Vincent Bérard
History
Vincent Bérard's story
A different vision of time
The company Vincent Bérard SA is the expression of a passionate artist with multiple talents: Vincent Bérard, creative watchmaker, artist and “Companion of time” inspired by the spirit of the medieval master builders and the master watchmakers from antiquity.
After spending 20 years perfectioning the art of restoring antique clocks and major complications, Vincent Bérard realised his vision of an alternative form of watchmaking art with the establishment of his own watchmaking company in the spring of 2003. It is his belief that the true tradition of the art of watchmaking is not in the reproduction of the available but rather in the further development of the “state of the art” in conjunction with new ideas and inventions, quite in the spirit of those behind the foundation of the watchmaking tradition several centuries ago.
Forming the past into the sprit of the times in order to create new forms – that is the vocation of this “sculptor” of the art of watchmaking, for whom art and technology are in a constant state of exchange. Yet rather than making aesthetics bow to technology, at Vincent Bérard, function always follows the form: the mechanism must conform to the spatial resources specified by the creative watchmaker. To this end, masterly performances of a technical nature are sometimes required: the position of the balance wheel arranged offset to the 3 o’clock position to enable it to fit into the dome of the casing, or the design of the staggered spindle-shaped bridges of the exclusive calibre VB 441 mechanism are examples of this unique method. Vincent Bérard watches are made exclusively on the company’s premises, developed, decorated and assembled by hand.
Vincent Bérard SA has been part of the Timex Group (TGBV) since 2006, thus providing the company with the resources required for long-term development.
2003 Vincent Bérard establishes the “Vincent Bérard SA – Companion of Time” watchmaking company in La Chaux-de-Fonds, after having gained over 20 years’ experience in the restoration of antique clocks and the manufacture of major complications.
2004 Vincent Bérard completes the realisation of an exclusively hand-made unique piece with a diameter of 91 mm: the “Quatre Saisons Carrosse” watch, Spring design – the archetype for his future creations.
2005 The unique “Quatre Saisons Carrosse” collection of watches by Vincent Bérard goes down a storm at the BaselWorld trade fair and at the Horological Academy of Independent Creators (AHCI). Launch of the new collection of wristwatches in a contemporary design bearing the name “Fuseau de l’Infini”.
2006 At the suggestion of Herbert Gautschi, Vincent Bérard SA becomes part of the Timex Group of watchmakers (TGBV), thus safeguarding the resources required for long-term development. Herbert Gautschi takes on the function of General Director, responsible for the organisation, marketing and international sales of the brand, while Vincent Bérard assumes responsibility for creative management.
2008 Presentation of the “LUVORENE I” collection and its variation “LUVORENE Quatre Saisons”. Establishment of the international sales department.
2009 The new workshop is opened. Presentation of the “LUVORENE 2” and “Talismane” collections.
2010 Manufacture Vincent Bérard becomes partner of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.
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