Independent watchmakers

Independent watchmakers

THE WATCH FILES

Independent watchmakers

From F.P.Journe to Kari Voutilainen, a selection of Europa Star articles on the vibrant independent watch stage.

“For Moritz Grossmann, it's all about finishing”

“For Moritz Grossmann, it’s all about finishing”

In today’s horological world, where complications have become increasingly accessible, the ultimate frontier lies in finishing. One German haute horlogerie (...)

Gerald Charles: a new generation, a triumphant return

Gerald Charles: a new generation, a triumphant return

After taking the helm of the company, founded in 2000 by Gérald Charles Genta and developed by the Ziviani family since 2003, Federico Ziviani decided to (...)

Eberhard & Co. elevates its lineup with a new generation onboard

Eberhard & Co. elevates its lineup with a new generation onboard

Since 2019, the independent brand has forged a clear strategy: opening its museum and revitalising its heritage, developing its own manual winding (...)

Claude Meylan: “We weren't expected in this category”

Claude Meylan: “We weren’t expected in this category”

Specialising in skeleton watches and inspired by the natural surroundings of the Vallée de Joux, Claude Meylan has quickly made a mark in women’s watches (...)

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Byrne: changing faces

Byrne: changing faces

Despite the many newcomers swelling the ranks of watch brands each year, genuinely innovative concepts are few and far between. Launched in 2022, indie (...)

Formex: extreme shapes meet sport-chic

Formex: extreme shapes meet sport-chic

Now managed by a family-owned group specialising in watch part production, Formex has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since its Kickstarter relaunch in (...)

Raúl Pagès: when the tortoise becomes a hare

Raúl Pagès: when the tortoise becomes a hare

Raúl Pagès, the overjoyed recipient of the Louis Vuitton prize designed to encourage independent watchmakers, has pursued a horological career path of (...)

“We're bursting with ideas for new Ming models”

“We’re bursting with ideas for new Ming models”

Q&A

With its highly original design language, Ming, a watch brand based in both Malaysia and Switzerland, is one of the new independent names that have seen (...)

In Geneva, a new space for artisans of the watch industry

In Geneva, a new space for artisans of the watch industry

Under the name of Watchmakers United, a new arcade on the shores of Lake Geneva hosts independent watchmakers from Cédric Johner to John-Mikaël Flaux, Shona (...)

Urwerk: reflections on the nature of time

Urwerk: reflections on the nature of time

When the Urwerk brand was born back in 1997, it took a certain amount of idealism on the part of its founders to offer an alternative approach to (...)

Louis Moinet Cosmopolis: the watch that fell to Earth

Louis Moinet Cosmopolis: the watch that fell to Earth

Jean-Marie Schaller, owner and creative director of Louis Moinet, has presented a highly symbolic timepiece. Hours are shown not by markers but by (...)

Titoni: looking beyond China

Titoni: looking beyond China

INTERVIEW

The independent brand from Grenchen, whose growth going back to the 1950s has been driven by China, is now looking to expand in Europe. We spoke to co-CEO (...)

Bovet 1822: a singular brand

Since 2001, Bovet’s legacy of mechanical excellence combined with artistic refinement has been in the care of Pascal Raffy. Intact after two centuries – the (...)

Greubel Forsey: onwards and upwards

Greubel Forsey: onwards and upwards

Greubel Forsey, which turns 20 next year, is expanding in multiple ways. The brand is doubling the size of its Atelier, releasing numerous new models, (...)

Trilobe: a movement to liberate time

Trilobe: a movement to liberate time

The Parisian brand celebrates its fifth anniversary at the end of the year and in that short time has caused quite a sensation. Here’s the story of a watch (...)

XRby: the magic potions of dial-maker Xavier Rousset

XRby: the magic potions of dial-maker Xavier Rousset

On October 1st, 2020, the day his brand XRby was launched, Xavier Rousset crossed the Rubicon. This micromechanical engineer from a lineage of dial-makers (...)

Norqain: fast track to growth

Norqain: fast track to growth

Launched barely five years ago, the outdoor-focused brand has its watches in the windows of the most prestigious retailers. Behind Norqain is an (...)

Armin Strom returns to its first in-house watch

Armin Strom returns to its first in-house watch

Carrying on the “transparent mechanics” concept of the eponymous watchmaker, the brand launched by childhood friends Serge Michel and Claude Greisler has (...)

Zannetti: Italian art and craft applied to watchmaking

Zannetti: Italian art and craft applied to watchmaking

For 40 years, the Roman workshop has patiently delivered a profusion of designs in complete independence, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and (...)

Czapek set to launch a fifth collection

Czapek set to launch a fifth collection

A name brought back to life less than a decade ago, Czapek subscribes to a policy of managed growth in a buoyant market. The launch of the Antarctique (...)

Kross Studio: the mechanics of resilience

Kross Studio: the mechanics of resilience

Set up during the pandemic by the former team at RJ Watches, the Swiss design studio has multiple strings to its bow as an in-demand contractor and a (...)

Watch Q&A with... Oliver Ebstein – Chronoswiss

Watch Q&A with... Oliver Ebstein – Chronoswiss

“Reviving an icon from the past for our 40th anniversary”

Watch Q&A with... Mario Peserico – Eberhard & Co.

Watch Q&A with... Mario Peserico – Eberhard & Co.

“Strengthening our relations with retailers: our policy is to sell only through them”

Watch Q&A with... Stéphane Waser – Maurice Lacroix

Watch Q&A with... Stéphane Waser – Maurice Lacroix

“Continue to spread the word: we still haven’t reached everybody”