The Neuchatel-based brand is moving forward, appointing a new CEO to replace outgoing chief Guillaume Tetu.

Last year was a big one for Hautlence, and Guillaume Tetu was the man running the show. He lead the collaboration with brand ambassador Eric Cantona, released the brand’s first-ever chronograph model, and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the company.

But after 11 years at the helm, Guillaume Tetu has announced that he will be leaving the company to take up a new challenge.

Guillaume Tetu

MELB Group CEO Bill Muirhead – which took over and restructured Hautlence in March 2012 - expressed his gratitude for Tetu’s efforts, “We wish Guillaume all the best for the new challenge in his professional career, as he will always remain for Hautlence one of its key ambassadors.”

Muirhead also recognized the need for a reoriented focus for the brand moving forward, “The next phase of the Hautlence story is an expansion phase that essentially requires brand building and commercial acumen.”

Sandro Reginelli, incoming CEO of Hautlence

The man to lead that charge is new CEO Sandro Reginelli, effective 1 December 2015. A veteran of the industry, Reginelli has been active since 1995 and has diverse skills in design and global management. Not least, he is also quite familiar with the brand he will lead:

“I am really excited about the challenge of taking Hautlence forward. As one of the original founders of the company, Hautlence has always been very close to my heart. I am really proud to see what has been achieved and am looking forward to continue building what started as a dream with friends 11 years ago.”

The Italian has a colourful personality with a sharp eye for aesthetics and design. Most recently, he made a splash with Maurice Lacroix as product manager, where he radically changed the look of some of the brand’s classics. His high design acumen also lead to Maurice Lacroix’s Masterpiece Mystery receiving a Red Dot: Best of the Best prize in 2014.

So on the face of it, the marriage of Reginelli and Hautlence seems like a great fit. The brand prides itself on challenging the boundaries of traditional watchmaking designs, and Reginelli has proven he is more than capable of doing just that.

With SIHH 2016 fast approaching, Reginelli’s welcome celebrations probably won’t last too long, and we look forward to seeing how Hautlence evolves over the coming years.