Born in 1975 in the Vallée de Joux, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking, Romain Gauthier grew up in an environment steeped in the world of horology. Although both of his parents worked for watch manufactures in the region, his true passion lay in music and audio equipment. He was not originally destined for a career in the watchmaking industry.
During his teenage years, he studied precision mechanics at the Technical School of the Vallée de Joux in order to become a constructor. His primary ambition, remained to work in the design of audio equipment. However, he soon found electronics too abstract for his liking and realised that he derived more pleasure during his studies from hands-on work—using a lathe and machining components such as axles and arbors for machines. He truly enjoyed this practical approach and began receiving awards for the quality of his work. To his own surprise, precision mechanics became his passion, and began to move closer to the watchmaking industry.
After six years of study at the Technical School and following his military service, Romain secured his first job as an automatic lathe technician for a big supplier of components for the watch industry.
Thinking about his roots in the Vallée de Joux, his engineering background, and his ability to manufacture components, Romain wondered why he had never tried to design his own watch. In his free time, he was already working on increasingly ambitious projects. Gradually, he began creating watch design and developing his own ideas. What started as a side curiosity quickly gained momentum: his projects became more serious, and before long, he set himself a clear goal—not only to create his own watch, but to establish his own watch brand.
Romain has now set his sights on building not just his own watch but also his own watch brand. He studies for an MBA in his spare time to get the know-how he will need. His final thesis is the business plan for his watch company.
Romain visits watchmaker Philippe Dufour to see if, in the modern age, one person can still create a movement on their own. Inspired, Romain is even more determined to pursue his dream of creating his own watch and brand.
Impressed by Romain’s design and ambition, his boss grants him after-hours access to the factory’s tools and machines so Romain can develop pieces for his movement. Romain spends evenings, weekends and holidays doing just that.
Romain founds his eponymous company in Le Sentier and, within the first year, employs his first watchmaker to hand-finish and assemble the movement he has been working on, Calibre HM 2206.
Calibre HM 2206 powers Romain’s first watch Prestige HM which we present at our debut Baselworld. The show is a success. Exuding all the traits of fine Swiss watchmaking, Prestige HM is the first piece to grace our Heritage collection
To complement our watchmaking atelier, Romain invests in a CNC machine park and sets up a team of production specialists so we can continue to develop our movements entirely in house.
We present Prestige HMS, an evolution of Prestige HM with added seconds and a more contemporary aesthetic, including a partly openwork dial.
We present Prestige HMS Natural Titanium, our first watch in titanium, launching our Freedom collection of timepieces featuring high-tech materials and a more casual style.
Featuring Romain’s revolutionary constant-force movement with ruby-link chain and push-button winding, Logical One is launched to much acclaim and puts Romain Gauthier on the horological map.
Logical One wins the prize for Best Men’s Complication Watch at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Oscars of watchmaking
Logical One Secret Diamonds (left) is launched and begins the Exception collection of unique pieces lit up by virtuoso displays of decorative crafts.
We bring together production and watchmaking operations at a brand new, purpose-built manufacture in Le Sentier.
The launches of Prestige HMS Black Titanium, Logical One Natural Titanium and Black Titanium, plus ‘Enraged’ limited editions of Logical One and Prestige HMS, ensure the growth of our Freedom collection.
The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie certifies that our level of expertise makes us a “fine watchmaking” company. We are awarded “contemporary brand” status in the foundation’s first white paper on fine watchmaking.
Boasting a finely-finished in-house calibre featuring bidirectional micro-rotor and 80-hour power reserve, Insight Micro-Rotor is our first automatic timepiece.
We are invited to join the SIHH watch fair in Geneva where we launch our first timepiece for women, Insight Micro-Rotor Lady, which shimmers and sparkles thanks to its mother-of-pearl dial and snow-set micro-rotor.
After 15 years of creation, innovation and technique implemented in each model of the brand, those unique timepieces truly contribute to the rich heritage of Swiss watchmaking with the introduction of “Legacy”.
A modern approach of the finger bridges, reflecting Romain’s vision of the evolution of tradition.
Romain Gauthier presents its first metal bracelet on the C by Romain Gauthier caliber. Entirely made of Grade 5 titanium, this is a modern and sophisticated bracelet which highlight traditional craftmanship.