Twenty-five years ago, two gentlemen had a brilliant idea that would forever change the reporting on watches. They wanted to use the internet. Back in 2001, watches on the internet seemed like an unrealistic idea for many conservative people in the watch industry. But soon after they had the idea of utilizing what was still a medium in its infancy, Gabriel Tortella (1940-2011) and Jean-Claude Pittard had somehow managed to convince 22 leading watch brands – ranging from AP to Zenith (including Breguet, Cartier, Richard Mille and Rolex) – to join this new adventure of becoming the official website of watchmaking. Worldtempus was launched in 2001, the same year that the duo initiated the first Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve, which they managed until 2009.
To convince the most important brands of the watch industry, it of course helped that Mr. Tortella and Mr. Pittard already had a track record. Back in 1974 Mr. Tortella, an expert in vintage objects, co-founded Antiquorum, the world's first auction house specializing in vintage watches and horological instruments. And in 1979, they had founded “Tribune des Arts”, a monthly publication focused on watchmaking, painting and current events of the antiquities scene in Geneva and worldwide.
What was and is unique with Worldtempus is that it combined the forces of LVMH, Richemont and Swatch Group as well as large and small independents including Audemars Piguet and MB&F. Add to that its location in Geneva, and its bilingual approach, which makes it a unique voice.
One of the 22 founding brands of Worldtempus was Bovet. “I was excited about the possibilities. I had just purchased the House of BOVET in 2001, and I was coming in as an outsider, not a watchmaker. As an entrepreneur, I am a firm believer in examining new methods, new materials, new processes and adopting what works early. Many people doubted the relevance of online media, but I saw the potential and believed it would be the future of communication, in addition to printed material,” said CEO Pascal Raffy.
Patek Philippe was also among the pioneers. “We became a founding brand partner at the time because Patek Philippe has always had the philosophy of supporting specialized and trade press, print, and in this case, an early online media, based locally. It was always important for us to support journalists who specialize in our industry and thereby help sharing knowledge and raising general interest for fine watchmaking, which was not as visible and known at the time, with limited editorial support from established media,” said International Communication & Public Relations Director Jasmina Steele.
Mr. Tortella sadly passed away in 2011, and Mr. Pittard has a humble approach today. “It was so long ago, and I don’t remember much. But yes, I am proud about Worldtempus and that we could sell it,” he said of the 2007 acquisition by Edipresse.
Since 2014 Worldtempus has been part of GMT Publishing. “We had already been working together for a long time, since GMT always made – and still makes – the official catalogue for GPHG,” said GMT founder and editor-in-chief Brice Lechevalier. “GMT is a strong print voice and Worldtempus a strong digital voice, so it made sense to combine the two, as there were a lot of synergies. Having the two under the same roof gives GMT Publishing a stronger global voice in Europe, USA, Asia, and the Middle East,” Mr. Lechevalier continued.
Looking back, Bovet’s Mr. Raffy feels that his urge to support watch media’s advent online was the right move. “Worldtempus really helped the watch industry, spreading the word about fine watches and has become an authoritative voice in what is now a very crowded space,” he concluded.
