Watchmakers since 1887
Made to outlast.
Finished by hand, in small numbers.
Maison Aurel in numbers
- 1887the first watch, made in one room
- 212parts in every movement
- 40 hof finishing by hand
- 1,200watches a year, no more
The collection
Three watches, made slowly.
Each is cased in gold, wound by hand and numbered on the back.
Calibre AU-1
Two hundred and twelve parts. One heartbeat.
Every movement is built twice: once to check each part, then again for good. The bridges are striped by hand and every edge is polished until it catches the light.
- Winding
- By hand
- Power reserve
- 72 hours
- Beats
- 21,600 an hour
- Jewels
- Twenty-seven
- Parts
- 212
- Finishing
- 40 hours by hand
The atelier
Twelve watchmakers, one watch at a time.
Drawn
Every new watch starts as a pencil drawing at full size, twenty times over.
Cut
Plates and wheels are cut in the workshop, from bars of brass and gold.
Finished
Forty hours of polishing, striping and bevelling, much of it you will never see.
Tested
Thirty days on a machine’s wrist, in six positions and three temperatures.
Since 1887
Four generations, one name.
- 1887
One room, one bench and a pocket watch a month.
- 1931
The first wristwatch, made for a pilot. It still runs.
- 1969
The moon phase, right for 122 years before it slips a day.
- Today
Twelve watchmakers on one floor, and still no assembly line.
From a client
My grandfather’s Aurel still runs. I wind it every morning, and one day my daughter will.
Made to order
One watch, for one wrist.
Choose the dial, the gold and the strap, and add a line on the back in your own words. We make it in about six months.
- Dial
- Ivory, night blue or salmon
- Gold
- Yellow, rose or white
- Strap
- Leather, in eight colours
- Engraving
- Up to forty letters, by hand
For life
Every watch comes home.
The first service is ours
Bring it back after five years and we service it at no cost.
Parts for a hundred years
We keep the parts of every watch we have made, back to 1931.
From hand to hand
Your watch is serviced by the people who built it, never sent away.
Questions
Asked at the atelier.
How long does a watch take?
About four months for a watch from the collection, and six for one made to order.
Can I see a watch before buying?
Yes, at the atelier, by appointment. We set aside an hour for you and the watch.
How often should it be serviced?
Every five to seven years. Wind it a little each morning and it will keep good time.
Do you sell online?
No. Every watch is handed over in person, at the atelier or by one of our watchmakers.
The atelier
Visit, by appointment.
Tuesday to Saturday. Coffee, the workshop floor and as much time as you like.
Book a visit