PATRICK ALEXANDRE ULM,
Passionate and entrepreneurial
2018, a creative thought…
In 2018, Patrick Alexandre Ulm, Charles Girardier’s spiritual successor, explores the Geneva watchmaker’s past through the acquisition of vintage pieces at auction. This revelation triggers the birth of a new chapter for the once sleepy Maison Charles Girardier.
Guided by a burning passion, he imagined and conceptualized the rebirth of this watch brand in a contemporary version, while preserving its historic heritage. This new chapter celebrates the watchmaker of the 18th century, while appropriating the codes of the present.
“Our company is founded on deep-rooted values of dedication, heritage preservation and exceptional craftsmanship. We believe in preserving the soul of Charles Girardier, perpetuating his legacy, and constantly drawing inspiration from our history to shape unique watch collections. Each timepiece carries this ethic, this timeless elegance that defines our identity.”
“Our mission is to reintegrate the history of exceptional watchmaking into the present by reviving the House of Charles Girardier.” “We are committed to preserving the historical legacy of Charles Girardier while shaping a contemporary watch brand that fuses exquisite mechanical artistry with exceptional craftsmanship. Each movement of our timepieces embodies the splendor, elegance, and mystery of a bygone era, evoking a past of excellence while embracing the future of contemporary watchmaking.”
2020,
consecration for the Charles Girardier brand
Creativity, quality, and success are at the forefront!
Triumph of the exceptional ladies’ watch from the 1809 Signature Mystérieuse® collection, “Fleur de Sel” (reference: CG-1809 37/1WG Ice Blue), winner in 2020 of the prestigious Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie in the “Ladies’ Complication” category.
A STORY LIKE NO OTHER
Charles Giradier dit «L’ainé» (1759 – 1839)
Charles Girardier, nicknamed “Girardier L’ainé”, was a master watchmaker active in Geneva from the second half of the 18th century to the early 19th century. Its renown rested on its expertise in Geneva enameling, characterized by hand-painted miniatures on the dials of its clocks. He was also passionate about art-mechanics and was known for his creations of animated scenes (saynètes), notably automata, including the famous Jaquemarts.
These features were not simply technical feats, but also added a dimension of visual intrigue to his creations. He used traditional goldsmithing techniques such as hand engraving, guilloché, arabesque art and enamel painting, giving his pieces an unrivalled singularity.
His unwavering commitment to authenticity and uniqueness has earned him widespread recognition. He was commissioned to design watches for eminent personalities of the time, including royalty and political leaders.
When, at the turn of the 19th century, European watchmaking reached new heights in terms of precision, the time was right to offer customers even more ingenious and sophisticated curiosities and entertainments. The era of repeating watches and automata.
The dial, small and sometimes eccentrically placed, leaves an exploitable surface, which the watchmaker’s imagination seizes upon. The subjects that lend themselves to automata are varied: the most common are Jaquemarts, imitated from those installed on large steeple clocks and other campaniles. Arranged on the face of the watch dial, or on a plate hidden beneath the case bowl, executed in colored golds, the little characters stand out against a background of enameled or engraved decoration, dressed in antique or fashionable costumes.
Despite his significant contributions, Girardier’s name would remain silent for nearly two centuries after his death.
A HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE
In the world of watchmaking, pearls have always been symbols of quality and authenticity. They certify the craftsmanship, precision and integrity of a watch. Often surrounded by a frame, they evoke protection, prestige and the value of the art they contain.
At Charles Girardier, the hallmark is much more than just a hallmark: it embodies our independence and absolute standards. It guarantees that every movement we design meets the highest standards of fine watchmaking in terms of finish, precision and durability, and reflects the very essence of watchmaking mastery.
THE CHARLES GIRARDIER HALLMARK
The Charles Girardier hallmark is a benchmark of quality that goes beyond the standards of the Swiss watchmaking industry. It expresses our simultaneous commitment to innovation and tradition, affirming that each timepiece is conceived as an exceptional work of horology.
This living hallmark evolves with technical progress and embodies the founding principles of the Maison: independence, creativity and innovation. Under the impetus of our Chairman, Patrick-Alexandre Ulm, the seal is based on 38 internal quality criteria, divided into four main pillars that structure each of our creations.
FINISHING & EXPERTISE
At Charles Girardier, excellence is in the detail. By deliberately limiting our production to less than 500 watches a year, we give each piece the time and attention that authentic hand-finishing demands.
As an integrated watchmaking company, we design and develop in-house the movements, cases, dials and essential components of our watches. The Charles Girardier Seal certifies that every component meets the highest quality standards, making each watch a true work of horological art.
PRECISION
Time measurement is at the heart of every Charles Girardier watch. The Seal guarantees remarkable precision, with a running tolerance of between -1 and +2 seconds per day.
This uncompromising commitment ensures that our timepieces are not only objects of beauty, but also time-measuring instruments of exemplary reliability. Each movement reflects our determination to achieve absolute precision.
SUSTAINABILITY
Our watches are part of the heritage of historic pocket-watch movements, renowned for their robustness and longevity. This proven architecture inspires the development of our Manufacture calibres, designed to span generations.
As a tribute to the watchmaking ingenuity of yesteryear, we have also reintroduced an old-fashioned power reserve measurement system, directly inspired by Girardier pocket watches. This technical solution, revisited using contemporary methods, combines heritage and innovation, ensuring solidity and lasting functionality.
AUTHENTICITY & ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOL
In the history of watchmaking, hallmarks have been designed to certify the authenticity and quality of a timepiece or its movement. Their frame symbolized the protection, legitimacy and integrity of the work performed.
The “CG” monogram of the Charles Girardier hallmark pays tribute to our history. It is inspired by the initials engraved on our first manufacture movement, the PL01 caliber, developed for the Plénitude model launched in 2026. His design echoes the fluid, ornamental style of Charles Girardier the elder’s original signature.
The hallmark frame is inspired by the decorative codes of the late XVIIIᵉ and early XIXᵉ centuries, honoring the founder’s legacy. It embodies the Maison’s commitment to tradition and ensures that its creative spirit lives on in each of our watches.