Marc Hayek, cautious but confident

WtheJournal: You have three brands under your stewardship. How are they faring?

Marc Hayek: Touch wood, 2014 has got off to a good start as all three brands under my responsibility are posting growth, and in Swiss francs which means even stronger results in local currencies.

W: Are you happy with the year's new launches?

MH: At Breguet, we're continuing our research into magnetism, silicon, high frequencies and chronometry, opening up vast areas with huge potential. We presented fewer new models at Breguet this year than last, all the better to return in 2015 when highlights will include the tenth anniversary of the Tradition collection. We have some red-hot irons in the fire, so to speak! At Blancpain we're introducing several magnificent watches this year. My personal favourite has to be the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe flyback chronograph. I love this watch because it’s a combination of interesting materials - it's made from ceramic - a modern feel, diving and tradition. The movement inside is completely new. We had actually planned to launch this model last year but I wasn't entirely satisfied with it, so we ironed out the details and are launching it now, in 2014. At Baselworld we also unveiled the Villeret 12 Day Flying Tourbillon, the highlight of Blancpain's novelties this year. Villeret is Blancpain's biggest collection and where we sell the most new models. As for Jaquet Droz, we really went to town! Everyone else is getting into iwatches, well I'm making a mechanical smartphone! Our "signing machine" is the size of a smartphone and a worthy successor to the early automata, in particular The Writer with its system of cams, which Pierre and Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz, assisted by Jean-Frédéric Leschot, made in the late eighteenth century. We're still working on the project. So far we have the first functional, presentable prototype. When it does come to market, each one will be offered as a bespoke piece with a personalised signature and decoration. Naturally this will take time. We must record the owner's signature and programme it to be reproduced by the different cams. The customer will also be able to choose how he or she would like their "signing machine" to be decorated. It's meticulous work.

W: How do you see business developing this year?

MH: We can't say it often enough: you can't have sky-high growth every single year! Not to mention the risks associated with the strong Swiss franc. We must also contend with factors beyond our control. By that I mean I have no control over the result of federal referendums, or whether or not fire breaks out at ETA, as it did last December in Granges, or certain foreign political leaders' attitude. All of which of course influences our business.

W: You seem very cautious. So was your uncle, Nick Hayek, at the press conference in March.

MH: What I can tell you here and now is that Breguet, Blancpain and Jaquet Droz have been performing well since the beginning of the year, gaining from a few percent to more than 10%. I'm convinced that all three brands will increase their sales in 2014, not just in local currencies but in Swiss francs too. Which in the current international climate is quite an achievement. But I always prefer to err on the side of caution.

W: What is annual production at your three brands?

MH: We produced around 30,000 watches last year at Breguet, between 20,000 and 25,000 at Blancpain, and between 4,000 and 5,000 at Jaquet Droz. And we intend making even more progress across all three brands this year.

Marc Hayek was talking to Julie Mégevand