Pierre Renggli

Pierre Renggli (1926-) was chairman of ASUAG from 1972 through its merger with SSIH in 1983.

Biography

Pierre Renggli was born on July 14, 1926, in Bienne. Renggli completed his primary and secondary studies in his native town before attending the universities of Berne and Paris. A doctor of law and a lawyer, he took an early interest in watchmaking. His father, Paul Renggli, had followed a similar career trajectory and was president of ASUAG from 1935 through 1962.

At just 26 years of age, Pierre Renggli was named sales manager for the Fabriques d'Assortements Réunies, and he became vice-director ten years later.

In the autumn of 1968, Renggli became the main collaborator of Théodore Renfer, with the rank of director, at ASUAG, and was his presumed heir. Among his many mandates are the Central Committee of the Swiss Chamber of Watchmaking, the Board of Directors of Ebauches SA, the Committee of the Society for the Development of the Swiss Economy, the Presidency of General Watch Co., of Pierres Holding, of the United Balance Factories and of the United Hairspring Factories Management Committee.

In addition to work in the offices of the Swiss holding companies, Pierre Renggli traveled the world to experience different aspects the business. In 1966, he spent six weeks in the USA, taking courses in administrative organization at Columbia University in New York. He then studied the watch market in the United States, working with WOSIC, the main importers of Swiss watches, American watch manufacturers, and more. He then traveled to Central and South America, visiting Mexico City and Sao Paulo, the watchmaking school in Bogota, and the main importers. Shortly after returning from the Americas, Renggli left for Southeast Asia and the Middle East, including Japan and a dozen other countries.

In 1972 Renggli succeeded Théodore Renfer as chairman of ASUAG as expected. He oversaw the transition from mechanical to quartz watches as well as the consolidation of the Swiss industry in the 1970s and 1980s. Renggli finally saw the merger of ASUAG and SSIH as ASUAG-SSIH and the ensuing struggle that lead to the creation of the Swatch Group in the 1980s.

Pierre Renggli married Claire-Lise Bonsack and was formally known using the hyphenated surname, Renggli-Bonsack.