The Gstaad Guy Podcast Audemars Piguet CEO: Ilaria Resta – Preserving Heritage, Embracing Innovation, & Embodying the Brand’s Ethos
Sep 26, 2025
Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, shares her insights as a trailblazer in Swiss watchmaking. She discusses the thrilling tension between traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation, emphasizing the importance of storytelling to preserve heritage. Ilaria elaborates on creating a nurturing work culture that values creative freedom, family principles, and emotional connections within the watch community. Her unique perspective on disbanding gender biases in watch design inspires a fresh appreciation for the artistry and history of horology.
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Shared Ownership Fuels Daring
- Treat the business as if it were your own to make ethical, bold choices and stay egoless.
- Shared ownership and long tenure among employees fuels freedom and daring across the company.
The Manufacture Feels Like A Studio
- Le Brassus manufacture feels more like an artist studio than an industrial factory.
- Visitors see genuine passion at watchmaker benches and call their watches "a world of emotions."
Enable Open Talk And Mobility
- Create a culture of straight talk and open expression to avoid toxicity.
- Encourage internal mobility so people can grow non-linearly and fuel creativity across roles.