Seize The Moment – A Chat with Omega’s President and CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann

President and CEO of Omega, Raynald Aeschlimann

“The thing that makes Omega distinctive from the rest would have to be the product itself… almost anything that you can find in our boutiques has a story to share,” states Raynald Aeschlimann. The President and CEO of Omega had just arrived from Dubai to celebrate the opening of Malaysia’s fourth Omega boutique in Suria KLCC. “The reason we wanted to open a boutique here is because having the best location is very important for us at Omega. And what better place than to have it inside Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic monument? I admit that it took a bit of time for us to get here – but if you want the best, you have to be willing to wait for it.”

A glimpse inside the new Omega boutique in Suria KLCC

If there’s one person who knows Omega inside out, it would have to be Aeschlimann. Having been with the Swiss luxury watchmaker for over two decades, it was in June 2016 that Aeschlimann was appointed successor to Stephen Urquhart, after the latter decided to retire from his position on his 70th birthday. “I can still remember when I first joined Omega. This was during the early days when the company was still building the brand. It was such an amazing experience and, now, it is a privilege to not only be the CEO, but to also be part of something meaningful, which is something that has always been important to me.” As for leading a team to success, Aeschlimann believes that it all boils down to one thing: values. “You can’t lead a company without first setting the example. I am also a fervent believer in the power of teamwork. The team of people that I manage have a huge amount of passion. You can have the most cutting-edge technology at your disposal, but there’s no substitute for that kind of positive human energy.”

It was earlier this year that Aeschlimann demonstrated his leadership sensibilities by spearheading a ‘Speedy Tuesday’ project that would harness the power of social media. The strategy involved utilising popular mobile photo-sharing application Instagram to reveal a limited edition Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” that could only be procured online. As Aeschlimann explains: “The #SpeedyTuesday has long been used by Speedmaster owners and enthusiasts on social media as a way to celebrate the many editions of this iconic chronograph. At the end of the day, it’s all about connecting with others who share the same passion. This is what technology should be used for.”

Limited to just 2,012 pieces, the Omega Speedmaster ‘Speedy Tuesday’ was the first-ever watch sold directly online by the Swiss watchmaker

The endeavour was deemed a tremendous success as all 2,012 models were sold within four hours, setting a new benchmark in the competitive world of haute horlogerie. Not one to rest on his laurels, Aeschlimann admits that there are still plenty of challenges and, therefore, opportunities that lie ahead. “Omega has encountered its own fair share of challenges… but for a global brand, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it keeps us on our toes so we don’t become complacent. It is what drives us to think differently and to come up with new technological innovations. It is also important to remember that Omega is a brand with a distinguished history… and in a rapidly changing world, people want that kind of certainty.”

This article first appeared in the May 2017 issue of The Peak Malaysia. Click here to subscribe!