Schwarz Etienne: Tracing its roots and Incredible journey to In-house Watchmaking Marvel

Etched in history and housed in a stunning century-old villa in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, lies the captivating brand of craftsmanship - Schwarz Etienne. This independent watchmaking company’s journey began in 1902 when its founders, Paul-Arthur Schwartz and Olga Etienne tied the knot. Inclusive of descendant ventures such as Alpha and Venus, the brand’s tale becomes more fascinating in its modern era, which is wrote through a storied blend of continuous growth, resilience and innovation.

From 2024, the brand has been helmed by Florian Brossard. Under his leadership, he saw to the launch of the 1902 collection, an exquisite line of dress watches that redefined standards for the brand. This range of design refinements met an unrivalled attention to detail, all the while augmenting the in-house movements both mechanically and visually.

One of the brand’s latest collections, as of 2026, is the ‘Synergy’ by Peter Speake. It is based on the 1902 Power Reserve. The collections under ‘Synergy’ label at Schwarz Etienne celebrate collaborative spirit, as evidenced in the projects with Kari Voutilainen. The ‘Synergy’ with Peter Speake encapsulates his creative vision, translated beautifully onto a Schwarz Etienne timepiece- evident on the dial, inspired by some of his modern creations. The watch’s intricate detailing has rendered it strikingly dimensional while maintaining a sleek profile at just under 11mm thickness.