2024 was a year of very marked contrasts for the Swiss watchmaking industry, both in terms of trends in its main markets and the performance of key actors in the sector. Export statistics only partially reflect the significant disparities between the results of different watchmaking firms. Moreover, they cannot provide any direct information on subcontracting, […]

The new collective agreement for the watchmaking and microtechnology industries – which took effect a few months ago and is set to run until 2029 – covers 500 companies and nearly 55,000 employees, or 85% of workers in the watchmaking sector. Could you tell us more about the main new features in this collective agreement […]

Geneva Watch Days, a major event in the watchmaking industry, saw a record turnout this year, with nearly 70 exhibitors taking part. Launched in 2020 as an informal and friendly get-together for industry pros, this event has grown into an essential platform requiring meticulous organisation. Emerging brands are particularly attracted to it because of its […]

Dear exhibitors and visitors, Are you looking for affordable and convenient accommodation for your participation in EPHJ 2025?We’ve selected a few partner hotels located right next to Palexpo, offering exclusive rates negotiated just for you! Mövenpick, 4* Hotel: Enjoy a free shuttle service for easy access to Palexpo (a 4-minute ride). Adina, 4* Hotel: A […]

What do SurFunction, Synova and Altair/GelSight have in common? Well, not only do all three have a key role to play in the medical technology of tomorrow but they have just been nominated as finalists in the 2024 Watch Medtech Innovation Challenge. Launched in 2018 by EPHJ and Fondation Inartis, this competition of ideas, which […]

When it comes to micro-injection, Injector’s expertise puts this SME, with just under 15 employees, head and shoulders above the rest. That expertise is underpinned by an incredible mastery of its tools.  “Making a part injectable that originally wasn’t” is how Michel Hoff, the man responsible for business development at the company, sums up the […]

We caught up with Yves Bugmann, who has been President of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) since 1 January 2024, having previously headed up its Legal Division since 2006. Yves Bugmann took over from Jean-Daniel Pasche, who by all accounts is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement! An insider for almost two decades and […]

 The year 2024 draws to a close for all of us with a sense of accomplishment at the end of a year in which the economic situation was not necessarily very easy for all the players in the EPHJ community. The slowdown in the watch market and tensions with the European Union have imposed on […]

Prix Gaïa (Gaïa Prize) winner and renowned master guillocheur Georges Brodbeck has set up his know-how and heritage machinery in the former watchmaking school in Fleurier, founded in 1896. Independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen will be taking Brodbeck’s name and reputation forward as his expertise and values are passed on to the next generation. When the […]

Retiring at the end of 2024? This is a concept many thought would be alien to CEO Nicola Thibaudeau, who has been a constant force and presence in the sector for over 20 years. We also spoke to Gilles Robert, who is preparing to succeed Nicola as CEO. We talked about their memories, plans for the […]