Passion for precision

PETALING JAYA: When Dr Pablo Richard put aside his medical practice as a plastic surgeon to build watches instead, some asked if he was out of his mind.
"Some people said I was crazy, that I had invested so much money and time to study medicine for six years, to just throw it away after practising as a surgeon for just three years," Richard told theSun during a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur.
"I said it's not that I didn't like practising medicine, but it was not enough to keep me going. I liked it (being a doctor), but I didn't love it," said the 31-year-old who hails from Basel, Switzerland.
"Timepieces have always been my passion since I was young, so I wanted to do this although the Swiss watch-making industry may already be saturated and controlled by the big brand names," he added.
Richard said what he also likes about watchmaking is that it requires of him the same precision and high-technology instruments that he was accustomed to as a surgeon.
He says he still spends a month every year working as a physician in the Swiss army, where he holds the rank of lieutenant.
"I like it that I can still keep in touch with medicines, and keep my licence while at it, and I will continue doing this," he said.
Richard said his father Dr Hanspeter Richard, himself a physician and watch collector, sparked his early interest in watches.
"Since I was small, he used to show me his collection, and I have been very passionate about watches since.
"He gave me my first Swatch when I was still very young, and now I have a big collection of watches of my own."
Richard, who is the scion of the Davidoff family which runs a luxury watch and cigar company, said it was never his intention to be just a bit part of a larger corporation, and that he had always wanted to build something on his own.
He says youths today should be bold enough to break their glass ceiling and do whatever they love doing, even if it means venturing into a completely different profession.
"Do what you love, find your passion, and do it often.
"Then, it will only be a matter of time before you become successful," he said.
In 2010, with his father's support, Richard launched Cyrus, a luxury Swiss watch brand, with its first watch released into the market after a year.
Seven years later, Cyrus has released dozens of watches with unique complications, including his personal favourite Klepsys Moon, that has a first-of-its-kind patented 3D moon face, and penetrated markets across the globe.
Read further to know more about Richard and the Cyrus brand.
Why did you choose the name Cyrus for your watch?
Cyrus was the name of a king of a Persian empire, who was also known as Cyrus the Great.
He was a warrior and a conqueror, but at the same time very human and social ... similar to what we are building.
How do you stay relevant in an already competitive and challenging Swiss watchmaking market?
I try to go on a path that not too many makers go in developing innovation, new functions and new complications.
How many markets has Cyrus penetrated?
We already have markets in Switzerland, Germany, France, Russia, and even in the Middle East and Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore. The next one will be Malaysia, which is why I am here.
Who is the brains behind the designs and technologies of the watches?
My father and I are both involved in the building and designing process, but we have a young incredible engineer in Jean-Francois Mojon. The year we developed the Cyrus Klepsys Moon, he was nominated the best watch-maker in the world.
How is it different being a watchmaker from a surgeon?
Both are highly precise jobs that require passion. They both have their own challenges.
A physician needs more interaction with people, while watchmaking is much more technical.
What pushed you to become who you are today?
A lot of people said that it must be the money, but it's not.
It's the idea of success as well as my family and the friends I have.
Do you have any regrets about doing what you have done?
I don't have any regrets at all. Every step taken in life, I have never regretted taking.
If given the chance to do it all again, I would have done it exactly the same.
What's next? Planning to settle down?
Of course, there are plans to get married.
That is why I'm building something now, and it's my intention for my children to continue what I do with Cyrus, and then to the next generation.