EXCLUSIVE - TIME² Interviews Jorg Gray CEO Trevor Gnesin

"Be it Moscow or the Czech Republic, I knew where the president was. By the end of our first year – during one of the worst recessions in American history - we were in 200 stores across the USA," said Gnesin.

Last Christmas, Gnesin underestimated demand and couldn’t meet the orders. But he is committed to his customers and production schedules. "It took 18 months to get my wife’s $23,000 watch back from repair recently. It’s mindblowing how companies get away with that."

Having diversified with 23 new watch styles (unveiling five new launches at BaselWorld), the opening of the first standalone store in Kuala Lumpur, and with hopes to establish 15 more boutiques in the next five years, Gnesin has experienced many unique moments thanks to the brand’s rapid success.

"Many times when I’ve been wearing the 6500 or the more casual 9100, I’ve received fabulous compliments and I’ve often given away the watch on my wrist – be it to a stranger at an airport or a band member at the Hong Kong Grand Hyatt nightclub," said Gnesin. "One guy wrote to me saying: 'I know you’re going to the Oscars and giving out watches. I’ll never be able to afford one of your beautiful watches but if you want to add one to your giveaway list, here’s my address.' I do give away lots of them."

For more info on the Jorg Gray brand history, see Jorg Gray - The Touch of Obama.

See Jorg Gray watches for styles.