Schwarz Etienne in the Modern Age: A new chapter with the 1902 GMT edition

Recognized for their self-sufficient manufacturing capabilities— complete with designing, movement development and assembly under one roof— Schwarz Etienne has established a unique place in the horology landscape. This Swiss brand, under the direction of Florian Brossard since 2024, has cultivated a distinct, contemporary brand identity, deeply rooted in technical craftsmanship.

Their recent launch of the 1902 collection, aptly named after the year the company was founded, showcases their technical prowess and design sophistication. Two remarkable 39mm titanium pieces were unveiled first— the 1902 Petite Seconde and the 1902 Réserve de Marche. These watches featured classic sector-style dials and the brand’s in-house micro-rotor platform.

Schwarz Etienne offers the 1902 GMT in two tasteful finishes— a grained silver and a deep sunray blue, both elevating the multi-level style of the dials. The watch privileges legibility, featuring lancine-style hour and minute hands for local time and a prominent GMT hand to indicate the 24-hour ring. The dial layout is sharp, clear, and refined, capturing functionality and elegance in one strike.

The new model is powered by Schwarz Etienne’s ASE 320.00 automatic, a micro-rotor calibre which is assembled in-house. The GMT hand can be adjusted independently. Furthermore, the movement is compact, minimising to 5.35 mm in height due to the micro-rotor, which sits flush with the adjacent bridges. Additionally, it incorporates an in-house developed ball bearing to enhance winding efficiency. The array of finishing touches is purposeful— six bridges with polished inner angles, a sandblasted rhodium-plated main plate and a chevron-patterned micro-rotor.

The 1902 GMT is available via Schwarz Etienne boutiques and selected retailers. It is adorned with a rubber-lined alligator strap for added security and style and comes with a matching grade 5 titanium pin buckle. This watch is a sophisticated blend of refined aesthetics and state-of-the-art mechanics, embodying the rich heritage and continuing innovation of Schwarz Etienne.