ollowing in the footsteps of his forebears, René Beyer trained as a watchmaker, graduating from the renowned watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds. His early years took him to the United States, where he gained valuable experience working with leading watch dealers in New York and San Francicso. He also worked in Germany at Wempe.

At just 23, he assumed leadership of the family business alongside his mother, Annette, later joined by his sister, Muriel. From 2003 onward, he helmed Beyer Chronometrie as its sole director – the eighth generation to do so. Under his stewardship, the business celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2010. The following year, he nearly doubled its retail space and opened Switzerland’s first – and still only – Patek Philippe boutique operated by a retailer.

Driven by a vision of “concentrated expertise under one roof,” René Beyer relocated the watchmaking workshop from its old premises in Wiedikon to the modern space above the Patek Philippe boutique. In 2020, he led a comprehensive renovation of the premises.

René Beyer’s passion also extended to the Beyer Watch Museum, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. A project close to his heart, he expanded and refined the collection. Today, the museum is one of Zurich’s most cherished cultural landmarks.

René Theodor Beyer

Despite stewarding a business steeped in tradition, René Beyer embraced innovation. In a bold move, Beyer Chronometrie became the first watch retailer in the world to launch an NFT collection – the virtual watches sold out within minutes.

Of all his passions, few brought him as much joy as his bees. He installed the first colonies on the roof of Beyer Chronometrie, trained as a beekeeper and proudly harvested the first jars of honey – soon to become a beloved signature gift of the company. Equally captivated by trams and locomotives, René curated a valuable model railway collection and served for many years as president of the Zurich Tram Museum Association.

On April 13th, 2025, René Beyer passed away after a long and courageous battle with illness. Since the summer of 2024, his sister Muriel had taken over the management of Beyer Chronometrie to ensure a smooth transition and continued legacy.

Our thoughts are with his wife Renée, his family and the entire team at Beyer Chronometrie. René Beyer leaves behind not only a legacy of excellence in watchmaking, but a life rich in curiosity, creativity, and care – for tradition, for innovation and for the world around him.