The first boutique for a team of independents opens in Geneva.

In an interview with the Europa Star watch magazine, the founder of the Genevan boutique Watchmakers United Maximilien Roussel-Galle has described the project as a collective venture.

The adventure began with the creation of the Luxogood digital platform behind the physical space Watchmakers United, and continues as they go online. Roussel-Galle is joined on his journey by 12 independent watchmakers from Switzerland and France.

They now have a permanent shop window to showcase their work to fans of original haute horlogerie. Each brand has its own highlight, so they don't even have to compete with each other.

Take Xavier Rousset as an example: the grandson of Lucien Bouvier, who co-founded the Fraporlux dial factory, focuses most of his attention on the dials. In 2020, Rousset launched the Xrby concept, where dials become a canvas for various artists to express their creative visions.

Marie-Aude Acker and Guillaume Sireyx from Keris hope to revive interest in wall clocks. Their recent novelties included the WOW! Clock, where a screen displays a timekeeping wristwatch in wall-clock format.

Bastien Vuilliomenet who represents the brand Lundis Bleus at the boutique specializes in creating enamel dials. Each piece by the Neuchâtel-based brand is unique, and the company has an annual output of less than 100 pieces.

The boutique also presents watches by the brand Skill, which Olivier Mory has been developing since 2016. The watchmaker who works in La Chaux-de-Fonds is not only famous for his timepieces, he's also known for his collaborations with other brands. One example would be the tourbillon movement he created for the brand BA111OD.

Shona Taine worked with Olivier Mory to create her brand's first watch with a tourbillon, date, moon-phase display, and indication for the 100-hour power reserve on the movement side.

The French watchmaker John-Mikaël Flaux has worked on complicated watches at Ulysse Nardin, and he likes to think outside the box when it comes to forms of expression. His creations include timepieces shaped like cars and bees.

Samuel Gillioz, who began his career at Vacheron Constantin's Les Cabinotiers department, creates watches in wooden cases under the brand Kauri.

Other members on the team at Watchmakers United are Vincent Plomb and his brand Vicenterra, Armand Billard with his brand Sartory Billard, Cédric Johner, Philippe Narbel, and Colin de Tonnac with his Semper & Adhuc watches.