As family, friends, and partners come to terms with the void left behind, many will reflect on the impact of Jean-Marie’s presence not only on their personal lives, but also on his mission to restore the watchmaker to his rightful place in the horological pantheon.
“With Jean-Marie’s passing, contemporary watchmaking has lost one of its most original figures, a free and creative spirit. He had extraordinary energy and was a man of passion and firm convictions, who left a deep impression on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” writes board member and acting CEO Kurt Kupper.
Originally from Corban in the Swiss Jura Mountains, watchmaking was in Jean-Marie Schaller’s blood. He grew up “knowing that a watch is no ordinary object: it is a cultural testimony, a legacy inherited from a generation of craftsmen. In a watch, you see the brain of the engineer, the heart of the designer, the eye of the artist, and the hand of the watchmaker. Indeed, the watch is an objet d’art in harmony with the real values we harbour inside ourselves as human beings.”
Inspired by Louis Moinet’s artistry and horological brilliance, Jean-Marie set out to guide the creation of exceptional haute horlogerie pieces, now in the hands of collectors and aficionados around the world, which have garnered a slew of design awards and Guinness World Records.
His son, Nathanaël, is set to continue his work with the support of a team deeply committed to the values that have driven Les Ateliers Louis Moinet for more than 20 years. Kurt will remain acting CEO.
I met Jean-Marie briefly at Watches and Wonders 2025, after publishing a Louis Moinet feature based on an interview with Kurt in our March 2024 issue. I was constantly amazed at the time and trouble Jean-Marie took to help find the hi-res image we needed. You would think a CEO would have better things to do, but that is the kind of personal involvement I’ve experienced with independent watch brands in general when I’ve had the privilege of meeting executives during my annual visits to Geneva.
Jean-Marie made a lasting impression on me. I still have such a vivid image of him from last year. He was easy to spot because of his height, but this time he was wearing a brightly coloured, flamboyant jacket. I remember thinking how well it suited the bold, avant-garde brand he had built.
His team has always been just as welcoming and encouraging whenever I’ve visited the booth, for which I’m grateful. My thoughts are with the Schaller family, Micaela, Raphaëlle, Dominique, Christopher, Nathanaël, and everyone who loved and respected him.
