TEMPORIS International Awards Hosts Exclusive Pre-Event in Neuchâtel
Zurich, September 28-th, 2023: The 10-th Anniversary of TEMPORIS International Awards (TIA) Gala, an event dedicated to the watchmaking industry, will take place in Zurich on October 26. Recently, TEMPORIS hosted a pre-event in Neuchâtel, bringing together an exclusive selection of experts, opinion leaders, and representatives of the international watch industry for an inspiring exchange of views.
The pre-event took place on the picturesque lakeside of the Hotel Beau-Rivage in Neuchâtel, the capital region of Haute Horlogerie for many Swiss brands . It was intended to be an elegant introduction to the upcoming TEMPORIS International Awards gala in late October and to give guests the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas. TEMPORIS founder Dan Vardie welcomed an exclusive group of guests to introduce them to the concept and idea of independent awards for selected masterpieces of the watch industry.
In a panel discussion, Jean-François Mojon, Technical Director at Cyrus and founder of Chronode, Carole Forestier-Kasapi, Movements Director of TAG Heuer, Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, and independent watch designer Stefano Macaluso spoke about their experiences, passion, and inspiration. All these personalities are members of TEMPORIS Hall of Fame, the first and only Hall of Fame dedicated to the best master watchmakers, designers and inventors in the world of haute Horlogerie. Kari Voutilainen and Stefano Macaluso are also a members of the TIA International Jury 2023.
When asked about the voting process, Stefano Macaluso replies: “In today’s world of watchmaking, we see a mix of both small independent craftsmen and famous watch brands, each with their own unique styles. It’s a thriving time for the industry, but also one that sparks debates. By treating both sides equally, the voting process helps create a balance. Involving the public underlines the global spread of watchmaking culture, from Switzerland to regions like Europe and Japan.”
Dan Vardie emphasizes: “The event’s main goal is to ensure that both large and small brands have a fair shot. Even big names should compete on a level playing field. It is also important to us to shine a spotlight on the talented watchmakers behind these renowned brands and make them the face of the industry.”
Jean-François Mojon shared his perspective on life as a watchmaker, saying: “Watchmaking is a lot about creativity and innovation. We are at the service of the brand, so we have to bring something new with quality and excellent service. But it’s truly a team effort. The invitation to this event was a good opportunity for me to step out of the mountains, and for my team, it’s a nice recognition that we are doing something well and are on the right track.”
Carole Forestier-Kasapi discussed her journey in a male-dominated industry, stating: “The watchmaking industry is very conservative, and there aren’t many women on the technical side of watches. Being born into a watchmaking family helped shape my path, and I decided early on to become a watchmaker. For me, the most important thing is to be creative and to contribute to watchmaking by constantly improving watches.”
Kari Voutilainen shared his thoughts on inspiration and his life as a watchmaker, saying: “It’s not complicated to become a watchmaker, but finding inspiration can be a challenge. My best day of the week is Monday. As for my life as a watchmaker, it’s a continuous journey of exploration and creativity. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of horology.”
The pre-event in Neuchâtel was a successful start to a series of gatherings aimed at bringing together inspiring personalities from the watch industry to exchange ideas and insights. In view of the enthusiasm that was felt in Neuchâtel, TEMPORIS announces with great pleasure to make this exclusive event a cherished tradition and to repeat it next year. Organizer, Dan Vardie, looks forward to continuing the TEMPORIS mission to celebrate the artistry and innovation of watchmakers worldwide.
For press information please contact
IRF Reputation AG
Stefan Mathys
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+41 43 244 81 49
All the pictures from the event are available here.
