Harry Guhl is a Swiss entrepreneur and art expert best known for his role in the modern revival of the historic watchmaking brand Czapek & Cie. Born in Basel, Guhl established a professional foundation in the contemporary art world, serving as a gallery owner and later as the head of VIP relations for Art Basel. His expertise in brand strategy and art consulting has seen him work with major luxury entities, including the Rolls-Royce art program.

Guhl’s entry into the horological industry is defined by his unique strategy of acquiring intellectual property rights for defunct or dormant watch brands. In 2008, he identified the legacy of François Czapek, a 19th-century master watchmaker and initial partner of Antoni Patek, as a significant opportunity for resurrection. By 2011, Guhl had re-registered the Czapek & Cie name in Geneva. To realize this vision, he partnered with marketing specialist Xavier de Roquemaurel and master watchmaker Sébastien Follonier, officially relaunching the brand in 2015.

As a co-founder and the primary shareholder of the revived Czapek & Cie, Guhl was instrumental in implementing a disruptive business model. He championed the use of equity crowdfunding, a first for the luxury watch industry, which allowed collectors and enthusiasts to become shareholders. This “horizontal manufacturing” approach prioritized transparency and collaboration with specialized Swiss artisans rather than traditional vertical integration.

Under his initial leadership as president, the brand launched its inaugural collection, the Quai des Bergues, which won the Public Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2016. While Guhl primarily focuses on brand concept and conceptual design rather than daily operations, his influence is evident in the brand’s commitment to “sharing value” and maintaining an emotional connection with its community of collectors. Beyond Czapek, Guhl has been involved with other horological ventures, including the brands Chronotechna and Sequent. He currently divides his professional time between Switzerland and Dubai, continuing to operate at the intersection of the art and luxury watch markets.