Meet Don Loke
Luxury watch industry veteran and Master Watchmaker regarded as an expert in highly complicated and intricate timepieces. Launched, managed and directed sales, marketing and service for some of the most prominent brands in the industry including Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta and Parmigiani Fleurier. As President of Parmigiani Fleurier, North America, he built the #1 market worldwide and held that distinction for 6 1/2 years, leveraging outstanding relationships with leading U.S. independent jewelers including London Jewelers, Manfredi, Wempe, Westime, Shreve & Co, Oster’s, to name a few. Don is a true team player, achieving and delivering quality results and customer satisfaction while building strategic alliances with retail partners.
Passionate about the watch industry, he projects this intensity when presenting watches. Well respected by peers, Don is considered the “go to guy” to answer questions, solve problems and provide service where others have failed. Responsible for over 40 watch designs for the US market. He is degreed from both US and Swiss schools and is a Technical Advisor and Master Watchmaker for several International Watch Magazines.
EXPERIENCE
President, Founder, Horological Works LLC Danbury, CT 1978 - Present
High end watch sales, marketing, and repair services including: new product development, design and national service provider for Breguet, Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta, Chronoswiss, Alain Silberstein, Louis Moinet as well as Vintage service for Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bonham’s and private collections.
President, Owner DreamTime LLC Danbury, CT 2001-2007
Managed $3 million watch distribution, sales, marketing, and service for Magellan, Vogard, Beretta, Antoine Preziuzo, and Babylone brand watches.
National Sales Marketing Director, Louis Moinet North America, Durham NC November 2008- March 2010
Introduced Louis Moinet into the US market, developing, creating, and executing retail partnerships and marketing strategies: in store product and sales staff training; special events coordination in Beaver Creek, Ft. Lauderdale, Carmel, CA, and Newport RI; and negotiation of co-marketing branding campaign with PrimeTime Racing for American Le Mans series and GT2 Class racing.
President, CEO Parmigiani Fleurier USA LLC Greenwich, CT 1996-2003
Launched, developed and maintained the #1 Market worldwide for Parmigiani Fleurier, increasing sales to $4MM (from $0) annually. Creating and implementing special events across the US. Focused on brand building; designing for private collectors unique timepieces selling for upwards of $495,000; assisted Swiss designers in product development; Established retailer loyalty with accounts such as London Jewelers, Manfredi , Wempe, Laviano’s, DeBoulle’s, Hochfields, The Balance Wheel, Currents, Osters, Shreve & Co, David Orgel, J Scott Jewelers, Westime, Levinson’s, Diamant Noir, Kenjo, Chatel & Co, Foxes, Royal Jewelers, Grenon’s of Newport, M. J. Miller & Co, Hochfields, Lux, Bond & Green, Tourneau, Hamilton.
Technical Director, UTAC America, New York, NY 1990-1994
Led turnaround, creating a $1 million annual profit center from a formerly $500K annual loss in the service dept. Built a qualified 15 person customer service team for Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Bertolucci, and Girard Perregaux watches.
Created Customer Relationship Management Program; established in store product training for retailers.
Technical Director, Production Manager, Interchron Ltd, New York, NY 1987-1990 Responsible for product development, Design, production, assembly and service of $10 million New York based gold watch manufacturer supplying Gordons, Kay Jewelers, Sterling Group, and private label for select jewelers.
Technical Director, Swatch Group ( ETA Industries), New York, NY 1985-1987 Managed sales, production, and training on ETA watch movements. Supplied the US and Canadian markets for private label and US based manufacturers generating $8 million in sales for the Swiss movement company.
EDUCATION
Le Centre de Perfectionnement Horloger, Neuchatel, Switzerland
Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education Program, 1984
Graduated with top honors with a perfect score on both written and practical exams. Worked on complicated and antique timekeepers. Invited to train at Jaeger Le Coultre and later trained at Breguet, provided a service center for the US market. Trained under Daniel Roth.
Bowman Technical School Lancaster, PA
Degree in Clock making and Repairs, 1984 Degree in Watch making and Repairs, 1978.
Handmade a Bowman precision regulator clock.
INTERESTS
Springboard Diving, Ridgefield High School Swim Team Diving coach 2006-2011
Fine Art, Skiing, Sailing, Independent Watchmakers, Technology, Wine