Santi, whose full name is Santiago Pérez Salgado, is one of the three co-founders of Minor, an independent Spanish watch brand established in 2018. Based in Spain, the company was born from a shared vision between Santi and his brothers, Héctor and César, to create a horological legacy that honors their family heritage.

The inspiration for the brand and Santi’s entry into the industry is deeply rooted in the life of his grandfather, Santiago Salgado Menor. A fervent watch enthusiast, the elder Santiago discovered his passion for Swiss horology in the 1950s after emigrating from Galicia, Spain, to Venezuela, where he worked with Cupello, a prominent Swiss watch distributor. He instilled this appreciation for craftsmanship and technical detail in his grandsons, providing the foundation for their future entrepreneurial venture. The name Minor is a direct tribute to their grandfather’s surname.

Within the brand’s structure, Santi contributes to the development of timepieces that combine Spanish design with Swiss manufacturing. Although Minor is a family-run microbrand headquartered in Spain, Santi and his partners ensure that all watches meet “Swiss Made” standards, with final assembly and movement production taking place in Switzerland. This approach allows the brand to offer limited-edition mechanical watches that reflect both personal family values and high-end technical specifications.

Since the brand’s launch, Santi has been instrumental in establishing Minor’s identity as a boutique manufacturer focused on exclusivity and transparency. Under his co-leadership, the brand has integrated traditional elements, such as handmade leather straps from renowned Spanish artisan Jacob Straps, with modern Swiss engineering. His work continues to focus on growing an international community of watch enthusiasts while maintaining the personalized, close-knit attention characteristic of a family-owned business.