Women’s Day 2025: Celebrating Women’s Mastery In Watchmaking

08 Mar, 2025

Women’s Day 2025: Celebrating Women’s Mastery In Watchmaking

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A Collector’s Delight — Arnold & Son Time Pyramid

Where tradition once held sway and precision reigned, women have sculpted their indelible mark upon the watchmaking industry’s very fabric. Though historically barred from the craft in France and England until 1785, Switzerland embraced female artisans as early as 1690, entrusting them with delicate precision work. Geneva established the first watchmaking school for women in 1843, while other nations followed an astonishing seven decades later. For centuries, women’s contributions have remained largely invisible in this male-dominated field. It is truly remarkable that today, women are taking up prominent leadership positions as CEOs, brand founders, and even creative directors.

Today, on International Women’s Day, we honour pioneers whose innovations drive design, sustainability, and a lasting impact on horology’s future.

1. Kim Siegel – Design Head, Favre Leuba

Kim Siegel is the Head of Design at Favre Leuba and played a crucial role in the brand’s grand revival in 2024. Her journey in horology began at the young age of 14 as an apprentice, and her passion for the field led her to study industrial design. After completing her studies, Kim interned at Oris, where she gained valuable insights into watch design. She quickly progressed from small projects to becoming a key designer, contributing to several well-known collections at Oris.

With a decade in the industry and a foundation built at Oris, Kim’s vision shines through in Favre Leuba’s stunning new timepieces—bold, modern, and deeply rooted in the brand’s legendary past. Her designs honour tradition while pushing boundaries, proving that elegance and strength go hand in hand.

2. Caroline Scheufele – Co-President, Chopard

Caroline Scheufele has been a driving force at Chopard since 1997, breathing new life into the family business established in the 1960s. Her trailblazing Happy Sport collection, introduced in 1993, revolutionised high jewellery by cleverly combining diamonds with steel, an unheard-of idea back then. In 2019, she was awarded the esteemed Designer of the Year at the second Sustainable Style Gala. Scheufele has also spoken out against conventional industry practices and is a vocal supporter of stronger feminine influences within watch design. Under her direction, Chopard not only launched innovative models but also adopted sustainability through the use of 100% ethical, Fairmined gold and recycled metals.

3. Ilaria Resta – CEO, Audemars Piguet

With more than 26 years of leadership experience across industries, Ilaria Resta brings a fresh perspective to Audemars Piguet. Transitioning from the beauty and perfumery sector, she has an impressive background spanning Firmenich SA and Procter & Gamble. Her appointment marks a strategic change of direction for the esteemed Swiss watchmaker, uniting classic craftsmanship with visionary leadership. Resta’s background in digital innovation, brand evolution, and international expansion makes her well-suited to lead Audemars Piguet into the future. Resta has already spearheaded strategic developments, such as creating hyper-feminine Royal Oak designs and moving ahead with advancing material research.

4. Jasmine Audemars – Board of Directors, Audemars Piguet

A pioneer in her own way, Jasmine Audemars made history by becoming Switzerland’s first editor-in-chief before carving her own path into the family business. At 50, in 1992, she became the fourth-generation Audemars to take over the company. Over her incredible 30-year-long tenure as chairwoman, she steered the brand through difficult waters, shaping Audemars Piguet into a global powerhouse. Even though she relinquished day-to-day operations in 2022, she is still very much engaged as Chairwoman of the Audemars Piguet Foundation, carrying on her legacy of philanthropic leadership. In 2024, she was awarded the Gaïa Prize in the “Entrepreneurship” category for her outstanding leadership and continuous and prolific growth of the family business.

5. Nayla Hayek – CEO, Harry Winston and Swatch Group Board Chair

At the helm of the Swatch Group, a watchmaking empire worth over 20 billion dollars, Nayla Hayek is a formidable leader. Alongside her brother Nick, she manages an extensive watchmaking portfolio assembled by her father, Nicholas Hayek. Beyond her corporate leadership, Hayek serves as CEO of Harry Winston since the Swatch Group’s 2013 acquisition. Her varied skills are not limited to the boardroom, she is also a prominent Arabian horse breeder and skilled professional rider, a reflection of versatility and passion in her career and personal life.

6. Anne-Gaëlle Quinet – Head of Complications, Audemars Piguet

Women’s Day calls for celebrating personalities like Anne-Gaëlle Quinet, whose vision and leadership have shaped the global horology landscape. With a solid mechanical engineering and micromechanics background, Anne-Gaëlle Quinet is a master of technical brilliance in watchmaking. Appointed to Audemars Piguet in 2005, she has quickly worked her way to the top of the complications department. Her skills are reflected in intricate watches such as the Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar and the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon. Quinet advocates the blending of new technology with conventional watchmaking, promoting cooperation between artisans and engineers and pushing the limits for horological innovation.

7. Carine Maillard – Director, Fondation du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie

A worthy mention this Women’s Day, Carine Maillard has played a crucial role in making the Fondation du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) a global horology platform commemorating excellence in horology. Under her initiative, the organisation has grown from a regional award function to a global platform promoting Swiss timepiece craftsmanship. By carefully planned exhibitions and international associations, Maillard has established the GPHG as the “Oscars of Watchmaking,” solidifying Switzerland’s leading position in the world of horological landscape.

8. Marie-Laure Cérède – Director of Watchmaking Design, Cartier

Appointed in 2016 as Cartier’s Director of Watchmaking Design, Marie-Laure Cérède has beautifully reimagined classic designs such as the Cartier Tank. Her creative strategy is an equal balance of heritage respect and forward-thinking innovation. Tasked with reimaging classic designs such as the Cartier Tank, Marie-Laure Cérède personifies creative evolution. Her design strategy is an equal balance of heritage respect and forward-thinking innovation. When redesigning the Tank, she concentrated on minute details, maintaining classical touches while adding modern features such as photovoltaic dials. Cérède’s creed that “technique serves aesthetics” is apparent in her perfectionism, such as perforating Roman numerals to facilitate the integration of solar power without destroying the watch’s refined appearance.

9. Catherine Rénier – CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels

With more than two decades of experience in the luxury watch and jewellery sectors, Catherine Rénier was appointed as Van Cleef & Arpels’ CEO in 2018. Her Richemont career since 1999 has been characterised by notable leadership positions, such as seven years as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s CEO. Rénier’s path represents varied experiences from Cartier North America retail development through leading Van Cleef & Arpels growth across Asia Pacific, showcasing her outstanding ability to lead global brand expansion and strategic evolution. As we celebrate Women’s Day, her inspiring career highlights the impact of women in shaping global brand evolution.

All of these amazing women have played a pivotal role in reshaping watchmaking. Their lives demonstrate how passion, innovation, and an abiding dedication to excellence can take an art and elevate it to the level of artistry. This Women’s Day, we celebrate the trailblazing women in watchmaking whose innovation, mentorship, and creativity continue to shape the industry and inspire future generations. These women have not only moved their respective companies forward but have also paved the way for future generations in an ever-evolving industry.