Jean-Claude Biver

* 20 Sep 1949, Luxembourgish, Swiss, Businessman & watchmaker

Jean-Claude Biver is one of the most impactful leaders of the modern Swiss Haute Horlogerie landscape. Biver's leadership in the Swiss watch industry has been credited as "single handedly saving the industry from the quartz movement.” He has formed and shaped brands like Blancpain, Omega, Hublot, TAG Heuer and has been president of the LVMH’s watchmaking division. In 2022, he launched together with his youngest son his own luxury watch manufacture called JC Biver.

What did your father do? He was a shoe retailer in Luxembourg. When did you move to Switzerland? When I was 10 years old. Do you have siblings? One younger brother. Are you married? Twice, with 5 children altogether. What makes you unique? The fact that I am aware of my limits and that I know I can only go beyond them if I am well accompanied. My strength is to bring others together and form a team. I am more like the conductor of an orchestra. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I’m an extrovert. How sensitive are you? I have good presentiments. What is your proudest accomplishment? I am proud of my team and all the people I have with me for 50 years. What’s something you wish you were better at? I wish I would be better with my own children and my family. Because I never devoted sufficient time for them. Would it be possible to achieve your kind of success and have a happy family life? Of course. Because if that is not possible, what is the meaning of life? The meaning of life is a happy family and a happy job. I say to my students: “If you want to be successful, never forget to choose the right partner.” Because if you have the wrong partner, it might be difficult to develop your own personality in your business. The right partner supports you, understands you and is always ready to assist you. “How can you choose the right partner, Mr. Biver”, then the students ask. And I say: “Listen, if I knew that, I would have always chosen the right one for me.”