Rolf W. Schnyder, CEO of the Swiss watch manufacturer Ulysse Nardin, unexpectedly died on April 14 after a short illness. He was 76.
“With the passing of Rolf W. Schnyder, the watchmaking industry has lost one of its greatest visionaries, while Ulysse Nardin has lost an important source of innovation for the firm. We are profoundly moved and distraught at this sudden loss. Our full sympathies are with his wife and his three children, to whom we would like to express our sincere condolences,” said Susanne Hurni, press officer and head of media relations at Ulysse Nardin.
“Because a succession plan was already in place, the operational running of the business by the current members of management can be kept going without interruption, and continued in the spirit of Rolf W. Schnyder’s vision,” Hurni added.
Rolf W. Schnyder had acquired the family firm Ulysse Nardin in 1983, and since that time held the role of president and CEO at the helm of the manufacturer with its wealth of tradition. Under his leadership, Ulysse Nardin rose once more to the top of the mechanical watchmaking sector, with numerous innovations such as the first astronomical wrist watches.
The company is based in Le Locle.