In the esteemed watchmaking hub of Fleurier, two youthful Belgian artisans, Bernard van Ormelingen and Bernard Braboretz, have established L'Atelier Bernard, defying conventional expectations. Far from the image of seasoned horologists, these two Bernards, both in their mid-twenties, are revolutionizing independent watchmaking with their commitment to entirely handcrafted timepieces. Their workshop, nestled among renowned manufacturers, is a testament to their shared passion and unconventional path, emphasizing meticulous detail and a profound respect for traditional craftsmanship.
The genesis of L'Atelier Bernard was not a commercial venture but an organic evolution from a deep-seated enthusiasm for horology. Bernard van Ormelingen, at 27, honed his skills at the Institut d'Art et de Technique in Namur, Belgium, and later at Jaeger-LeCoultre. His early fascination with guilloché, the intricate art of hand-engraved engine turning, led him to acquire his mentor's lathe, ultimately establishing a unique niche for himself. Meanwhile, Bernard Braboretz, 26, embarked on a self-taught journey, refining his craft in workshops near Belgium's famous Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit. He gradually amassed his own tools, meticulously hand-making components and perfecting his art without formal institutional training, a testament to his innate talent and dedication.
Upon meeting in Belgium, their shared vision swiftly led to the conceptualization of their inaugural timepiece. This collaborative endeavor eventually brought them to Fleurier, a pivotal location in Swiss watchmaking, where their uncompromising philosophy took root. Their mission was clear: every aspect of their watches, from initial sketches to the final calibration of the balance wheel, would be executed personally by them. This commitment meant eschewing machinery for essential tasks and limiting external suppliers to only fundamental components like mainsprings, hairsprings, and jewels. Their initial output was a mere six watches, each a product of slow, disciplined, and rigorous craftsmanship, reflecting their full personal responsibility at every stage of creation.
Their debut creation, aptly named "The Owl" watch, is a limited edition of just six pieces, with three being produced annually in 2026 and 2027. Each piece is a marvel of manual artistry, with every component, from movement plates to bridges, painstakingly crafted by the duo in their Fleurier studio. "The Owl" immediately captures attention with its striking openworked architecture, eschewing a traditional dial. Its inverted movement and richly layered, three-dimensional bridges draw the observer's gaze deep into the intricate mechanics. Two prominent, symmetrically hand-guillochéd barrels, evoking an owl's watchful eyes, dominate the upper section, while a sizable balance wheel gracefully hovers above the main plate.
A closer inspection of "The Owl" watch reveals a wealth of original and sophisticated details. The watch case boasts a gracefully sloped profile, an unconventional 12 o'clock crown, and distinct angular lugs. A remarkable ultra-domed sapphire crystal provides an expansive view of the movement and its deliberately slow-beating regulating organ from various perspectives. Time is elegantly indicated by flame-blued hands set against a translucent sapphire ring. Echoing vintage pocket watches, a small pin at the cannon pinion's end secures the hands. The hand finishes, including raw frosted surfaces on German silver and exquisite concave chamfering, impart a palpable sense of bespoke craftsmanship and vitality. The old-style parachute anti-shock device perched atop the balance bridge adds another layer of aesthetic and functional charm.
What truly distinguishes "The Owl" is its re-engineered duplex escapement. This historical mechanism, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, fell out of favor due to its demanding precision, susceptibility to shocks, and complex lubrication requirements. However, the Bernards bravely revived it, rejecting the more common Swiss lever escapement. The duplex escapement operates with two sets of teeth, eliminating the need for a separate pallet fork. One set provides locking, while the other delivers impulse to the balance. This direct impulse system necessitates robust torque and precise regulation, hence the inclusion of substantial twin barrels that ensure a 45-hour power reserve despite a slow 1.5 Hz beat rate. To enhance durability, a safety rake and counterweight mechanism prevent overbanking during impacts. The monobloc escapement wheel, a significant manufacturing challenge, and a three-part variable inertia balance, paired with a Breguet overcoil hairspring, underscore the duo's technical prowess.
Flipping the watch over, the rear aesthetics perfectly complement the front. The most noticeable feature is an oversized wheel, integral to the gear train driving the escapement, a design choice necessitated by the escapement's torque requirements. This dedication to mastering the escapement, the very core of watchmaking, is particularly impressive given the youth of these two watchmakers. L'Atelier Bernard's "The Owl" is not merely a superb timepiece but a compelling harbinger of the innovation and artistry to be expected from this emerging duo. With only six pieces destined for collectors in 2026 and 2027, L'Atelier Bernard is rapidly becoming a name of considerable interest in the world of contemporary independent horology.
L'Atelier Bernard, guided by its two young and talented founders, Bernard van Ormelingen and Bernard Braboretz, has carved a distinctive niche in the high-end watchmaking scene of Fleurier. Their inaugural timepiece, "The Owl," stands as a powerful symbol of their unwavering dedication to traditional, handcrafted excellence and their bold reimagining of historical horological mechanisms like the duplex escapement. This limited edition series not only showcases their exceptional skill and innovative spirit but also signals a vibrant future for independent watchmaking, emphasizing bespoke artistry over mass production.