When Catherine Renier became CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre in 2018, it meant she had to begin making regular trips to the watch manufacture’s base in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux. A traditional centre of watchmaking, the region is also known for a natural, rugged beauty. “I love the Vallée de Joux. I think it is an amazing part of the Maison’s identity and values,” Renier told Robb Report Malaysia while she was on a visit to Kuala Lumpur. “The beauty of the landscape, the heritage, the collective aspect—this has been very important throughout my six years in Jaeger-LeCoultre, and how everything always rotates around the Vallée and the people there.”
Founded in 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre became an extremely important producer of precise watch movements early in their history. Today, watches are valued more for their artistry than as essential tools, but the manufacture continues to espouse the importance of precision. “Precision is a sense of excellence. It’s looking for the perfect fit, the ultimate level of detail, and I believe it is something that should be driving most of our decisions—generally speaking, in life—and be a driver of perfection in action,” Renier says. “For a watchmaker, it’s quite natural. The precision is part of what they look for every day in their work.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned as a leader?
I would say trust is very important. And collective thinking. I think working together with the team and trusting them in their precise and detailed knowledge of their work is an important part of being a leader and embarking everyone on the same road.
Where is your favourite place to holiday?
The next one. What I love is the trip planning and the anticipation. Sometimes more than the trip itself.
What does luxury mean to you?
Craftsmanship. And handiwork.
Do you like to drive or be driven?
I like to drive.
What is your most treasured possession?
Of course, family and friendships. But bringing it back to objects, for me, it’s the memories and the object associated with it. So that’s where gifting, and the celebration of moments in life, is really important. Because you look back at your wedding, your 18th birthday, and the object associated with that is a tangible way to remember and to pass on afterwards to your children. Those, for me, are the most important testimonies of the steps in your life.
What does success look like to you?
Peacefulness.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Playing the piano perfectly.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Try, take risks, and work hard.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Look at my phone!
When was the last time you truly unplugged?
When do we, nowadays? Nobody does, right? Very often in the plane. But also on the drive to the Vallée. I love this drive; it’s beautiful. I drive myself, so I cannot be on my phone. Sometimes I make calls, but the connection is not very good—so it’s enough to make urgent calls, but not enough to make non-essential calls. And you can see, if you make the drive regularly, the passing of time. You see autumn, then the leaves have fallen, then the first snow, and then spring… Time passing, the moments of the year.
More photos of Jaeger-LeCoultre
