The pleasure of excellence: Parmigiani’s Guido Terreni on private luxury

June 23
46 mins

Episode Description

In this episode of The Luxury Society Podcast, Robin Swithinbank is joined by Guido Terreni, Chief Executive of Parmigiani Fleurier, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it means to lead one of watchmaking's most singular houses.

Drawing on 21 years at Bulgari, where he oversaw the creation of the Serpenti and the record-breaking Octo Finissimo, Terreni reflects on the relaunch of Parmigiani through the critically acclaimed Tonda PF collection, the brand's philosophy of private luxury and the courage required to defend a creative vision when you are the only person in the room who believes in it. The pair also explore AI's limited role in luxury creativity, Gen Z's growing appetite for mechanical watchmaking and why, in a world saturated with noise, a brand's clearest competitive advantage may be knowing exactly who it is not for.

Tune in for:

  • Why private luxury is not a trend but a permanent set of values, and how Parmigiani built its entire identity around them
  • The distribution decision that cut two-thirds of its retail network and what it unlocked commercially
  • How Gen Z is quietly reshaping the luxury watch collector base, and what that means for brands chasing longevity over hype

Brought to you by DLG, in partnership with The 1916 Company.

The 1916 Company is reshaping the world of collectible watches and fine jewelry, uniting a global community through trusted expertise, editorial excellence, and client-first experiences. With more than 20 boutiques and Collector’s Lounges worldwide, the company bridges new and pre-owned markets across collectible watches, fine jewelry, and designer handbags – supported by dedicated advisors, expert watchmakers, and seasoned journalists. As majority investor in independent manufacture De Bethune, The 1916 Company holds a singular position at the intersection of retail, editorial, and community.

www.the1916company.com

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, Fallow, Field & Mason 2026 

See all episodes