Maxime Herbelin, BSB'08 : On time to take over

Do you know Charquemont? Charquemont, in the Doubs region of France, has 2,800 inhabitants and just as many watchmaking enthusiasts. In Charquemont, you're born a watchmaker! Maxime Herbelin was born a watchmaker twice over. Because of his Charquemont roots, and because of his grandfather, Michel Herbelin, founder of the eponymous brand in 1947. "With my cousin, I represent the third generation. I joined the company when I left school, and we bought it from the previous generation with two other partners in 2020.

With his double degree in hand, Maxime briefly considered taking a step aside. "But history soon caught up with me. Herbelin has been defending the French watchmaking industry for 77 years. We employ 50 watchmaker-workers who uphold a tradition of excellence. That counts for something! 

Let's take a step back in time. Why Dijon in the first place? "For its dynamism and international partnerships. But once inside the walls, Maxime quickly discovered that BSB (as he calls the ESC) is also an incredibly rich and supportive community. "After my preparatory course, I had the impression of entering a parallel world. Everything was good: the relationships between us, the multicultural aspect, the community life, the teachers' commitment to teaching. At school, I learned autonomy and acquired the ability to make choices".

The big international leap was Ithaca College, in New York State. "Frankly, I wanted to spend a few years in the United States. But a position became available in the company and I joined Charquemont. 

BSB is still very much present in Maxime Herbelin's life today. Firstly, through its alumni and students. 

"We welcome applications for internships and work-study programs. We also have several alumni among our staff". Maxime then applauds the creation of the MSc Luxury Management & Innovation "It's an excellent idea. Burgundy-Franche-Comté is a land of excellence. Wine and gastronomy come to mind, of course. But also to all the workshops that supply the great houses. And, of course, watchmaking and jewelry. And if we go into a little more detail about the training? 

"The place given to professional contributors is very important to the credibility of the MSc. Already, when I was at school, it was an aspect that meant a lot to me. In business, things rarely work out as they look on paper. It's very useful to have professionals bring this message to students". 

Luxury, in fact. What does it mean to Maxime Herbelin? A luxury object is one that we pass on with pride. The designer, manufacturer and user are collectively responsible for keeping a history and values alive. In the case of a watch, there's the added challenge of a limited surface for expression. Our job is to be able to say a lot, for a long time, with an everyday object. Luxury is what goes beyond use and brings generations together!"