Valbray
TypePrivate company
IndustryWatch Making
Founded2009
FounderCôme de Valbray and Olga Corsini
HeadquartersRomanel sur Morges, Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Websitewww.valbray.ch

Valbray is a Swiss watch company co-founded by Côme de Valbray and Olga Corsini in 2009. The brand's collection is based on a patented, camera-shutter-like dial system called Oculus that enables indications, mechanisms or art on the dial to be displayed or concealed by rotating the bezel.

History

Côme de Valbray and Olga Corsini founded Valbray near Lausanne, Switzerland in March 2009. de Valbray had a background in microtechnology and business and experience in watch manufacturing and an interest in photography.[1] Corsini had a degree in jewelry design and experience working for Gucci, Bulgari, and Chaumet.[2]

The premise of Valbray's collection was to incorporate an element into the dial of a watch that was similar to the shutter of a camera. Valbray invented and designed the mechanism over two years and called it the "Oculus". It was patented in 2010,[3] the same year that the Valbray brand first exhibited four prototypes at the Baselworld watch fair.

In May 2013, Valbray opened a factory in Romanel sur Morges, Switzerland. By 2014, Valbray employed 12 people. They manufacture watch cases, hands, dials, and shutters and straps.

Watches

Valbray main products are the Oculus V01 Chronograph in a 46 mm case and Oculus V02 Grand Dateur in a 43 mm case.[4] All of Valbray's timepieces use Swiss Made, Automatic watch movements.

in 2014 Valbray worked with Leica Camera to create the Valbray EL 1 Chrono.[5][6] EL stands for Ernst Leitz, who was one of the founders of Leica. One hundred of the watches were produced: 50 in a titanium case and 50 with a black DLC (diamond-like carbon) finish.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Valbray Watches on Independent Watchmakers">Valbray Watches on Independent Watchmakers
  2. ↑ Huyton, Steve (2014-06-05). "Valbray Oculus Chrono Achromatic Black". Total Design Reviews. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  3. ↑ Valbray dial patent dial
  4. ↑ / Valbray Opens its Shutters
  5. ↑ Leica Celebrates 100 Years: A Factory Tour In Wetzlar, Germany on Quill & Pad
  6. ↑ Very Special Limited Edition EL 1 Chrono With Valbray on Quill & Pad
  7. ↑ The Valbray EL1 "100 Years Of Leica Photography Edition" (Details & Pricing)
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