In the dynamic world of luxury watchmaking, where precision and elegance intersect, stands Catherine Renier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre.

"Choose a career path that resonates with your true self, where your passion and purpose align, because your career journey should be driven by what genuinely matters to you,"

Leading one of the most esteemed names in watchmaking, Renier's narrative is more than a chronicle of success; it's a story woven with dedication, innovation, and a deep-seated belief in authenticity. In an exclusive interview, Renier shares her experiences and insights, revealing the confluence of values, creativity, and empowerment that have shaped her leadership at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Her journey and philosophy are emblematic of building a better world - women who are not just defining success in their terms but are also redefining the paradigms of their respective fields.

In Catherine Renier's world, the legacy is interlaced with visionary leadership, setting the stage for a narrative that intertwines the elegance of luxury with the power of purpose-driven leadership.

Empowerment & Legacy Through Time

Empowerment lies at the core of Jaeger-LeCoultre's ethos under Catherine Renier's leadership. "The values of the Maison are not just for the public. They are also the values that drive us internally... naturally, it will cascade within the organization to our clients," Renier asserts.

Addressing the success and impact of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Women's Leadership Program, Renier reflects on its transformative journey: "We've had two women's leadership sessions. The program is an internal program... it can enable us to accompany people in their development and career." Here, Renier is not merely overseeing the creation of luxury timepieces; she is crafting an environment where women's leadership flourishes, thereby nurturing a path for women to realize and embrace their leadership potential within the organization.

Delving into strategies for promoting female leadership, Renier offers pragmatic yet inspirational advice for the next generation of leaders:

"I would say that for me, the advice is always to go for what matters to you... a career is long, and you have to go to a place where you will feel like yourself and you will feel the drive because what you do makes sense... then take the proper level of risks, meaning that if something is important to you regarding career development, you may have to take a leap of faith at some point."

Renier underscores the need for consistency in a world where identity and integrity are paramount: "It's all very uniform and very aligned...You always need to ask yourself if it is in the identity [of the project]."

The Art of Watchmaking & Crafting a Legacy

To Catherine Renier, every timepiece is a story of tradition meeting innovation. Reflecting on the brand's exhibitions, she notes, "We showcase emblematic creations and timepieces from the last century...as a symbol of our history and key elements of innovation." These displays are not merely showcasing watches; they are narratives that articulate the evolution of Jaeger-LeCoultre, marrying its rich heritage with the pulsating beat of modernity.

Among these, the Reverso watch holds a special place in Renier's heart; it is her favorite and the one she chose to wear during the interview. She describes it with professional admiration and personal affection,

"When you talk about Reverso, with its rotating case, components, and complexity needed for movement to fit a rectangle shape… there are creative and artistic dimensions because Reverso was born in the Art Deco period in the 1930s following the golden ratio."

For Renier, the Reverso is more than a timepiece; it vividly represents designs that interweave beauty with functionality, symbolizing enduring elegance and ingenuity.

Renier understands the delicate art of balancing innovation with tradition, a challenge she embraces with enthusiasm, "It's sometimes more difficult [to expand on existing designs] than to start from a blank page. We always have the frame we need to play with." This approach reflects a deep understanding of the modern connoisseur's relationship with luxury watches: "Today, you may not check the time so much on your watch. So, what watches have become is an object of art, an object of emotion, an artistic object for what it symbolizes for you as the owner and wearer of the piece... They need to be relevant to today's generation in the expectation of comfort, versatility, easiness of wearing that today's world is expecting."

"The watches your parents would wear, you would not wear the same way today, not with the same outfit or circumstance. It's less formal than it was back then,"

Renier further illustrates this evolution with the iconic Reverso watch she was wearing in our interview: "When you take the Reverso from 1930 with a black dial, and you take the latest model that we introduced… even though there is a clear family link between both...you will feel the modernity throughout the whole design. It is modernized from the integration of the bracelet in the choice of colors in the choice of bracelet, fabric, and material."

"It's interesting trying to find the balance between something with such a long history and still trying to create something beautiful while not losing the brand that people love… it is important to capture the iconic parts that people identify with the most." This sentiment is the essence of their mission under Renier's leadership: to craft watches that are not just timepieces but also symbols of a living, evolving legacy.

The Path to Prestige

Catherine Renier's ascent into the world of luxury is a narrative of aligning passion and profession. "I started my career in luxury jewelry... and joined Jaeger LeCoultre about five years ago and discovered the world of watchmaking," she recounts. This transition wasn't merely a career move but a pursuit of a more profound calling, a search for a resonance between personal values and professional endeavors.

At Jaeger-LeCoultre, Renier found more than just a new workplace; she discovered a reflection of her principles.

"I feel the values are very similar between what drives me and what Jaeger LeCoultre has built over its 190 years of history."

The recent years have been marked by an introspective dive into the brand's rich heritage, as Renier points out: "It's true that since the last few years at Jaeger LeCoultre, we've been organizing exhibitions that are going in-depth on our collections, our heritage, the work behind our products, the inspiration, the artistic dimension of what we do."

Catherine Renier's path to the pinnacle of Jaeger-LeCoultre is a powerful illustration of what it means to find one's place in the world - pursuing dreams with relentless passion and resilience.

Connecting, Inspiring, and Empowering

Catherine Renier's leadership at Jaeger-LeCoultre is a compelling testament to the enduring impact of authentic empowerment. Her vision extends beyond the meticulous craftsmanship of timepieces, embracing a philosophy that enriches the tapestry of the luxury industry.

"We believe it's important today that watchmaking and our Maison are interesting to everyone."

Her tenure is marked by a progressive stance on inclusivity, not just as a theoretical ideal but as a practical, actionable ethos. Through initiatives like the Women's Leadership Program, Renier champions the growth and recognition of female talent, fostering a culture where leadership is nurtured and potential is realized without barriers.

This narrative transcends the boundaries of conventional luxury, reframing success not by the luster of its sheen but by the strength of its principles and the courage of its pursuits. It is a journey that celebrates the pursuit of passion with purpose, urging individuals to align their professional endeavors with their convictions.

Reflecting on Renier's journey, we are inspired by the power of leading with values and integrity. It is a reminder that the most profound legacy is not inscribed in gold or encased in glass but is woven into the lives touched and the futures shaped by such visionary leadership.

Text: Jeremy Chapnick

Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre

JESSICA 2024