Manufacturer: Sylvain Pinaud Year: 2024 Movement No: 18 Model Name: Origine Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, inhouse caliber, 22 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Sylvain Pinaud pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Sylvain-Pinaud fitted box, guarantee and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Discreet yet highly talented, Sylvain Pinaud is one of the most lauded contemporary and independent watchmakers to come on the market in recent years. After having spent a large part of his childhood next to his father’s bench watching him restore timepieces, Pinaud decided to embrace the same profession. After his studies, he joined Franck Muller in the complications department, followed by a stint restoring antique clocks and watches and finally by joining THA (of Journe, Halter and Flageollet fame).
Pinaud always stated that he desired to set off on his own even when he was in watchmaking school and he finally took the plunge and worked relentlessly over a year on his first wristwatch, a unique monopusher chronograph for which he won, in 2019, the extremely prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France’s best craftsman) award. This award is open to different and varied crafts such as cooking, carpentry, embroidery and of course watchmaking. In 2022, Pinaud who was at the time relatively unheard of, launched his brand and his first “serially produced” wristwatch (considering that he makes a handful of watches a year is hardly “serial” production) the Origine, that hit a chord with collectors. Rapidly orders grew, waiting lists counted in years, culminating in Pinaud winning the Revelation category at the GPHG the same year.
Fully designed by Pinaud the movement features an incredibly architectural display with a large 13mm visible balance at the 6 o’clock position with offset hours/minutes and seconds indications. The movement on the back is also finely hand finished with superb contrast between the grainé plates and highly polished angles. The present Origine is the first to grace the auction market (other than a unique piece offered at OnlyWatch charity auction in 2024). Even if the Origin is Pinaud’s first timepiece it displays dexterity, maturity and the soul of one of the most exciting and promising young watchmakers to have appeared in recent years.
