What proportion of turnover does your jewellery collection launched two years ago represent for Roger Dubuis?

Not enough yet! This new activity is enjoying strong growth and a team of 30 people are working within the company to develop it, yet implementation is a vast process. Just consider the fact that for a single ring model, we have to offer 15 different sizes! Nonetheless, we are continuing to enrich the collection.

Is watchmaking creativity suffering from that?

On the contrary. We are presenting over 160 new models at the SIHH, as well as several hundred variations on existing models. Over the past ten months we have also created five new calibres: two chronographs, one flyback, one automatic and two tourbillon movements, including a tiny 10-lignes constant force flying tourbillon for ladies. In all you will see 16 new models equipped with a tourbillon, all naturally carrying the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.

Which is your major market for the time being?

Switzerland. We had no more watches available at the end of the year of during the first three months of January, with the Swiss market having experienced 168% growth in 2005 compared with 2004, whereas our worldwide average was “just” 50%.

Do you plan to keep up the pace in opening new boutiques?

The pace is going to accelerate quite dramatically, since we currently have seven boutiques and our medium-term ambition comprises around fifty projects, half of them for 2006-2007. We have just inaugurated a boutique in Tokyo and will soon be doing the same in Kiev with a 400 sq.m.store and in Beijing with 265 sq.m. premises, while the one on Place Vendôme will be extend over 514 sq.m. on three floors. Roger Dubuis boutiques will be opening in Sydney, Athens and in the United States, where we have just changed distributor.

Why did you create the entity named MRD Luxury Industry?

The emergence of MRD Luxury Industry* is part of the new corporate identity I wanted to create last year in order to head up our product diversification. This entity thus encompasses both the jewellery and accessory activities as well as the new high-end watch brand that will be launched in 2008. Meanwhile, we need to consolidate the implementation of our jewellery collections and focus on the third extension phase of the Manufacture, since we are already cramped in the 14,000 sq.m. provided by the recently completed Phase II!

Have you worked with partners for this new investment?

I do indeed have a new associate: my grandson. Seriously speaking, banks are delighted to lend me money.

Still no sponsoring planned to heighten brand awareness?

It is a question of priorities and philosophy. For the time being we are struggling to meet demand from our clientele and we do not need to gain consumer awareness by artificial means. Our current problem is not selling but producing. We regularly receive all kinds of propositions from car races or participants in the America’s Cup, but nothing has come of it. If we identify with a sport, we want to be a principal sponsor and to commit ourselves for several years. We have however just formalized a longstanding friendship with Ralf Schumacher, who thus now becomes our ambassador. Otherwise, sponsoring is probably the only field in which we are not shifting into high gear!

*Editorial note : MRD stands for Manufacture Roger Dubuis