Mauro Egermini is the momentum and drive behind Schwarz Etienne watch brand.
1. Describe briefly your childhood
A second generation Italian and son of an antique dealer who has specialized in antique watches and clocks since 1973, I was lucky enough to be rocked to sleep by the ticking of clocks, morbiers and pocket watches. Surrounded by friends all the time, when I was not out of the house with them, my playground was divided between the love of the car and the discovery of horological complications. Indeed, I had the chance to be able to play since the age of 5 with watches that are currently found only in museums or private collections of wealthy enthusiasts. Some examples of products that have marked me: Minute repeaters, Jacquemart, chronograph's, tourbillons perpetual calendars and moon phases, (so many hands), quarter repeaters and grand sonneries of diverse generations. Enamel cases with extreme details, cases made in multiple colours of gold...watches from various schools ... What I liked the most after the discovery of the dial functions was to discover the movement kinematics!
2. As a child did you have any driving ambition?
Torn between the need for discovery, creation and the desire to use my hands, I dreamed of becoming a car designer or lumberjack. Which is the link between the two? I still do not have the answer today!
3. What is your first significant memory as a child?
In terms of events at that time, the death of Pope Paul 6 in 1978 (the election of the new Pope lasted an eternity for my taste and I was waiting to see the white smoke ...) and the Iran-Iraq war which began in 1980 which made me aware of the limits of human nature ...
If not the first girl I fell in love at 8 years!
4. Have you ever had another profession?
My first job after obtaining my master's degree in economics and after more than 200 applications the watchmaking industry (1992 crisis year) was to take care of the management and accounting of two companies active in the production of wine and distribution of beverages. This contributed to the development of my palace.
5. What made you decide to go in the direction you are currently in?
I did not leave any myself any other choice other than to enter this marvelous world which mixed so many aspects design, technique, art, poetry and luxury ... For luxury, I have my own definition:
"The luxury is to make the useless essential."
6. What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?
None, from the moment that there is a logic and that we believe in what we do ...
7. What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, and how did you overcome it?
The loss of my wife and the mother of my children when she was 40 years old.
8. Who has had the strongest influence on you?
My father and spiritually speaking Fox Mulder ;-)
9. What are you most proud of?
Of my children. Everything else is the result of a sweet mixture of work and common sense.
10. What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?
Convictions but not certainties, common sense at all levels, listen before speaking, impose yourself with elegance and work work work ....
11. Name three things on your bucket list.
a) see my children succeed in their love and professional life
b) Achieve a very comfortable level of profitability in the various businesses I am currently working on
c) Turn on all the FIA circuits whether in formula or motorcycle
12. Where do you think the industry is going to be in 10 years’ time?
Much more interconnected and close to end customers and much more flexible (but that's more of a wishful thinking).
To find out more about Mauro Egermini