How to maintain a childlike spirit – with Mathias Buttet
Creativity and innovation can feel like buzzwords in today’s world, but for Mathias Buttet, Director of Research & Development at Hublot, they’re far more than that. Since joining Hublot in 2010, Mathias has been a driving force in reimagining what’s possible in watchmaking, leading his team toward groundbreaking innovations. His secret? A commitment to nurturing creativity while holding on to a childlike spirit of curiosity and wonder.
What is Creativity?
At its core, creativity is often misunderstood. It’s not always about coming up with something useful or even practical right away. Mathias puts it best: “Creativity is the process of creating something new and unique, often without an immediate practical objective. Innovation, on the other hand, is taking that creativity and giving it concrete form.” To him, creativity is a starting point, but it’s also the engine that keeps innovation moving forward.
Mathias believes creativity is something we all have access to—it’s not an exclusive gift for the few. “Creativity can be developed, just like any skill” he says. But there’s a catch: we have to allow ourselves to fail. Mathias insists that in order to grow creatively, failure has to be part of the process. He nurtures a work culture at Hublot that encourages experimentation and learning from mistakes, rather than punishing them.
When people feel safe to try new things and work through setbacks, they discover surprising breakthroughs. As Mathias notes, “Collaboration is crucial. It exposes us to different perspectives and nurtures creativity.”
The Power of Encouraging Creativity in Youth
While creativity is often linked with childhood, Mathias believes that not all kids are inherently creative in the same way. “Some kids are naturally creative” he says, “while others need a bit more time and experience to bring that part of themselves out.” He sees creativity as a muscle that can be strengthened, not an ability limited to a select few.
For young people, this spark of creativity is a pathway to developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and resilience. It allows them to face challenges from new angles, which is invaluable as they grow. Nurturing this creativity doesn’t just help them now; it sets them up for a future where they can think outside the box and lead with fresh ideas.
Inspiration Comes From Staying Playful
Mathias finds inspiration in an unexpected place: by staying connected to his playful, mischievous side. “I find inspiration by embracing the playful spirit of a mischievous child” he says. This playful energy helps him approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and fun, rather than pressure.
He emphasises that a creative environment is one where people feel supported and safe to share their thoughts. This idea of “psychological safety” allows team members to express ideas openly, without fear of judgment. Mathias adds that minimising formal meetings and encouraging open discussions helps keep ideas flowing. He believes that when people feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to come up with innovative solutions.
It’s All About Saying “Yes”
As we grow older, it’s easy to think that we’ve outgrown our creative sides. We get bogged down by rules, routines, and the pressures of adulthood. But Mathias sees it differently. He explains, “A child’s imagination knows no limits. They can turn ordinary objects into entire worlds, driven by pure creativity. But as adults, we start to follow the rules too strictly.”
Mathias illustrates this point with a simple experiment: if you give kids some cardboard, string, and tape, they’ll dive right into creating something magical. If you give the same materials to adults, they often overthink it, or worse—they do nothing at all. The creative spark gets lost in the noise of adult life.
His advice to combat this? “Just do it.” Mathias encourages adults to embrace their curiosity and start creating without worrying too much about the outcome. He believes that when we take action without overthinking, we can reignite that childlike sense of wonder. It’s about allowing yourself to play again, to explore, and to let go of the fear of failure.
The Three Pillars: First, Unique, Different
When it comes to evaluating new ideas, Mathias and his team live by three simple but powerful words: First, Unique, Different. These guiding principles help them decide whether an idea is worth pursuing. He explains that when developing Hublot’s brightly coloured ceramics, they asked themselves: is it new? Is it unique? Is it different? When the answers were all “yes,” they knew they were on the right track.
This mindset has led Hublot to some of their most iconic innovations. It’s a formula that helps them push boundaries, take risks, and invest in ideas that might seem unconventional at first but have the potential to revolutionise the industry.
Handling Setbacks: Keep Going, Together
Creativity doesn’t come without setbacks. Mathias compares his team’s challenges to soldiers in battle. “Setbacks are inevitable” he admits, but the key is to move forward together, supported by a positive, motivated team. He emphasises the importance of a good atmosphere—where colleagues respect and uplift one another.
Just like in battle, where soldiers rely on their comrades for strength, Mathias believes that creativity thrives in environments where everyone has each other’s backs. In these moments of failure, resilience is built, and it’s this resilience that ultimately fuels innovation.
Reconnect With Your Inner Child
As adults, we often lose touch with the creative, carefree side of ourselves that once seemed so natural. But Mathias Buttet’s approach reminds us that it’s still there, waiting to be unlocked. Whether through collaboration, playful competition, or simply taking action without overthinking, we can rediscover the spark that makes us all creative beings.
Mathias’s story isn’t just about designing watches—it’s about designing a life where curiosity and creativity can flourish. His “just do it” mentality is a call to action for anyone who feels disconnected from their creative side. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect idea. Jump in, make something, play again. Because, as Mathias shows us, the spirit of creativity isn’t something we lose with age—it’s something we need to nurture and protect, no matter how old we get.
