When Joana and Anouk chat about their lives, they employ a similar vocabulary. “Ambition“, “success“, “progress“, “intensive“, “powerful“ and “dynamic“. There is no hint of self-doubt or weakness, Joana and Anouk are focussed on winning. It is a recipe that has served them well. In 2020, they won several me- dals, culminating in Gold at the European Championships in Jurmala. Moreover, they are ranked No 12 in the world, albeit the Swiss pairing continue to strive for even more success.

Joana’s journey began when she watched her compatriots, Patrick Heuscher and Stefan Kobel win bronze at the Olympic Games in Athens. She immediately knew that she wanted to compete in the sport. Anouk’s romance with beach volleyball followed a different route. Her father was an elite indoor volleyball player who represented the French National Team, while her mother played in Switzerland’s women’s volleyball first league. It was her parents who attracted Anouk to indoor volleyball before she went on to compete in beach volleyball.
 

One glance at their honed physiques reveals these two elite athletes are dedicated to their craft. Stéphane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix, states, “Joana and Anouk are incredibly focussed. They are dedicated to their sport and driven to succeed. These characteristics resonate with our brand and no doubt the many wearers of our watches. It is for this reason that we selected Joana and Anouk for the ML Crew. We look forward to joining them on their journey as they pursue even greater success.“

As beach volleyball duo, Joana cites two particular reasons for choosing Maurice Lacroix, “We like the idea of being associated with a brand that is known for making accessible and quality watches that are perfectly suited for daily wear. They encompass traditional Swiss craftsmanship and incorporate numerous refinements and details. They look incredibly elegant. In addition, we feel an affinity to the brand as it joins ML Crew members on their journey, sharing experiences together, both good and bad.” Anouk adds, “On the way to your goal, you experience great successes, encounter challenges and overcome obstacles. In the end, it is not merely the goal, but the story that is written along the way.”
 

The two athletes, who make up the Heidrich/Vergé-Dépré team, see precision as a characteristic common to both beach volleyball and watchmaking. As Joana explains: “To succeed on the field we must employ a winning blend of technique, performance and high precision. Clearly, these are prerequisites essential in the making of luxury watches.“

The two athletes have worked together 300 days per annum since 4 years. They are ambitious and their resolve remains undiminished: they want to win as many medals as possible, competing at major events such as the World Championships, the World Cup and the Olympic Games. There is no ambiguity, this duo know exactly where they are going.

(Images © Maurice Lacroix)