Vincent Plomb is a Swiss entrepreneur and designer whose career is defined by the founding of the independent watch brand Vicenterra. Born and based in the Swiss Jura, a region with a deep horological heritage, Plomb did not initially begin his professional life in watchmaking. He first trained as a draughtsman-builder and gained diverse experience in structural engineering and the design of precision casting molds.

His transition into the horological industry began in the 1990s when he worked as a technician drawing plans for watch parts. In 1999, he specialized further by joining a watch case manufacturer, where he developed technical expertise in 2D and 3D design. Following the closure of that company, Plomb transitioned to independent work, founding his parent company, Realis, on December 1, 2003. This venture focused on the development and outfitting of watch exteriors and micro-mechanics for various brands.

By 2005, Plomb began developing his own concepts for astronomical complications. His vision focused on creating “kinetic poetry” through 3D displays of celestial bodies within a timepiece. This research led to the creation of two prototypes in 2008 that featured 3D complications representing the Earth, Sun, and Moon.

The global financial crisis of 2008 initially stalled his plans to launch a brand, but in 2009, Plomb conceived the GMT-3 model. Facing limited financial resources, he adopted a “souscription” (subscription) business model, a historical method famously used by Abraham-Louis Breguet. This strategy allowed collectors to pre-order and fund the production of the timepieces. In 2010, the Vicenterra trademark was officially registered, and by October of that year, the minimum number of pre-orders was met to begin manufacturing.

Under Plomb’s leadership, Vicenterra has become known for its unique tonneau-shaped cases and proprietary modules integrated with reliable Swiss movements like the ETA 2892. The brand’s identity is centered on the signature rotating 3D Earth globe, which completes a revolution every 24 hours. Following the success of the GMT-3, Plomb expanded the brand’s offerings with collections such as the Tycho Brahe and the Astroluna, the latter featuring hand-painted miniature globes and aventurine glass dials.

Throughout his career, Vincent Plomb has emphasized a decentralized production model, collaborating with a network of specialized artisans and partners within the Jura region. His approach to watchmaking combines his background in mechanical design with a focus on human relationships and transparent entrepreneurial practices. Today, he continues to lead Vicenterra as an independent manufacture, producing small-batch timepieces that emphasize celestial complications and Swiss craftsmanship.