Podcast Summary: Geneva Watch Days 2025 — Michel Nydegger, Greubel Forsey

The Real Time Show | Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
Guest: Michel Nydegger (CEO, Greubel Forsey)
Date: September 5, 2025

Overview

This episode, recorded live at Geneva Watch Days 2025, features an in-depth conversation with Michel Nydegger, CEO of Greubel Forsey. The discussion spans the latest Greubel Forsey novelties, the ethos and unique challenges behind their watchmaking, the importance of independence and innovation, team development, the role of social media, global markets, and Michel’s personal journey into the world of haute horlogerie.

Key Discussions & Insights

Social Media & Brand Accessibility

• Tattoo Reveal: Michel clears up the buzz around his tattoo teased on Instagram—it’s not a watch, but part of a guitar design with a flower motif, inspired by a trip to Miami.

  • Memorable moment: "It was just, I thought it was a bit of fun... it's a part of one of my guitars which has like a flower motif which I ended up getting." —Michel [00:46]

• Connecting with Audiences:

  • Michel emphasizes using social media to demystify Greubel Forsey and show their watches are meant to be worn, not just admired as art:
    • “On social media... I do try to show people that even though Greubel Forsey is considered as like the best of the best or the Mount Everest of watchmaking, that our timepieces are actually made to be worn...” —Michel [01:29]

Leadership Journey & Brand Philosophy

• Path to CEO:
  • Michel’s leadership was unplanned; his journey began with an unexpected opportunity, rooted in passion rather than ambition:
    • "I don’t really have any personal ambition in any of this. I'm just very much in love with Greubel Forsey and I feel like it deserves to be taken care of properly.” —Michel [03:15]
• Vision Alignment:
  • “My vision is almost irrelevant because it’s never going to be better than Robert and Stephen’s vision anyway. So why would I impose something which is kind of redundant in terms of what was already built.” —Michel [04:20]

Independence & Innovation

• Ownership & Creative Freedom:
  • Greubel Forsey recently returned to 100% independent ownership (previously Richemont had a 20% stake).
  • Michel underscores that creative freedom is vital for projects like the Handmade 1 and prioritizes contributing significant advancements to horology over commercial focus:
    • “We really love our freedom because if we didn’t have that, we would have never made a Handmade 1, for example.” —Michel [06:02]

Geneva Watch Days 2025: Novelties Unveiled

• New Models:
  • Advance Contemporary (Stainless Steel): Last edition, 33 pieces, movement retired after.
  • GMT Balancier Convexe: Now in 42.5mm, new red strap for Geneva Watch Days.
  • QP Balancier (Perpetual Calendar): Slimmer, refined version; focus on usability and display clarity, removing less-requested complications.
  • Memorable quote: “When a caliber is closed, it’s going to be closed forever.” —Michel [07:11]

Caliber Development & Product Planning

• Development Timelines:
  • Creating a new caliber can take 3–15 years, depending on complexity.
  • Greubel Forsey operates with a rolling 10-year plan but includes room for fundamental, non-product-tied R&D.
  • Quote: “Movement, construction and design are so closely linked that it’s not one follows the other… the design of the watch is literally just the movement.” —Michel [09:10]

Horological Influence & Industry Trends

• Recognized as a leader in innovation, Greubel Forsey sees its advances trickle down to the broader industry (e.g., hand finishing).
  • Quote: "Twenty years ago [hand finishing] was just not even a thing that people were talking about, right? And now it's...Everyone is." —Michel [12:04]
  • Michel acknowledges some frustration as early pioneers: “When you're the first one doing something, you do all the work and, and then people kind of take over from there.” [12:53]

Personal Roots & Company Succession

• Family Connection:
  • Robert Greubel is Michel’s stepfather, but he resisted joining due to nepotism concerns.
  • His passion grew naturally from family conversations and working closely with Stephen Forsey.
  • Quote: "Back then I did not realize the significance of what he was doing." —Michel [12:58]
• Founder Involvement:
  • Robert and Stephen are no longer involved in day-to-day operations—focus is on mentorship and long-term brand independence.

Team Building & Training

• Talent Development:
  • The workshop is staffed with many young watchmakers trained internally.
  • Hand-finishing remains the most demanding skill and production bottleneck.
  • Quote: "In terms of assembly...everyone's like in their early 20s...But then the training actually happens internally." —Michel [16:25]

Industry Partnerships & Philanthropy

• Legacy Aeon Foundation:
  • Involvement in the Naissance d'une Montre initiative promoting hand watchmaking continues, now with capacity for renewed focus.

Events & Market Focus

• Industry Events:
  • Geneva Watch Days stands out for its relaxed, interactive format, preferred over larger fairs like Watches & Wonders.
• Global Markets:
  • Balanced approach: ~30% Americas, 30% Middle East, 30% SE Asia/Japan, 10% Europe.
  • Partnership with selected retailers for dedicated collector support [20:11].
  • Quote: "It's important for us to have a retail network...even if they want, you know, a new strap or a service, so it's not necessarily about sales, but just for collectors to have easy access to the brand." —Michel [20:21]

Closing Moments

• Busy Fair Life:
  • The demands of Geneva Watch Days lead to constant, back-to-back meetings but reinforce the high interest and engagement from the watch community.
  • Quote (and episode sign-off): "After one day we're like, yeah, it. We're just all over the place and everyone can come and..." —Michel [20:55]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It was just, I thought it was a bit of fun... it's a part of one of my guitars which has like a flower motif which I ended up getting.” —Michel [00:46]
• “On social media... our timepieces are actually made to be worn...” —Michel [01:29]
• "I don’t really have any personal ambition in any of this. I'm just very much in love with Greubel Forsey..." —Michel [03:15]
• “We really love our freedom because if we didn’t have that, we would have never made a Handmade 1, for example.” —Michel [06:02]
• "When a caliber is closed, it's going to be closed forever." —Michel [07:11]
• “Movement, construction and design are so closely linked that it’s not one follows the other... the design of the watch is literally just the movement.” —Michel [09:10]
• "Twenty years ago [hand finishing] was just not even a thing that people were talking about, right? And now it's...Everyone is." —Michel [12:04]
• “In terms of assembly...everyone's like in their early 20s...But then the training actually happens internally.” —Michel [16:25]
• “It's important for us to have a retail network...just for collectors to have easy access to the brand.” —Michel [20:21]
• "After one day we're like, yeah, it. We're just all over the place and everyone can come and..." —Michel [20:55]

Timestamps: Segment Guide

• [00:00] Intro & tattoo story
• [01:19] Social media philosophy
• [02:40] Career journey & CEO transition
• [05:59] Independence from Richemont
• [07:11] 2025 novelties & product details
• [08:55] Caliber development timeframes
• [10:45] Product planning philosophy
• [12:04] Industry influence & original innovations
• [12:58] Personal background & entry into watchmaking
• [14:17] Founders' ongoing roles & long-term vision
• [15:59] Team building & internal training
• [17:19] Hand-finishing and Aeon Foundation efforts
• [18:15] Value of watch events
• [19:19] Global market balance & retail network
• [20:55] Life at the fair & episode wrap

Summary:
This lively episode offers a rare, candid look behind the scenes at Greubel Forsey’s leadership, creative process, and steadfast devotion to artistic integrity, innovation, and watchmaking craft—paired with a refreshing humility. Michel Nydegger’s approachable insights and anecdotes make this essential listening for horology enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.