Christophe Musy isn’t your typical watchmaker. He’s an engineer driven by precision, innovation, and a passion for breaking convention. From LEGO to gasket-free case design, his journey reflects a deep commitment to mechanical purity. At Mauron Musy, every watch has been built to defy expectations and redefine what Swiss Made can truly mean.
In a world that is dominated by centuries-old institutions, Mauron Musy is one of the rare independent brands that is rewriting the rules of Swiss watchmaking. Founded in 2013 by Eric Mauron and Christophe Musy, the brand was born from a shared ambition: to challenge the status quo with innovative engineering and bold designs. Located in the heart of the Swiss Jura region, Mauron Musy doesn’t just create watches; they rethink how they are built from the inside out.
This innovative thinking has led to Mauron Musy developing the first-ever 100% water-resistant case without using a traditional rubber gasket. The revolutionary nO-Ring® technology is a patented sealing system that is an ingenious design that not only has a major functional use, but also allows the case to be unique in its architecture. The mechanical construction of the cases defies the norms of modern watchmaking and places Mauron Musy in a category of its own. It’s not just clever engineering anymore: it’s a philosophy of longevity, repairability, and pure mechanical artistry.
One of the standout collections from Mauron Musy (there are actually quite a few) that showcases the brand’s playful yet precise side is the UNIX line. The collection features Mauron Musy’s patented nO-Ring® technology; however, aside from this rather rugged design, the collection more so veers into the more contemporary, lifestyle-focused territory. A perfect example of this is the collection’s latest update, which I covered in the article above: the UNIX Mayura. This is a striking model that features a grade 5 titanium case, which has undergone treatment through Advanced Arc Technology (AAT) to achieve an iridescent finish, giving the case a distinctive and unpredictable allure. This makes each individual model of the Mayura different from another, creating a unique aesthetic for each timepiece. The Mayura is not just a bold design move; it’s a statement of identity.
On the more technical and architectural side is the MU05 Skeleton Armure, a collection that embodies the full engineering might of the brand. This, for me, is my favourite collection from the brand. I love skeletonised watches, and Mauron Musy has nailed the dial architecture to make the skeletonised “structure” as artistic as possible. While the Blueprint models in the collection have stunning visual designs on the dial, it is the “Architect” that stands out, as the skeletonised framework of the dial was created using a computer algorithm! I had the chance to go hands-on with this timepiece when I was in Switzerland for Geneva Watch Days last year, and to say it left a lasting impression would be an understatement. The interplay of light across the openwork structure, combined with the raw titanium case and visible mechanical depth, made it one of the most unique and conversation-worthy watches I’ve ever worn.
Mauron Musy’s independence is more than just a status. Unlike many other “independent” brands, which still rely heavily on external suppliers, Mauron Musy sources 100% of its components from within Switzerland, often crafting parts in-house or through trusted micro-suppliers in the region. Sourcing the parts locally means that the quality of the components remains uncompromised, but what it does is also speak volumes about the brand’s long-term vision in a highly competitive field.
Now in its second decade, Mauron Musy is entering a brand new chapter. With Christophe Musy at the helm of the company solely after Eric Mauron’s departure, the brand seems to be more focused than ever on pushing mechanical boundaries, all the while keeping its feet firmly planted in Swiss roots.
Who Is Christophe Musy?
To really get a feel for the brand, you’ve got to know the person driving the vision behind it. Before Christophe Musy co-founded Mauron Musy with Eric Mauron, he came from the industrial sector, a background that gave him a completely different lens on how things should be made. It was this engineering background and knack for problem-solving that gave him the drive to try something different: creating a brand that manufactures differently.
As CEO, Christophe is not just the face of the company; he’s the engine. From overseeing product development to testing technical concepts himself, his fingerprints are all over the watches that come with the Mauron Musy name. However, beneath the technical ingenuity of the timepieces lies a strong belief in sustainability, independence, and building something that outlasts fashion cycles.
I had the chance to sit down with Christophe Musy for an in-depth discussion on the journey so far, the patented nO-Ring® technology, and what the future looks like for one of Switzerland’s most compelling independent watchmakers.
Engineering a New Direction: The Story of Mauron Musy
When Christophe Musy co-founded Mauron Musy in 2013, the brand wasn’t to disrupt Swiss watchmaking, at least, not right away. The original goal was rather quite simple: to make watches for the family. But for someone with a background in high-precision engineering, a “simple” design is never enough.
“In 2013, with my father-in-law, we decided to make watches for the family,” Christophe tells us. “At the same time, we wanted to develop a special technology that came from our knowledge of the mechanical industry. We wanted to make a watch without gaskets — something that gives the client comfort. They can wear their watch everywhere, anytime. And that also means less aftersales service, especially for water resistance issues.”
That concept, a completely gasket-free water resistance system, would go on to define the identity of Mauron Musy. Known as the nO-Ring® technology, this patented system uses a purely mechanical method to achieve a high-performance sealing without the need for a single rubber gasket or glue.
“The design comes from the technology. It’s like form and function — like Lego,” Christophe says. “There’s no gasket, no glue, no screws. It’s only mechanical water tightness. We play with the flatness of the components that make up the case — down to 100 nanometers of precision.”
The end result? A case that’s rated to 300 meters of water-resistance purely through pressure fitting and extremely precise tolerances between the various case components.
“The case is very flat, and the individual pieces are extremely precise. When the bezel is fitted into the case, it creates 20 kilograms of pressure. The water tightness comes from between the sapphire crystal and the titanium case construction. The case comes in four parts, and there’s only vertical pressure on the springs and sapphire glass.”
Between 2013 and 2016, Christophe and his team worked to perfect this technology before moving on to design the watches around it. Mauron Musy went international in 2018, launching in markets like Japan and the Middle East. In 2023, the brand entered the Australian market, something Christophe had long envisioned.
“In 2023, we also started to distribute the watches in your country — Australia. For me, it’s a great market for this type of watch. The size, the concept — it just fits.”
At Watchadvice, we couldn’t agree more. With a country surrounded by coastline and soaked in sun, the idea of owning a rugged, gasket-free, 300m water-resistant daily watch makes perfect sense. Following strong feedback at the Sydney International Watch Fair, it’s clear local collectors are paying attention.
Pushing the Technical Boundaries Further
With the unique case design now well-established as the core DNA of the brand, Christophe and his team turned their attention to what powers the watches. The focus since 2018 has been on building towards full mechanical independence. starting with partnerships and moving toward in-house development.
“I know this type of technology didn’t exist in the watch industry when we started,” Christophe explains. “Since 2018, we designed our first movement with La Joux-Perret. The components of the watch are 100% made in Switzerland, and 50% of the parts are made in our own workshops. We have the machines to manufacture them ourselves. The big turning point came in 2023, when Mauron Musy began developing its own in-house movements for its 41mm timepieces. That has been the main evolution for us. The future goal is to develop completely in-house movements for all our timepieces.”
Naturally, this requires the right partnerships, especially when it comes to sourcing ultra-specific components like balance wheels.
“ La Joux-Perret is one of the best movement manufacturers in Switzerland. But when we want to make a true 100% Swiss movement, we need different partners. For example, La Joux-Perret might work with ETA for the balance wheel, but ETA won’t always say it’s fully Swiss Made. So we work with another partner to keep every component locally produced. This way, we can proudly say it’s a 100% Swiss movement.”
“Creating an in-house movement is also very complicated! It takes a lot of time. For example, for the Mauron Musy Skeleton pieces we started to design and develop back in 2019. In 2024, the first pieces were delivered to the clientele. When you first design a movement, there is a lot of things to improve, numerous testing that needs to be carried out.”
A Background in Engineering, A Passion for Creation
Before entering the world of watches, Christophe Musy was a mechanical engineer with a lifelong passion for building and problem-solving. As a child, he spent numerous hours playing with LEGO, developing the precision and curiosity that would later define his career. His background in engineering and time spent in the plastics industry gave him a strong foundation in technical design. That same spirit of hands-on innovation now drives the mechanical mastery behind Mauron Musy.
“All my life, I made a lot of LEGO, and I loved that,” he says. “Then I studied precision mechanical engineering and spent a lot of time in the plastics industry. But when I turned 30, I wanted to do something different. I was interested in building guitars or other creative things. Watchmaking started as a hobby, I just wanted to tinker and build something new.”
It didn’t take long before his “tinkering” evolved into something far more serious. What began as personal projects for friends and family quickly grew into a pursuit of industrial innovation, one that would soon be showcased on one of the biggest stages in watchmaking.
“In 2015, a concept called the ‘Innovative Platform’ at Baselworld (now known as Watches & Wonders) asked us to present our nO-Ring® technology to other brands,” Christophe recalls. “The idea was for us to go to Baselworld and pitch the nO-Ring® technology to other watch brands. But we realised, instead of pitching the idea, why not build a brand around it ourselves?”
That decision shaped the next chapter of Mauron Musy. The first models were introduced in 2016, but like many small independents, they initially carried the Swiss Made label — a term that doesn’t always guarantee local production. For Christophe, that wasn’t good enough.
“At that time, the watches were only ‘Swiss Made.’ But we wanted to go further and create something that was truly 100% Swiss. So in 2018, we launched our first fully Swiss-manufactured watch.”
Built Different: The Brand’s Identity
If you’re new to Mauron Musy, there’s one defining feature that sets the brand apart, and Christophe doesn’t hesitate when asked what it is.
“It’s definitely the water-tightness. That’s the foundation of the brand. No one else in watchmaking does what we do. The brand’s nO-Ring® concept wasn’t inspired by other watches, it was born from engineering instinct, and refined over time through years of development.
“When we started building the first case, we spent three years refining the technology,” he explains. “The original design was more like circular components stacked together. But with every new version, the system became more precise and more elegant.”
There was also a personal motivation behind the innovation, making something his family could wear without the maintenance headaches many mechanical watch owners face.
“I love to break the codes or the laws of watchmaking. When it comes to watches, my family isn’t super familiar with them. If they have to send it in for service every few years just for water resistance, that’s not ideal. I wanted to make something different, something that doesn’t need that kind of care.”
A Compact Team with Big Ambitions
Unlike larger Swiss manufacturers with dozens if not hundreds of employees, Mauron Musy operates more akin to a high-precision workshop. The brand’s entire operation is built on the foundation of being hands-on, high-skill craftsmanship. Every component is either manufactured in-house or carefully overseen by a small, tightly knit team. It’s this lean and focused structure that allows the brand to maintain an exceptional level of quality and consistency.
“We’re a compact team — seven people in the watchmaking department and two for machining components,” Christophe shares. “We currently produce around 300 pieces per year, but the goal is to increase that to 600.”
To reach that goal of manufacturing 600 timepieces a year, the team at Mauron Musy is evolving its collections. As Christophe explained, the MU03, one of the earliest collections from the brand, may soon be retired to make way for fresh, contemporary pieces. The MU07 and MU08 lines are currently in development and are being built to showcase the brand’s mature design language and technical expertise.
“We also want to introduce more limited editions, bring more exclusivity to the timepieces, and continue refining the identity of the brand.”
The Collections: Four Distinct Personalities
The brand’s foundation may lie in its technical innovation, but its collection architecture shows that Mauron Musy is equally committed to creating diversity in its designs. Currently, Mauron Musy has four collections, with each line representing a different aesthetic and purpose: from the rugged daily wearers to futuristic art pieces.
“We have four different collections. The first is the MU03, which comes in various case sizes. It’s a three-hander timepiece with a 44mm case size and automatic movement with 55-hour power reserve. The movement is designed by us and made by La Joux-Perret. It’s a sporty but classic design that can be a great daily. The dial also has a very specific design, in that it doesn’t have glued hour indices. It’s made of different pieces that are fitted together, much like the case!”
Stepping away from the simplistic design of the MU03 is the more function-forward MU04 collection. This line is aimed towards collectors who want more practical complications, however, would still like a timepiece that feels sporty and contemporary on the wrist. With bold aesthetics and robust features, the MU04 collection was designed for versatility.
“Then we have the MU04, which is our GMT watch. This one, as you can see, is more sporty in design and has a 100% laser-engraved dial with luminescent indices. The bezel is ceramic as well and has a 24-hour GMT function. The base movement calibre is the same as the MU03, with only the GMT complication added in.“
When we look at the next collection, the MU05, things now shift dramatically into more artistic territory. This is where Mauron Musy truly flexes its technical and visual creativity, creating timepieces with an openworked aesthetic without sacrificing legibility or strength. The architecture of the movement becomes part of the watch’s visual identity, while limited production numbers add a level of rarity that serious collectors crave.
“The MU05 is specifically our skeleton collection. The Blackprint Titanium Skeleton models were limited to 13 pieces only. We worked with La Joux-Perret to design a movement that can be seen from the dial. We wanted to show the balance wheel, the barrel while still keeping the design “architectural”. The dial is inspired by blueprint designs, which is why you can see the background.”
Finally, the fourth collection, the MU06 UNIX, features timepieces that are more refined and minimalistic in design. While still retaining the brand’s rugged DNA, the collection has a more compact design, with a smaller case size compared to its counterparts. Still, it offers all the tech and precision Mauron Musy is known for, just in a slimmer package.
“The fourth collection is the MU06 UNIX, which is 41mm and thinner is size. We have found that this model is better suited for markets like Japan for example. The models come in titanium or in gold for a more luxury finish. A signature design of this timepiece is the small-seconds at 6 o’clock. The movement also features a micro-rotor and operates at 4hz with 40 hour power reserve.”
But what about those collectors who are looking to create something entirely on their own? Well ,Mauron Musy has an answer for that, too. The brand offers bespoke services for collectors who want to create a one-of-one creation, while still retaining the signature design and DNA of Mauron Musy. There aren’t too many Swiss watchmakers offering this kind of service!
“We also offer piece-unique or bespoke models,” Christophe says. “Different hands or dials, we can do it. But the case always stays the same. That’s our DNA.”
The Architect: When Algorithms Meet Horology
A timepiece that we had the chance to go hands-on with was Mauron Musy’s MU05-106 Architect. This watch falls under the brand’s skeleton collection, but it’s nothing like a traditional skeleton design. The brand really leans into thinking outside of conventional design with The Architect to create something visually striking.
This is a timepiece that is created entirely from a computer algorithm in collaboration with Arturo Tedeschi. Tedeschi is renowned for pushing the boundaries of algorithmic design, and his work spans across industries from architecture to automotive. This made him the perfect creative partner for a watch that breaks the rules of classic horology.
“In our approach to the “Architect’s” overall design, we engineered and were very precise. Everything is form and function. Its very architectural. We wanted to make something different and something that felt “architectural”. Arturo Tedeschi is an architect and computational designer based in Italy, and makes algorithmic designs in his work, so it was only natural that we collaborated to work together on this project.”
“The idea of this timepiece started as a concept of contemporary design. Arturo Tedeschi explains that working with Christophe, we wanted to create a piece that is reflective of contemporary time. It started with creating an AI algorithim with very specific parameters to create a skeleton pattern, which may look random, but its an order of the next level, something that you cannot immedialtely understand. The final design was put together with advanced pre-modelling software and then fabricated with CNC machines.”
Mauron Musy: Engineering The Future Of Watchmaking
Mauron Musy might be a relatively young brand when it comes to Swiss watchmaking; however, everything about the brand feels mature, confident, and mechanically driven. From the revolutionary nO-Ring® sealing system being the central theme of the brand’s DNA, the bold industrial design language, to growing in-house capabilities, Mauron Musy is a brand that’s doing things its own way. Christophe Musy’s engineering-first mindset is clearly shown through every part of the operation: from the high precision of the case construction to the calculated expansion of the brand’s different collections.
What sets Mauron Musy apart from the rest of the watchmakers isn’t just their independence, but also their refusal to follow trends. As we can clearly see through their various collections, each one offers a unique personality, while still staying grounded in the same brand DNA: technical ingenuity, bold identity, and Swiss-made transparency. As Mauron Musy continues to expand and scale up, it does so by refining its voice. In an industry that is filled with heritage and hype, it’s refreshing to see a brand that carves its place through innovation, authenticity, and raw mechanical design.