Arpa, Yvan
Yvan Arpa is a Swiss watch designer.
He began his career as a mathematics professor, but after competing in professional martial arts matches in Thailand and crossing Papua New Guinea on foot, he returned to his roots in Switzerland.
In 1997, he joined the Richemont Group and served as managing director for Switzerland and sales director for Europe and Asia at Baume & Mercier.
From 2002 to 2006, he was Managing Director at Hublot and helped launch the Big Bang collection.
From 2006 to 2009, he was CEO of Romain Jerome and launched watches featuring rusted steel from the Titanic or genuine moon dust.
In 2009, Yvan Arpa founded his own company, “Luxury Artpieces,” through which he launched the following brands:
- “Black Belt Watch” is inspired by the seven virtues, the samurai code of conduct associated with the Bushido warrior. The brand also offers a watch intended exclusively for individuals who hold a black belt in martial arts.
- ArtyA: The brand is distinguished by its unconventional materials, including butterfly wings, real bullets, fossilized dinosaur droppings, real spiders, boxes struck by lightning, tobacco leaves, and more.
From 2010 to 2011, he served as COO at Jacob & Co.
At Baselworld 2013, he unveiled “Spero Lucem,” named in honor of his hometown, Geneva. Yvan Arpa also designed several fountain pens and knives for this brand.
In 2016, Yvan Arpa designed the smartwatch Gear S3 for Samsung, the first smartwatch to incorporate the codes of Haute Horlogerie.
According to Hodinkee, and given his incredible life story, “Yvan Arpa is a strong contender for the title of ‘The Most Interesting Man in the World, Swiss Edition’.”
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