🎙Independent Watchmaking – Understanding the Architecture of Growth and Identity (EN)

Guests: Maria Bashutkina (JIMH), Stéphane von Gunten (Haute Rive), Cybèle Vigneron (VERSION) & Vahé Vartzbed (Kerbedanz).

Hosted by: Manon Kolodziejczyk

Recorded at: Time to Watches 2026 – Geneva

Main partner: STISS (www.stiss.ch)

This episode, produced by Time to Watches, is brought to you by STISS (www.stiss.ch). Recorded at Time to Watches 2026 in Geneva, Manon Kolodziejczyk welcomes Maria Bashutkina, Stéphane von Gunten, Cybèle Vigneron and Vahé Vartzbed for a conversation dedicated to the growth and positioning of independent watch brands.

At the crossroads of strategy, creativity, and market reality, the discussion explores how independent brands can scale while preserving their identity. Drawing from both analytical insight and hands-on experience, the speakers highlight the foundations of a credible brand today: legitimacy, product excellence, strong storytelling, and the ability to build meaningful connections with collectors through community and direct engagement. The episode also addresses key challenges shaping the sector, including limited resources, increasing competition, and the strategic decisions required to ensure long-term development and visibility. Finally, the conversation underlines a defining dynamic of independent watchmaking: a constant balance between freedom and structure, creativity and discipline, vision and execution: where brands are not only creating watches, but building distinctive universes.

Links:

Haute Rive: https://haute-rive-watches.ch/

Kerbedanz: https://kerbedanz.com/

Version: https://versionwatches.fr/

JIMH: https://www.jimh.ch/

Maria Bashutkina LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mariabashutkina

🎧Episode length: 45 min

💬Language: English

📢 Presented by: STISS (www.stiss.ch) – main partner of the Time to Watches Podcasts

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.