What We Create Lives Once
Independent Atelier Dedicated to
Watch Customization Since 2005
Founded in 2005, Artisans de Genève is a Swiss watchmaking workshop dedicated to the personalization of timepieces. We bring together artisans and master craftsmen whose expertise enables us to meet even the most demanding requests.
Every project begins with a personal intention — that of an owner wishing to transform their watch into a unique piece, one that reflects their history and sensibilities. Our role is to understand this vision, to guide them, and to apply the craftsmanship required to bring this intention to life.
2005
Creation of Artisans de Genève SA, Switzerland and first customization
The story of Artisans de Genève began in 2005, when John Isaac opened his first workshop in Paris. Under his own name, he designed and produced small series of watches in the purest artisanal spirit. Trained at the Dubois-Huguet workshop under the guidance of Christian Delaquaize, he learned the rigor and precision demanded by fine watchmaking. Inspired by his grandfather, a tailor, he was already nurturing the idea of a bespoke service, where each watch would be treated as a unique piece.
2006
First workshop established in Carouge, Geneva, in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Scherrer
The following year, John moved to Carouge to join the workshop of Jean-Pierre Scherrer, an emblematic figure in watchmaking prototyping who had devoted more than forty years of his life to creating models for the greatest Swiss houses. This collaboration marked a turning point: the two artisans combined their expertise to offer a complete customization and restoration service, laying the foundations for what would become Artisans de Genève.
2009
First customization on an automatic watch
After three years of development and refinement, the workshop presented its first creations. Bringing together the best of Swiss craftsmanship, it developed specialized skills to meet every customization request. Very soon, international collectors turned to the workshop to design unique pieces — openworked movements, gold oscillating weights, hand-finished details — all of which would become hallmarks of Artisans de Genève.
2011
Artisans de Genève workshop installed on Rue du Rhône, Geneva
Two years later, the workshop moved to Rue du Rhône, in Geneva. This new space made it possible to welcome clients in a dedicated setting and to strengthen the personalized relationship with each of them. The team then consisted of five artisans, all driven by the same passion for craftsmanship and the desire to push the boundaries of bespoke watchmaking.
2013
An affirmed identity: Artisans de Genève
The workshop officially adopted the name Artisans de Genève. This change of identity crowned nearly a decade of work and exploration guided by a single vision: to offer collectors the possibility of reinterpreting the most iconic watches through the lens of Swiss artisanal savoir-faire. Under this new name, Artisans de Genève affirmed its vocation — to bring together exceptional independent craftsmen to create, restore, and customize unique timepieces, entirely handcrafted for each client.
2016
Collaboration with Lenny Kravitz
John Isaac met Lenny Kravitz in Paris. It was the first time an international personality had approached Artisans de Genève for a customization. Lenny Kravitz had long been searching for a workshop capable of adapting his watch to his personal taste, as he did with his other belongings. Impressed by the workshop’s work and approach, he encouraged the discreet maison to communicate about the project — giving Artisans de Genève worldwide recognition.
2017
Collaboration with Spike Lee
During a trip to New York, John Isaac met Spike Lee. A cultural icon of American cinema, Spike Lee wanted to customize one of his favorite watches as a tribute to his two great passions: the New York Knicks — through the use of orange and blue — and cinema, with the engraving “Cool Hand Brooklyn”, a nod to “Cool Hand Luke”, the film starring Paul Newman.
2018
A new era for Artisans de Genève
Artisans de Genève moved into a new workshop on Boulevard Helvétique in Geneva, now employing around a dozen artisans. That same year, Juan Pablo Montoya entrusted the workshop with the customization of his favorite watch. Accustomed to custom engineering in Formula 1, he wanted to reveal its inner mechanics. To realize his vision, the team achieved its first complete skeletonization of a movement — a technical feat that would become one of the maison’s signatures.
2019
Collaboration with Rubens Barrichello
Rubens Barrichello turned to Artisans de Genève to customize one of his favorite watches. Seeking to revisit a previous horological experience, he requested a skeletonized movement while preserving perfect legibility of the dial. His signature colors — black, red, and white — were integrated into a unique piece reflecting both his personality and his motorsport heritage.
2020
Collaboration with John McEnroe and Mika Häkkinen
Tennis legend John McEnroe commissioned Artisans de Genève to customize a watch that reflected his character — understated, technical, and perfectly balanced. The workshop created a piece in black and gray tones, featuring a left-positioned crown for optimal comfort on the wrist. That same year, Formula 1 champion Mika Häkkinen requested a watch inspired by his universe — neutral shades, the blue of Finland, and touches of titanium evoking his racing machines.
2021
Collaboration with Captain Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd)
Artisans de Genève settled on Rue du Général-Dufour in Geneva, with a team that had grown to seventeen artisans. That year, Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd, entrusted the workshop with the creation of a watch inspired by his nights at sea under the moonlight. To bring his vision to life, the team developed a moon-phase module integrated into his favorite model, with a blue aventurine dial reminiscent of a starlit sky.
2022
Collaboration with Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon and Lance Armstrong
Artisans de Genève produced several unique pieces for prestigious collectors. For Andrea Pirlo, the workshop skeletonized, for the first time, an automatic haute horlogerie caliber, giving the watch unprecedented transparency and lightness. It also customized watches for Lance Armstrong — featuring his iconic black and yellow palette — and for Gianluigi Buffon, whose piece evoked his career through a “Clous de Paris” bezel and a distinctive single hand, symbolizing his identity as the number-one goalkeeper.
2023
Collaboration with Adam Levine
Adam Levine, singer and passionate collector, entrusted Artisans de Genève with the customization of a watch blending vintage spirit and modern design. The workshop developed for him a hybrid sapphire dial incorporating a luminescent plate and a matching insert — a first for the maison. The result: a unique timepiece that combines the charm of classic watches with contemporary technology.
2024
Creation of a handcrafted dial workshop dedicated to private clients
Artisans de Genève continued to grow, strengthening its in-house capabilities with the creation of its own artisanal dial and case workshop — meeting the ever-increasing expectations of a clientele in search of excellence. That year, to fulfill a commission from a collector fascinated by the cosmos, the workshop designed a dial carved from a Namibian meteorite, paired with a grand moon-phase in aventurine and mother-of-pearl — entirely developed in-house.
2025
New workshop established on Rue Rodolphe-Toepffer, Geneva
In its constant pursuit of perfection, Artisans de Genève formalized a certification process with TimeLab, the Geneva institution dedicated to horological quality, thus laying the groundwork for official recognition of its artisanal excellence. The year also marked the move to new premises in Geneva’s Old Town, along with the creation of new departments — including gemology and watch design — offering clients an ever more complete and refined experience.
Bespoke Watchmaking
Our work is driven by the desire to stand apart, to create pieces unlike any other. We champion the importance of individuality and the preservation of Swiss artisanal know-how, which gives meaning to every creation.
What We Create Lives Once
Every customization begins with your watch.
The one you already wear and love.
We honor its history and add your own.
We Are Artisans
Engravers, watchmakers, enamellers, gem-setters…
Our hands master centuries-old techniques.
Every gesture brings your story to life.
Bespoke, Piece by Piece
Everything we craft is handmade, with precision
and patience.
Component by component, detail by detail.
Our approach is intuitive, sensitive, human.
Our Inspiration
The watchmakers of old.
Those who created with trust and closeness.
Together, we revive this art of bespoke watchmaking.
Our Approach
Free, human, artisanal.
We celebrate personality and uniqueness.
We seek the emotion that reflects you.
Your Experience
You are at the heart of creation,
From the crafts and techniques to every aesthetic choice.
Everything is designed with you. A personal project.
The Hands Behind the Craft
There are 52 of them today.
Some sculpt the metal, others shape the light, transparency or material.
All share one requirement:
that every gesture be precise, sincere, and meaningful.
The Hands Behind
The relationship with the owner lies at the heart of our approach: understanding their story, their desires, their sensibilities. We value emotion over transaction, placing the human element at the center of every stage.
Meet the team who embodies this philosophy: our collaborators.
About
“I’m a director and creative producer at Artisans de Genève. Before that, I ran my own production agency for 15 years. What drives me is telling stories: writing a film, building a narrative that truly reflects the client’s personality, turning ideas into images. My works starts long before the camera rolls: I write, interview and look for the right tone. Every project is unique, just like each of our customizations. I listen, adapt and try to translate into images what the artisan expresses through their craft.”
What does your job at Artisans de Geneve involve?
“Nothing we do is standard. Every project is a human adventure. We create timepieces that reflect the people who wear them, working with the best artisans and full creative freedom. We tell genuine stories with depth and meaning. That’s what sets us apart.”
About
“I manage digital communication at Artisans de Genève. My role is to connect the Maison’s DNA with the outside world. I make sure word, image and video tells our story with emotion and coherence. I look after everything that speaks about us. What drives me is, visually and emotionally, bringing the work of our artisans to life, as well as, sharing the story behind every client and project.”
What does your job at Artisans de Geneve involve?
“It’s a Maison that puts people at the heart of everything. From personalization to communication, everything carries our handmade signature and reflects our identity. We speak with honesty and character. Our focus is always on people - the artisans, their craft, their talent, and our clients, in everything we create, from the watch to the image.”
About
"I’m in charge of logistics, planning and inventory at Artisans de Genève. I make sure that every component arrives at the right time, so our clients’ watches can be personalized without delays or interruptions.
With more than ten years of experience in manufacturing and with watchmaking suppliers, I have a global view of the entire process. My role is to connect suppliers, parts and our workshop, making sure everything flows smoothly, from brief to final assembly. What drives me is precision. Every detail matters and every minute counts."
What does your job at Artisans de Geneve involve?
"Here, we start with existing watches to create fully personalized pieces. Few workshops go this far. We delve deep into the details, pushing the limits of craftsmanship and materials, giving value to every step of the process. It’s this collective strength that allows us to bring to life creations that exist only once."
What We Create Is Crafted To Last
A 7 year warranty. TIMELAB certification. Our customizations are tested according to the highest standards. Each watch comes with an official certificate and an international 7 year warranty.
Your Customization Starts Here
Share your story. Your timepiece becomes its reflection.