Swiss visionary transforms South American luxury watch market

Lorenzo Eichmann, a second-generation Swiss national, has helped establish major Swiss watch brands in South America by a stroke of luck. For years, he has travelled between Geneva and Argentina, balancing a life in watchmaking and agriculture. Ask a South American what comes to mind when they think of Switzerland, and they’ll likely say cheese and watches. This stereotype isn’t surprising, given the kinds of Swiss people who emigrated to South America in the 19th century. Lorenzo Eichmann from Geneva, however, is part of both worlds. But let’s start at the beginning, in the early 20th century. Walking through Buenos Aires, Eichmann shares his and his family’s story, in a confident Genevan accent. In 1917, his great-uncle emigrated to Argentina, where a British employer hired him to manage a sugar factory in the northern province of Tucumán. The company grew, eventually employing up to 4,000 workers during harvest. As his great-uncle aged, he wanted a family member to take over.