Sébastien Follonier is a Swiss master watchmaker and entrepreneur who played a central role in the modern revival of the historic watch brand Czapek & Cie. Known for his technical expertise in haute horlogerie, Follonier transitioned from a career at the workbench to becoming a key partner in one of the most successful independent watchmaking resurrections of the 21st century.
His professional journey is defined by a desire for creative freedom and a deep respect for traditional Swiss horological heritage. In 2012, Follonier joined forces with entrepreneurs Harry Guhl and Xavier de Roquemaurel to re-establish the Czapek name, which had been dormant since the late 19th century. Within this partnership, Follonier provided the essential technical vision required to translate the legacy of the brand’s namesake, François Czapek, into contemporary timepieces.
As a co-founder and the lead watchmaker of the revived maison, Follonier was instrumental in developing the brand’s inaugural collection, the Quai des Bergues. Launched in 2015, the collection featured a proprietary manual-winding movement inspired by a 19th-century Czapek pocket watch. His contribution ensured that the new releases maintained a high level of mechanical integrity and aesthetic coherence, balancing historical “fine classic watchmaking” with modern manufacturing standards.
Under his technical leadership, Czapek & Cie adopted a “horizontal manufacturing” model, collaborating with specialized Swiss artisans and manufacturers while maintaining in-house design and assembly. This approach led to the creation of several award-winning collections, including the Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph and the highly successful Antarctique integrated-bracelet sports watch. The latter featured the SXH5, the brand’s first movement entirely conceived and developed in-house, showcasing the evolution of the company’s engineering capabilities.
Follonier’s work has been recognized by the industry, notably through the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), where the brand won the Public Prize in 2016. In 2022, he saw the company reach a major milestone with the opening of its own production facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a move that significantly increased its independence and manufacturing capacity. Today, Sébastien Follonier remains a pivotal figure in the independent watch scene, continuing to drive the mechanical innovation and artisanal quality that define the modern Czapek & Cie legacy.