L’Atelier Bernard: The Owl – A New Era in Independent Swiss Watchmaking

L’Atelier Bernard has burst onto the watchmaking scene with their debut timepiece, "The Owl," embodying the spirit of true independent craftsmanship. Conceived and meticulously engineered by Bernard Van Ormelingen and Bernard Braboretz, both Belgian-born artisans now based in Switzerland, this watch is a focused celebration of traditional horological techniques elevated by bold creativity.

Design & Engineering

The Owl achieves remarkable symmetry and balance through its 39mm case with a crown positioned at 12 o’clock, paying homage to classic pocket watch shapes and maximizing visual harmony. Unlike most “independents” that rely heavily on outside components, Bernard & Bernard craft nearly all the critical movement elements—wheels, pinions, barrels, screws—by hand in their workshop, sourcing only essentials like jewels and springs. Their commitment to legacy methods includes hand-cut guilloché on the double barrels using an 1886 engine-turning machine, and a deep mastery of gold inlay learned from Belgian gunsmith Alan Luvenber.

Aesthetics and Finishing

Every detail is deliberate: concave beveling plays subtly with light, 24K gold lines on the bridges add understated luxury, and the sand-blasted and mirror-polished surfaces reflect old-world finishing standards. Even the blue steel hands echo the beveled bridge forms for coherence. The Owl’s open architecture offers a full view of its singular duplex escapement—the heartbeat of this timepiece—reviving a mechanism often forgotten in modern watchmaking for its complexity and low-frequency operation (1.5Hz).

Horological Rarity

Only six examples of The Owl will be produced (three in 2026, three in 2027), ensuring each piece receives the full passion and attention of its two creators. Such exclusivity matches the price point and the level of customization available—buyers can personalize inlay colors and even details like buckle engravings while the watch’s fundamental DNA remains intact: symmetry, historical accuracy, and artisan finishing.

Looking Forward

Bernard & Bernard are clear about their priorities—innovation in finishing and mechanical artistry over complications like tourbillons or perpetual calendars. Their future projects promise further exploration of unique escapements and synchronized movements, with prototyping always at the heart of their development.

The Owl is the opening chapter in what promises to be an inspiring journey for passionate collectors and connoisseurs of independent watchmaking.

Discover and follow L’Atelier Bernard’s journey on Instagram: @l_atelier_bernard