Desbiolles Artisans Horloger
Founded 1986 • Geneva, Switzerland
Label Patina certified • Member since 2026
How Can They Help You?
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40+ years of experience,
40+ years in business -
Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Cartier
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CHF 2k - 85k+
The Story Behind Desbiolles Artisans Horloger
Where four generations of watchmaking mastery meet the art of restoration.
Founded in 1986 by Yvon Desbiolles, a legendary watchmaker trained at Geneva's prestigious School of Watchmaking, Desbiolles Artisans Horloger represents the rarest form of horological excellence: a family business where restoration craftsmanship defines identity. Yvon, recognized across Europe as "le meilleur réparateur horloger de Genève," has spent over five decades bringing damaged and rare timepieces back to life, from museum-quality pocket watches to complicated automata and orphaned vintage brands. His philosophy remains uncompromising: "Everything must be done as the ancients did, with identical pieces, absolute respect for tradition." Today, his son Fabien leads operations after ten years of intensive apprenticeship alongside his father, ensuring that the family vocation, horlogerie since four generations, continues with the same dedication and technical mastery that defines the atelier.
What distinguishes Desbiolles is its integrated workshop-boutique model: every watch offered for sale has been personally authenticated and restored in-house by master hands. This is not a retail dealer that sources and resells. This is a restoration master who sells only what he has personally brought back to life, guaranteeing a level of condition and authenticity impossible to find elsewhere. The curated pre-owned collection spans Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Cartier, priced from CHF 2,000 to CHF 85,000+, each piece representing generations of horological knowledge.
The Experience
Located at Boulevard du Théâtre in Geneva's Old Town since 1986, Desbiolles occupies a historic atelier steps from the Grand-Théâtre, embodying centuries of watchmaking tradition. Hours remain traditional, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, reflecting the craft-focused identity. Visits are by appointment, ensuring personal consultation with Fabien or Yvon, who together bring sixty-plus years of combined expertise. Here, you experience Geneva's watchmaking heritage not as marketing narrative, but as lived practice: a workshop where complications are restored, where historical accuracy trumps modern convenience, and where family legacy remains the foundation of everything offered.
What Makes Them Unique
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Desbiolles' most distinctive competitive advantage: four generations of watchmaking vocation within a single family lineage. This creates authenticity that cannot be manufactured or acquired
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Desbiolles' operational foundation: restoration mastery unavailable from most competitors. This differentiates fundamentally from pure retail dealers.
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Deep horological knowledge accumulated over four generations, manifest in authentication rigor and provenance understanding.
Label Patina Friends say...
“This is a multi-generational watchmaker shop which will be able to help you either find your next watch or take the greatest care of it. Their small curation of watches will always have you come back."
— George, Label Patina Mystery Shopper
Ready to Connect?
Discover Desbiolles Artisans Horloger for yourself. Whether you're seeking a specific timepiece or exploring what's possible, reach out directly to begin your journey. They're ready to help you find the watch you've been searching for.