaking, his role as president was to reinforce the Swiss Made label which is defined by Swiss law as 50% of a watch movement’s value. Whilst its reputation preceded the Swiss Made label, legislation on this matter was only introduced in Swiss law in 1971. The law was reinforced in 1992.

Jean-Daniel Pasche

The Swiss Watch Federation backed awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the whole of the watchmaking sector and that became stronger from the 2000s in their fight for the Swiss Made label to be recognized as 60% of watch movements’ value. Writing about this here is easy but in reality, it required no less than a “euro-incompatible” modification of an article of law.

In addition, the change was difficult to implement within federal governing bodies and also went against the agreements Switzerland had signed with its neighboring countries. A general meeting at the end of 2007 resulted in the peaceful but enthusiastic drafting of a document that was endorsed by the members of the Federation with the aim of caring for the whole sector’s economic interests.

Awareness raising rapidly gained ground in other sectors. Watchmaking values are contagious and they certainly influenced the Parliament vote on June 21, 2013 that reinforced the importance of the Swiss Made for the whole economy. The day the “Swissness” reform was passed by a surprising majority, after four years of intense debate, was historical. The reform aimed to revise the Federal Law on the Protection of Trademarks and Indications of Source (LPM in French) and the complete revision of Federal Law on the Protection of Coats of Arms and Other Public Signs (LPAP in French).

Swiss excellence in the world

Pasche was the right man for the job in this political and economic galaxy interspersed with national interests and pressure. He is a determined and convincing negotiator and represented his sector what with members representing 90% of Switzerland’s watchmaking jobs.

In addition to the Swiss Watch Federation’s other struggles such as the one against international counterfeiting, the revision of this law was a significant event. The question is whether it will influence Swiss jobs, since the 60% value henceforth required by the Swiss Made label means that dealings with foreign subcontractors will diminish. A visit to Palexpo from June 2 to 5 2015 will probably provide answers to these questions. Indeed, more than 850 exhibitors, mostly watchmaking SMEs, have confirmed their attendance. They will introduce their international novelties together with other micro technical fields and MedTech. Their main contribution will be, however, to make Switzerland’s greatest yearly professional event the place to be.

“Watchmaking’s great challenges” – round-table at Espace N77. 14:30 to 15:30, June 2, 2015.

Participants: Xavier Comtesse, Philippe Dufour, Jean-Daniel Pasche, Vincent Daveau –
Moderator: Joël A. Grandjean

Free registration on www.ephj.ch or at the reception office for “roundtable discussions and conferences” at the entrance.

EPHJ-EPMT-SMT, from 2 to 6 June in Palexpo Geneva.