Following the success of Europa Star’s ‘80th Anniversary Portraits’ column that we ran in 2007, we have decided to feature an exceptional portrait section in this issue as part of our special glamour section. The particularity about these portraits is that there isn’t a man among them. From Germany to Japan, Italy to Australia, France to the United States and the United Kingdom to Switzerland, there are some incredible women moving and shaking the watch business. Europa Star’s network of international correspondents decided to talk with some of the industry’s most talented women to find out how they have succeeded in the male dominated world of horology.

Arlette-Elsa Emch is, without a doubt, the Wonder Woman of the watch industry. Her various titles read like super powers: Member of Swatch Group’s Executive Management Board, President of Calvin Klein watch & jewelry, President of Léon Hatot, President of Dress Your Body, Member of Breguet’s and Glashütte Original’s Board of Directors, Country Manager for Swatch Group Japan and she is also responsible for Swatch Group South Korea.
A Swiss citizen, Arlette-Elsa Emch holds a degree in ethnology and history and has a certificate in journalism. She joined the Swatch Group as Communications Manager in 1992 before being appointed President of ck watch in 1997. In 2002 she added the management of the companies Dress Your Body SA (DYB) and Léon Hatot to her responsibilities, while also joining Swatch Group’s Executive Management Board and the Boards of many of the Group’s brands.
What is the secret to her success? She says there isn’t really a secret, but there are a number of factors that can be found among successful people from all fields. “Firstly, there has to be a strong will and desire to succeed, to go to the top, even if there are - and there are - sacrifices that need to be made,” she explains. “Secondly, 90 per cent of success is hard work - really hard work. Of course, there is a small percentage of luck, being in the right place at the right time, and the rest is ability.”
For women to be successful in business, “It is important to remain a woman and not become a copy of men,” she says. “In today’s world, 80 per cent of purchases, whether necessities or luxury goods, are bought or influenced by women. So women definitely have something to bring to business”. What advice does she offer for other women? “Women today need to do what they want without being scared and questioning everything. Business needs women and women need to be able to access managerial positions for the harmony of all.”
Arlette-Elsa Emch may not possess Wonder Woman’s bullet-deflecting bracelets, truth lasso or invisible airplane, but she certainly has super powers within the powerful Swatch Group thanks to her dedication and sheer hard work. (SF)


Source: Europa Star October-November 2008 Magazine Issue