Arnaud Pezeron is a French entrepreneur and the founder of SYE (Start Your Engine), an independent watch brand established in 2020 near Paris. His professional journey is characterized by a transition from a successful career in product marketing and management to the creation of a horological brand that merges his interests in automotive design and precision mechanics.
Pezeron’s academic foundation was laid at ESSCA Business School, from which he graduated in 1995. He began his career at Reckitt Benckiser as a salesperson before moving into product management roles. Between 1997 and 2000, he worked for Esselte Meto, a leader in retail equipment. He later spent four years at Epson, where he served as a Product Manager and Group Manager, focusing on high-tech consumer electronics and international markets. These early professional experiences provided him with a comprehensive background in commercial strategy, product development, and brand management.
A long-standing fascination with design and timepieces—sparked by a discovery of an Andre Le Marquand Spaceman watch at a flea market—led Pezeron to engage with the watch community long before launching his own venture. He founded the blog montresdesign.com to explore 1960s and 70s design watches. Following his corporate career, Pezeron decided to pursue his own horological vision, which eventually took shape after reconnecting with a designer duo active in the industry.
Under Pezeron’s leadership, SYE was developed with a specific aesthetic known as “Sport Tailoring,” which aims to combine the rugged, mechanical feel of classic motor racing with elegant, refined finishes. A central innovation of the brand is the Fastback system, a unique strap integration method inspired by the “sandwich” construction found in automotive engineering. This system, which Pezeron developed in collaboration with the Manufacture Jean Rousseau in Besancon, allows for tool-free strap changes using a central screw on the caseback.
Pezeron’s approach to the brand emphasizes transparency, independent production, and a commitment to French craftsmanship. SYE watches are designed in France and assembled by the historic Humbert-Droz workshop in Besancon, utilizing high-quality components such as Japanese movements and French-sourced leathers. Since the brand’s launch, Pezeron has remained the driving creative and commercial force behind the company, focusing on direct-to-consumer engagement and the steady expansion of its mechanical and chronograph collections.