Héctor Pérez Salgado is a co-founder of Minor, an independent Spanish watch brand that emphasizes family heritage and Swiss manufacturing standards. Alongside his brothers, Santiago and César Pérez Salgado, Héctor established the company in 2021 as a tribute to their grandfather, Santiago Salgado Menor. The brand’s name, Minor, is derived from their grandfather’s surname and serves as a direct link to the familial values and horological passion he instilled in them.
The inspiration for the venture dates back to the 1950s, when Santiago Salgado Menor emigrated from Galicia, Spain, to Venezuela. During his time there, he worked with Cupello, a major distributor of Swiss timepieces, developing a lifelong appreciation for the precision and craftsmanship of Swiss horology. This dedication to detail and quality was passed down to his grandsons, who sought to create a range of watches that reflected these principles.
Under the leadership of Héctor and his brothers, Minor has positioned itself as a boutique brand within the international microbrand community. Although the company is based in Spain and collaborates with local artisans—such as Jacob Straps for handmade leather components—the watches themselves are manufactured under the Swiss Made quality seal. This involves final assembly and quality control in Switzerland using Swiss movements, ensuring the timepieces meet the rigorous standards required by the Swiss Federal Council.
Héctor’s role in the brand is rooted in maintaining this balance between contemporary minimalist design and traditional technical excellence. By producing watches in limited annual numbers, he and his co-founders focus on exclusivity and the promotion of “contemporary luxury” that allows for individual self-expression. Through Minor, Héctor Pérez Salgado continues to honor his family’s history while contributing to the modern landscape of independent watchmaking.