Driving back into Geneva in the wee hours of Monday I felt like I was an extra in the 2013 action horror movie Purge. You might remember it? In order to keep the population of a future America calm, everything is allowed during 12 hours, once per year. Which basically divides the people in two: either you live out all your aggressions, or you do what you can to protect yourself and your family. Not only the luxury boutiques along Rue du Rhône just about everything was boarded up just like in the movie. But this wasn’t for a film shooting. This was all made in preparation for the G7 meeting. It was made by store keepers, bankers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, with one thing in common: Fear of riots.
No, the world is not fair. Yes, everybody is, according to several academic studies, suffering from the widening gap, including the well-off people. Yes, this should be addressed. It is obviously not a balanced society where 81 people owns as much as half of the world’s population. You don’t have to convince me about this; you would be preaching to the quire. But what would a riot during a political meeting change? And what about the irony of protesting against smash-and-grab-capitalism by … smashing and grabbing? Yes, I am well aware of rotten apples in the basket, where opportunistic vandals tend to be a minority. Yes, I know that I am privileged, white, middle-aged man that is perhaps out of my depth complaining about the demos. But hey, whatever happened to peaceful demos? Can you show me a smash and grab-riot during political summits that worked? Can you show me an example where that type of destructivity that we have seen around the world actually brought about political change?
Looking at it from the other side: Why aren’t political and corporate leaders opening up to meet more of the public during summits like G7 or WEF? Why not take the opportunity to create arenas where we would talk more and scream less?
On a completely different note, one of the great Genevois left us on Sunday. Philippe Stern, Honorary President of Patek Philippe. During his 63 years with the family company laid the foundation for what is Patek Philippe as we know it. He was responsible for creations like the Nautilus, the Calibre 89, the Patek museum, the Geneva manufacture, the survival and development of artisanal and technical, handmade watchmaking mastery, the dome clocks, the Patek Philippe Seal to mention but a few of his legacy-building successes. Mr. Stern also brought talent and sportsmanship of the highest level to Lake Geneva, where he was one of the best sailors; winning the most prestigious regattas. Since 2009 his son Thierry is at the helm, steering the family company towards new heights.
In a few days the boards (how many millions did the protection cost?) will be taken down, Geneva will again be one of the world’s most beautiful summer cities. And the next time you look out over the lake, spare a moment to remember the men and women that built, and keep building, our beautiful watch industry.
