Manuel Emch is a prominent Swiss watch industry executive and consultant known for his expertise in brand development, design-led strategy, and artistic collaborations. Born in 1972 into a family with deep ties to the horological world—his mother was Arlette-Elsa Emch, a former high-ranking Swatch Group executive—he developed a multi-disciplinary background that combines business acumen with artistic sensibilities. He studied design at the Art Center Europe in Vevey and earned a Master’s degree in business from the University of Lausanne (HEC).
Emch’s professional career began to garner international attention in 2001 when, at age 29, he was appointed President and CEO of Jaquet Droz within the Swatch Group. As the group’s youngest CEO at the time, he is credited with revitalizing the historic brand, establishing its modern aesthetic identity, and creating iconic models such as the Grande Seconde. During his tenure, he also served on the Swatch Group Extended Management Board, overseeing markets in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In 2010, he transitioned to the independent brand RJ-Romain Jerome as CEO and Artistic Director, where he pioneered the concept of “storytelling” watches and launched highly publicized collaborations with pop-culture icons like Super Mario and Pac-Man.
In 2017, Emch established “Le Büro,” a business consultancy focused on the luxury and watchmaking sectors. Through this platform, he has played a pivotal role in the dramatic turnaround of Louis Erard, serving as a delegate of the Board of Directors and managing director. His strategy for Louis Erard focused on making high-end horological crafts, such as grand feu enamel and hand-turned guilloché, accessible at lower price points through collaborations with acclaimed watchmakers like Alain Silberstein and Vianney Halter. Additionally, he has served as a strategic advisor and chairman for the Raketa/Petrodvorets Watch Manufacture in Russia.
In 2020, Emch co-founded Kollokium alongside friends and fellow industry insiders Barth Nussbaumer and Amr Sindi. Positioned not as a traditional brand but as a project-based platform, Kollokium was created to explore “neubrutalist horology” and unconventional design free from the constraints of established brand histories. The platform’s first release, Projekt 01, featured a distinctive three-dimensional dial composed of 468 hand-applied luminescent cylinders. Beyond his commercial ventures, Emch is active in the academic community, having initiated the Chair of Watch Design at the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD) and serving on various cultural and scientific councils within the industry.