June 2024 Luncheon: “Swiss Watchmakers in Japan Since 1864: Actors, Local Partners, and Changing Demand”

We are pleased to invite you to our June 2024 Luncheon with Prof. Pierre-Yves Donzé, Professor of Business History at Osaka University, who will deliver a speech titled “Swiss Watchmakers in Japan Since 1864: Actors, Local Partners, and Changing Demand”.

To mark the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan, Prof. Pierre-Yves Donzé‘s conference will outline the major phases in the development of Swiss watchmakers’ presence on the Japanese market from 1864 to the present day. Firstly, it will discuss the transformations of the market, with the move from a niche market to a mass market at the beginning of the 20th century, followed by the repositioning towards luxury since the 1990s. The emergence of local competitors (such as Seiko) and the strong position of independent retailers have also had an impact on this evolution. Secondly, we will look at how Swiss watch brands have adapted their position in this changing environment, and how some companies have seized these opportunities to establish themselves in the Japanese market.

Date:	Thursday, June 6, 2024
Time:	12:00 – 14:00 (D.O. 11:45)
Location:	Shangri-La Tokyo (MAP) Rooms “Conway 2&3”, 27F
Entry Fee:	SCCIJ Members: JPY 6,500 or 1 SCCIJ voucher 2024 Non Members: JPY 8,000
Registration:	(Deadline: June 2, 2024) *SCCIJ members will be prioritized.* Please inform us of dietary restrictions if any. No-shows/cancellations after deadline will be fully charged
Concept:	This event consists in a 3-course lunch followed by a presentation (and Q&A). The setting is ideal for networking. Participants are typically members of the Swiss-Japanese business community, but non-members are also welcome to join. Seats are not attributed (free seating). Dress code is business / business casual.
Disclaimer:	The SCCIJ may film and take photographs of this event. If you participate, please be noted that these pictures and videos may be used in various media, such as the SCCIJ website, SCCIJ social networking sites, and SCCIJ promotional materials. If you do not want to appear on these pictures and/or videos, kindly notify the SCCIJ staff at the event. The views expressed by the speaker(s) may not necessarily reflect those of the SCCIJ as an organization.
Inquiries:	By e-mail to info@sccij.jp

Biography of the Speaker:

Prof. Pierre-Yves Donzé is a Professor of Business History at Osaka University and a visiting professor at the University of Fribourg. He was the 2023 Thomas K. McCraw fellow at Harvard Business School and is secretary of the European Business History Association. His research focuses on creative industries (fashion, luxury and watchmaking) and the history of multinational enterprises. His most recent book is “La fabrique de l’excellence: histoire de Rolex” (Neuchâtel: Alphil, 2024; English and Japanese edition under preparation). For more details, kindly refer to his website.