A great Watchmaker
In these days where nothing is free, Jacky Epitaux managed to get some of the biggest sports stars, including Ronaldinho, to promote its brand at almost any cost.
So how does a small Swiss watchmaker of Les Bois, near La Chaux-de-Fonds manage to wrap one of his plays around the wrist of doubt the greatest footballer on the planet, without having to pay for privilege?
In short, thanks to a lot of patience and an unorthodox approach.
Rewind back to the summer of 2002, and the famous designer Rodolphe Cattin and Epitaux Brazil just seen win a record fifth World Cup.
"Our passion is football and we decided to create and there is a watch to commemorate the victory of Brazil", Epitaux, who is chairman of Rodolphe Watches, told swissinfo.
The result was the SFr15, 000 ($ 12,500) Instinct Penta limited edition colors of the Brazilian flag, yellow, blue and green. One hundred were made and only 15 remained unsold.
Through a friend, Epitaux managed to pass on information about the watch to the Brazilian team. Then, when Brazil came to Porto to play a friendly against Portugal in March 2003, there was Epitaux to the team hotel with his army watches.
"I set up an exhibition in the lobby of the hotel and evening, hanging with the players at the helm," he recalled. "Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho said they each take an hour and insisted on paying half."
The limited edition Penta (Rodolphe) Elusive Ronaldinho
Early last year the watchmaker flew to Brazil to return the watches to Cafu and Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, but - as it is on the ground - has proved more elusive.
Having signed in Barcelona in 2003, Brazil is now the number 11 of the hottest tickets on the planet football. According to the magazine France Football, he anticipated the England player David Beckham as the highest paid, collecting in a cool SFr36 million a year in salary and endorsements.
After several calls to the sister of the player Deis, a gap in his busy schedule was found in June last year and Epitaux had three days to find a jewelry store in Barcelona and put everything in place for the rotation.
"It was very funny actually. About 50 journalists have, and I think they thought Ronaldinho was not able to do so. But he arrived on time, dressed like a rapper all in white, and was very friendly and smiling, as usual, "he said.
"The only problem was that all the journalists wanted to talk about football and we had to keep their direction all watches on time."
Ronaldinho also received a SFr6, 000 Rodolphe Instinct Weekly "for everyday wear, but other than watches, and nothing else has changed hands.
"The success of this summer in our love of football and Brazil, and how we have addressed the players," said Epitaux, who was in Brazil, nearly 20 times. "We have always kept a low profile and has never behaved like paparazzi.
Watches success
For Epitaux, the fruit of more than two years of work was another successful chapter in the life of the young company of watches and jewelry.
Founded ten years ago, Rodolphe employs around 40 people and produces about 200 watches a year, ranging from a SFr2, 000 ladies quartz with a SFr100, 000 time-tourbillon.
In March last year, Geneva-based luxury replica rolex watch group Franck Muller bought a controlling stake in Rodolphe, opening up new global opportunities for the company.
But in the coming days Epitaux has its eyes on the transfer of some time, rather closer to home.
His firm has established a temporary presence in the small town of Weggis on Lake Lucerne, where Brazil are based until next month, the finals of the World Cup in Germany.
So how does a small Swiss watchmaker of Les Bois, near La Chaux-de-Fonds manage to wrap one of his plays around the wrist of doubt the greatest footballer on the planet, without having to pay for privilege?
In short, thanks to a lot of patience and an unorthodox approach.
Rewind back to the summer of 2002, and the famous designer Rodolphe Cattin and Epitaux Brazil just seen win a record fifth World Cup.
"Our passion is football and we decided to create and there is a watch to commemorate the victory of Brazil", Epitaux, who is chairman of Rodolphe Watches, told swissinfo.
The result was the SFr15, 000 ($ 12,500) Instinct Penta limited edition colors of the Brazilian flag, yellow, blue and green. One hundred were made and only 15 remained unsold.
Through a friend, Epitaux managed to pass on information about the watch to the Brazilian team. Then, when Brazil came to Porto to play a friendly against Portugal in March 2003, there was Epitaux to the team hotel with his army watches.
"I set up an exhibition in the lobby of the hotel and evening, hanging with the players at the helm," he recalled. "Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho said they each take an hour and insisted on paying half."
The limited edition Penta (Rodolphe) Elusive Ronaldinho
Early last year the watchmaker flew to Brazil to return the watches to Cafu and Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, but - as it is on the ground - has proved more elusive.
Having signed in Barcelona in 2003, Brazil is now the number 11 of the hottest tickets on the planet football. According to the magazine France Football, he anticipated the England player David Beckham as the highest paid, collecting in a cool SFr36 million a year in salary and endorsements.
After several calls to the sister of the player Deis, a gap in his busy schedule was found in June last year and Epitaux had three days to find a jewelry store in Barcelona and put everything in place for the rotation.
"It was very funny actually. About 50 journalists have, and I think they thought Ronaldinho was not able to do so. But he arrived on time, dressed like a rapper all in white, and was very friendly and smiling, as usual, "he said.
"The only problem was that all the journalists wanted to talk about football and we had to keep their direction all watches on time."
Ronaldinho also received a SFr6, 000 Rodolphe Instinct Weekly "for everyday wear, but other than watches, and nothing else has changed hands.
"The success of this summer in our love of football and Brazil, and how we have addressed the players," said Epitaux, who was in Brazil, nearly 20 times. "We have always kept a low profile and has never behaved like paparazzi.
Watches success
For Epitaux, the fruit of more than two years of work was another successful chapter in the life of the young company of watches and jewelry.
Founded ten years ago, Rodolphe employs around 40 people and produces about 200 watches a year, ranging from a SFr2, 000 ladies quartz with a SFr100, 000 time-tourbillon.
In March last year, Geneva-based luxury replica rolex watch group Franck Muller bought a controlling stake in Rodolphe, opening up new global opportunities for the company.
But in the coming days Epitaux has its eyes on the transfer of some time, rather closer to home.
His firm has established a temporary presence in the small town of Weggis on Lake Lucerne, where Brazil are based until next month, the finals of the World Cup in Germany.
