Dominique Guenat is a prominent Swiss entrepreneur and a pivotal figure in the luxury horological industry, best known as the co-founder of the Richard Mille watch brand. Born into a family with deep-rooted traditions in watchmaking, Guenat represents the third generation of the Guenat family to lead Guenat S.A. Montres Valgine (GMV). The company, based in Les Breuleux within the Swiss Jura, was originally established in 1900 by his grandfather, Ali Guenat.
Guenat joined the family enterprise in 1986 and assumed leadership as its head in 1991. Under his direction, Montres Valgine navigated the evolving landscape of the Swiss watch industry, maintaining its reputation for high-quality production and assembly. His tenure is marked by a transition from traditional methods to modern industrial excellence, ensuring the company’s survival and growth through various economic cycles.
The most significant chapter of Guenat’s career began in the late 1980s when he met Richard Mille while both were working in Besançon for the Compagnie Générale Horlogère. The two developed a close professional relationship and personal friendship. In 1998, when Mille decided to launch his own luxury watch brand, he presented the concept to Guenat. Together, they drew up plans for the Richard Mille brand in 1999, partnering with Montres Valgine and the Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet.
In 2001, Guenat and Mille officially founded Horométrie SA, the operating company for the new brand, where they served as equal partners. Guenat’s expertise in manufacturing and management was instrumental in realizing Mille’s vision of creating “racing machines for the wrist.” His company, Montres Valgine, became the primary site for the development, production, and assembly of Richard Mille timepieces, blending avant-garde materials like titanium and carbon with traditional haute horlogerie.
Beyond the technical operations, Guenat has been a central figure in the brand’s strategic growth. His leadership helped establish a vertically integrated manufacturing structure, including the creation of ProArt, a facility dedicated to producing cases and movement components. Today, Dominique Guenat remains deeply involved in the business alongside his children, Maxime and Cécile Guenat, who hold key leadership and artistic roles within the organization. His legacy is defined by his ability to bridge a century of family watchmaking tradition with the disruptive innovation of one of the world’s most exclusive luxury brands.