CÉDRIC JOHNER

Today, Cédric Johner practises his traditional skills on a daily basis in his workshop in Geneva, using entirely traditional tools. Every piece he makes passes through his hands to be carefully designed, crafted, sculpted and decorated. He is the guardian of an age-old craft that few still perpetuate with such passion. He now shares his journey with the world through his creations.

In his own words, Cédric Johner practices "intuitive watchmaking". In other words, he makes his watches without plans. He makes a first component, then the next, which will fit in. And so on, until the finished, decorated watch. Watch after watch, one at a time, on demand, just a few units a year. He often starts with existing movements. He loves vintage mechanisms. He selects them for the balance of their architecture, for their condition. Then he dismantles them, restores them, decorates them and reassembles them. He then moves on to the trim, which he makes in his workshop, by hand, starting with raw or barely shaped metal, which he manufactures on conventional machines. No plans, no computer assistance.

He works alone. And with just his two hands, he can do anything. How does he do it? That's the story of Cédric Johner. A craftsman in a class of his own, he has lived through all the changes in the industry and practised every trade. His career began with an apprenticeship as a jeweller with Chopard. He went on to train as a watchmaker. But it was practice that taught him everything. He took advantage of every opportunity and every encounter to learn.

He became self-employed immediately after completing his apprenticeship. Putting himself at the service of customers, he made bespoke pieces. Jewellery, bracelets, cases, complete watches. One day in the 1990s, he took the plunge and made his first watch, for himself. He designed a case, which he named Abyss. A unique design. One of its distinctive features is a hexagonal dial opening. On this basis, he would indulge in all manner of variations, from three hands to grand complications. He developed his own decorations, using the traditional machines such as his tapestry of beads made with a perloir, a pure jeweller's tool.

There was one thing missing: to create a less exclusive piece, not reserved for collectors, but without making any concessions and retaining all the signatures of his art.

He is now taking individual orders, creating unique piece upon requests.