Global automotive and marketing leader, and renowned watch collector, joins one of the world’s most internationally diverse juries in contemporary watchmaking.

Zurich, July 2026 — The TEMPORIS International Awards is proud to announce the appointment of Olivier François to its International Jury, further strengthening one of the most respected and internationally representative judging panels in contemporary watchmaking.

A leading figure in the global automotive industry, François has spent more than two decades redefining how international brands connect with audiences. Widely regarded as one of the most influential marketing leaders of his generation, he has created some of the most iconic advertising campaigns of the modern era, collaborating with cultural figures including Bruce Springsteen, Clint Eastwood, Bob Dylan, Eminem, Leonardo DiCaprio and Harrison Ford.

His contribution to marketing and brand leadership has earned him induction into both the Advertising Hall of Fame and the Forbes CMO Hall of Fame. In 2026, he also received Autocar’s Editors’ Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership and his contribution to one of the automotive industry’s most compelling modern brand transformations. He is also a member of the AUTOBEST MANBEST Hall of Fame, a unique gallery celebrating some of the most accomplished senior executives in the automotive industry.

Yet behind one of the world’s most celebrated marketing careers lies another lifelong passion.

For decades, François has been a devoted collector and student of haute horlogerie, assembling a collection of more than one hundred exceptional timepieces spanning both the great historic maisons and some of today’s most admired independent watchmakers. His appreciation for mechanical ingenuity, craftsmanship and timeless design has made watchmaking a constant source of inspiration throughout his professional journey.

For François, automobiles and watches share a common philosophy: both transform technical complexity into objects capable of creating emotion. It is this perspective — where engineering meets design, innovation meets heritage, and performance meets storytelling — that makes his contribution particularly valuable to the TEMPORIS International Jury.

“The strength of the TEMPORIS International Awards has always been the diversity of perspectives represented within our jury,” says Dan Vardie, Founder of the TEMPORIS International Awards. “Watchmaking today is influenced by far more than traditional horology. Design, technology, mobility, luxury and culture all shape the way we experience exceptional timepieces. Olivier represents that intersection better than almost anyone. Beyond his extraordinary professional achievements, he is first and foremost a genuine watch enthusiast whose passion and insight will bring tremendous value to our international jury.”

François joins an exceptional panel that already includes internationally respected personalities such as Jean-Claude Biver, Roberta Naas, Roger Ruegger, Jeff Dodds and Andy Palmer, alongside leading master watchmakers, journalists, collectors, executives, retailers and entrepreneurs from across the global watch industry.

His appointment reflects TEMPORIS’ continued commitment to building a jury that mirrors the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of contemporary watchmaking — bringing together outstanding individuals whose expertise extends across industries while sharing a common appreciation for mechanical excellence, creativity and innovation.

The announcement comes as TEMPORIS continues to expand its international presence beyond its annual awards ceremony in Zurich through a growing series of curated global gatherings connecting watchmaking with innovation, mobility, technology and culture.

The next chapter will unfold in London this August, alongside the Formula E World Championship, where the winner of the Masterpiece Presented at Watches & Wonders 2026 category will be officially unveiled before collectors, industry leaders and international media.

Now in its thirteenth edition, the TEMPORIS International Awards has become one of the world’s leading independent recognitions in watchmaking, bringing together an international community of experts and enthusiasts to celebrate the people, brands and creations shaping the future of horology.

With Olivier François joining its ranks, the jury gains not only one of the world’s most accomplished brand leaders, but also a lifelong advocate for the values that define great watchmaking: craftsmanship, innovation, authenticity and the enduring power of mechanical excellence.

WORLD EXCLUSIVE
An exclusive conversation with Olivier François, the newest member of the TEMPORIS International Awards Jury.