The meeting

It was around a watchmaker's shop on August 26, 2000, that we met.

Two curious coincidences prompted us to immediately sit down at a near-by coffee shop and work at the creation of our enterprise.

• Christophe wore a watch he assembled himself which matched the outline Emile kept in his pocket.
• Christophe also spoke about his dream to create custom-made watches in an environment which enhances one's appreciation for the artisan's work while respecting watchmaking's heritage. Emile wrote these very thoughts on a second piece of paper which he also carried with him.

The keystone of this project is to be "RESPECTFUL" of the artisans, heritage, history of watchmaking, to have respect for the environment and, of course, the client. By respecting the watchmaking world, one imbues oneself with the incredible innovative spirit which has characterized its history. This is the very reason which inspired us to innovate, invent and contribute to this heritage from the beginning.

The company project

From September to December 2000, we worked at putting together a written document outlining our custom-made watch project.

On January 1, 2001, with a glass of Champagne, we created the Golay Spierer name. We, then, decided to apply for a spot under Genilem, spécialiste de l'encadrement d'entreprises innovantes en démarrage. Le comité de Genilem's umbrella, a company whose specialty is to support innovative undertakers at their start. We were selected by Genilem's committee on June 1st, 2001. Meanwhile, Christophe who had left his previous employment to pursue this dream was at that time working full-time on the creation of the Golay Spierer company.

On June 26, 2001 the Golay Spierer name became official. We opened the work shop in Carouge mid-September and the first watch (a chronograph numbered 2001-1001), a gift watch from Virginie to her father was delivered on Nov 23, the day before we inaugurated our workshop. Thus, The « Virginie » was the first custom-made watch by Golay Spierer.

The surprise

June 2001 was marked by wonderful news: Christophe found out through his uncle that, not only that he was one of the last person to have the name of his descendants among Suzanne Leresche and David Auguste Golay.His ancestors were the founders of the Golay Leresche name which was one of the most prestigious watchmaking name in Geneva, among others such as Patek Philippe & Vacheron Constantin, at the end of the 19th century.

The future

We chose to integrate the principles of sustainable development in all aspects of our business, that is to say with our artisans, also with our suppliers and our clients

We make decisions such in a way that we will be able to create high-quality within the next 20 years.

Personnal details

Because some of our friends asked to do it, we tell you how we arrived here : Chritophe Golay and Emile Spierer.