MB&F Max Busser Interview: CEO Confidential

patrick_y · 2021-02-23T18:08:38Z

Explore Maximilian Büsser's leadership philosophy and MB&F's unconventional horology. An unscripted interview reveals insights on market trends and authentic vision.

patrick_y

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

22 replies3238 views1 photos

Patrick_y brings to the forefront an insightful interview with Maximilian Büsser, the visionary behind MB&F, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a leader who prioritizes passion and people over conventional corporate metrics. This discussion highlights Büsser's unique philosophy, which has not only shaped MB&F's unconventional timepieces but also resonated deeply within the luxury watch community. Patrick_y's initial post frames Büsser's unscripted thoughts as essential viewing for anyone interested in authentic leadership and the future of independent horology.

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A friend of mine who knows I'm huge fan of MB&F texted me a link to this interview of Mr. Busser, the Creative Director of MB&F.

Those of you who've been to IGOTT 2, our convention many years ago, have met Mr. Busser, and have heard the extremely elegant gentleman speak.

Keep in mind, this interview is unscripted. What you have here is a true visionary who speaks his heart without fear of what others will think. If you know MB&F, you know this is a brand that creates unconventional timepieces without fear of what watch critics think about their pieces.

My favorite quote:

"A CEO should care more for his clients and his employees than his shareholders."

I enjoyed the interview so much that I've watched it twice! It's a little long at 30 minutes, but boy do those 30 minutes go by quickly!

stream24.ilsole24ore.com

Please enjoy!

P.S. If any of you have friends attending an MBA or DBA course, please consider sending them this link to this interview. Regardless if they're a fan of watches or not, they will likely enjoy this interview.

P.P.S. Many thanks to my super-helpful friend who texted me to look at this interview! Keep those texts and emails coming!

Please feel free to comment below about the interview; whether you liked it, disliked it, want to point out something specific... I look forward to reading your comments!

Key Points from the Discussion

Maximilian Büsser's honesty and articulate communication style are refreshing, particularly his insights on the democratization of the watch market and the shift from quality to obtainability due to social media influence.
Büsser's unconventional approach extends beyond timepieces; his collaborations, like the Robotoy watch stand, are highly sought after, reflecting a playful yet innovative spirit.
The sentiment that a CEO should prioritize clients and employees over shareholders is a core tenet of Büsser's philosophy, distinguishing him from many industry executives who often rely on marketing jargon.
Büsser's legacy, particularly his work on the Opus series at Harry Winston, is recognized as a milestone in independent horology, with MB&F representing a natural progression of his innovative vision.
The discussion touches on the appeal of a lifestyle centered around passion, food, and fine automobiles, drawing parallels to Büsser's own appreciation for a life well-lived, even considering relocation to places like Modena, Italy.
Maximilian Büsser has also been featured on podcasts like FifthWrist Radio, further demonstrating his accessibility and willingness to share his unique perspective with a broader audience of enthusiasts.

The Discussion

FabR

Feb 23, 2021

Sorry, can't watch it because I don't understand the subtitles ;-)) Seriously thanks Patrick, given your strong recommendation I'm sure it's a good one -- and if it made it into 'Il Sole 24 Ore' the "managerial" part must also be interesting! ;-)

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patrick_y

Feb 23, 2021

Rats! No ways to turn off those subtitles!

They should've done the whole interview in Italian! Then you would have no problem! It's really quite good.

FabR

Feb 23, 2021

;-)) I actually appreciate it that also in Italy they are (timidly) starting to put subtitles to foreign speakers as opposed to doubling them...I would have learnt English much sooner as a child if they didn't double every single movie! :-)

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patrick_y

Feb 23, 2021

I must admit, I watch a lot of Italian movies with English subtitles. Something about Italian films... There's so much passion and emotion in a real and raw way.

So then I thought, maybe one day, I'll just go live in Modena; a place of passion, food, wine, and fine automobiles. Then I saw the cost of an American-style flat in the town of Modena and decided I couldn't afford it. In the meanwhile, I recreate my own little piece of Italy by having al-dente pasta (I don't know how I used to eat overcooked pasta, how barbaric of me), clothing made in Napoli or Solomeo, and watching Italian movies.

FabR

Feb 23, 2021

Love it, especially the (very!) al-dente pasta....this could seriously be your first sign of becoming an Italian! :-))

Something I'm definitely also considering (though I admit the logistic are easier for me ;-) is to retire in Italy, and to do it in the not-so-distant future -- lots of things are objectively more challenging than in the US, especially if one has to work, but....life is easily the best anywhere! ;-) So provided the funds are there, when someone has lots of time to devote to...life, the choice starts making sense Cheers.

patrick_y

Feb 24, 2021

Take me with you!

I'll be the agent to your girlfriend's sunglasses super-model dog. I'll get the dog modeling contracts at Luxottica sunglasses in Italy. I'm just imagining you in a cabriolet, driving down the Italian Riviera. What a nice place to be!

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