Rugby player, sports journalist – and watch executive! Once again I’ve learned that there is more to someone than their job title! And now, a few minutes with Mario Peserico, CEO of Eberhard & Co.
Tempus Fugit – What was your first watch? Was it a gift? Is there a story behind it?
Mario Peserico – It was an heirloom from my grandfather, a vintage hand-winding watch.
TF – When you were a boy, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
MP – I always dreamt of being a Carabiniere, the Italian national Military Police, one of the corps with the highest sense of honor; this was my dream until I was 18.
TF – Where did you go to school, what did you study exactly?
MP – After the high school I attended the Bocconi University in Milan where I studied Economics, I then decided to change my course of studies and enrolled in the Political Science faculty.
TF – What are some of the things you did prior to entering the watch industry?
MP – For a few years I was a bit of a sports journalist, writing rugby reports for an important Italian newspaper, “Il Giornale”; at the same time I was also the match commentator for a local Milan TV station. I have been playing rugby for 15 years and I believe it has really helped shape my personality.
TF – What got you started in the watch industry in the first place?
MP – It was 1993, and Eberhard was looking for someone to handle the external relations and the the dealer contacts. I decided to leave the job I had at the time to join Eberhard.
TF – Why Eberhard?
MP – My father was a watch collector, and he had an Eberhard model in his collection. This made it easier to make the decision, as it was a Brand already known and respected in my family.
TF – What is it that makes Eberhard special?
MP – Eberhard is a family Company with a great deal of respect for their customers and for the dealers. Moreover, Eberhard possesses a DNA second to none when it comes to technical evolution. It is also a great place to work at, a place where producing ideas does not provoke any rivalry.
TF – I realize it might be difficult, but what is your favorite Eberhard?
MP – It is really tough, I like almost all of them, from the historical pieces to the current collections. Having contributed to the creation of them all makes it even more difficult to make a choice. I want to surprise you by choosing the “120th Anniversary” model in gold with the brown dial: innovation, elegance and proportion of size.
TF – What are some of the challenges facing Eberhard?
MP – We are proud to have remained independent ever since our foundation, but markets are definitely more and more globalized these days, and it is not easy for a company that is not a “group member” to invest in very expensive territories such as China or the USA. At the same time, this continuous challenge produces ideas, innovation, and a creative approach that often the “big boys” don’t have.
TF – What is Eberhard’s strongest market?
MP – Historically, Italy has always been very important in terms of turnover size and also of consumer taste. A watch that is successful in Italy always promises to be so in the other markets as well.
TF – How do you see Eberhard developing in the coming years?
MP – Always focusing on the same criteria: identity, technical developments, creativity and service to clients. Distribution is changing and this is another important aspect, but we will always consider the multi brand shops as our main supporters.
TF – What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
MP– I live in the country side with many animals and I like spending my leisure time with them, particularly the dogs. I also try to remain fit by exercising as much as I can over the week-ends (jogging, cycling, paddling, horse riding). I like contemporary art very much, as well as reading. And I love food and wine.
TF – If you weren’t working with Eberhard, what do you think you might be doing?
MP – I do not see myself anywhere else and I like the watches so I could not be happier.The only different thing I would do, once retired, is living in the country side or in the mountains with no noise and no technology
TF – What advice do you have for the next Mario Peserico out there?
MP – Be unassuming, work hard, and respect others.