Jean-Marc Jacot
6th September 1949: Jean-Marc Jacot born in Le Locle. Canton of Neuchâtel. Switzerland.
The history which links Jean-Marc Jacot to watchmaking and to its craftsmanship dates back several generations, and includes some of the major names in dial painting, engraving and chasing. His paternal grandfather, who worked as an engraver/chaser in Paris and his father, President of the Le Locle Museum (Château des Monts) in the Seventies are just two of these important figures. Jean-Marc Jacot lived in Le Locle until he was 12, before moving to Geneva to continue his schooling at the Collège de Florimont.
Jean-Marc Jacot. © Parmigiani
1970-1973: Business school of the European College of Economic and Social Sciences.
1974-2004: Jean-Marc Jacot started his career at Bulova, firstly in Pforzheim, then in Paris. In 1975, he helped create the watchmaking department and launch the Must and Santos collections at Cartier. In 1977, he managed the company Charles Jourdan Expression. After a stint at Omega as international sales director, he moved on to a role as marketing director, then general manager of Ebel, from 1981 to 1992. From 1993 to 1999, Jean-Marc Jacot was appointed general manager of the Gerald Genta brand. He then founded the company Tempus Concept and operated the international licence for Boss Hugo Boss watches until 2004.
2000: Jean-Marc Jacot was given responsibility for watchmaking activity for the Sandoz Family Foundation. His role: setting up the network of craftsmanship and industrial expertise.
Jean-Marc Jacot took part in various acquisitions on behalf of the Sandoz Family Foundation to complete and consolidate the manufacture's industrial capabilities and skills in craftsmanship. Bruno Affolter SA renamed Les Artisans Boîtiers: case-making company (acquired in May 2000), atokalpa SA: turning company (acquired in December 2000) and Elwin SA: turning and machine fittings company (acquired in January 2001). This acted as a major boost to the independence of the PARMIGIANI MESURE ET ART DU TEMPS manufacture.
Since 2000: As part of his responsibility for watchmaking activity for the Sandoz Family Foundation, Jean-Marc Jacot supervises and participates in the activities of the Parmigiani Fleurier brand. Several strategic axes have been developed:
2001: Signing of the partnership between Parmigiani Fleurier and the Bugatti motor company.
2003: PARMIGIANI MESURE ET ART DU TEMPS SA makes way for the new organisational structure: PARMIGIANI FLEURIER SA and VAUCHER MANUFACTURE FLEURIER SA.
2004: Parmigiani Fleurier announces an exclusive partnership with Hermès straps.
2005: Jean-Marc Jacot, Pierre Landolt and Emmanuel Vuille announce to the world press that the production process for AK 215 oscillator has been perfected (hairspring and regulating organ), with the component produced entirely by the industrial unit.
2006: Parmigiani Fleurier becomes "presenting sponsor" of the International Hot Air Ballooning Week at Château-d’Oex, and purchases a balloon custom-made in the brand's colours.
2006: Presentation of the first Parmigiani Fleurier ladies’ collection. Jean-Marc Jacot consolidates the brand's international presence on the women's market by launching the "Parmigiani Women of Exception" concept across the world.
2006: Creation of the company Quadrance et Habillage SA, bringing together the dial production activities.
2006: The Sandoz Family Foundation and the Hermès group jointly announce on Friday 20th October 2006 in Paris that they have entered into a partnership covering Haute Horlogerie.
2007: Acquisition of 40,000m2 of land in Fleurier, to meet the need for the expansion of Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier.
2008: Signing of the partnership between Parmigiani Fleurier and the yacht builder Pershing (Ferretti group). Jean-Marc Jacot, Michel Parmigiani and the members of the Pershing management team inaugurate this agreement on 27th February in Mondolfo, Italy. More sports-oriented Parmigiani watch models are launched.
2008: Development of the cultural partnership with the Montreux Jazz festival: Parmigiani Fleurier is elevated to a position as one of the event's main partners, with greater visibility.
2009: Jean-Marc Jacot and Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier inaugurate the new 6700m2 Fleurier production site in September, bringing together all the VMF workshops under one roof.
2010: After 3 years of preparation, the concept of the Ateliers Parmigiani takes shape. Spaces exclusively dedicated to the brand, the first two Ateliers are opened in Istanbul and Moscow. Six other Ateliers will be opened during 2011.
2010: Verticalisation of distribution for the Parmigiani Fleurier brand.