Luxury watch auctions reimagined: Marteau & Co launches a new concept celebrating independent watchmakers with rare timepieces
Geneva’s Marteau & Co sets a new standard in watch auctions by putting independent watchmakers front and centre. Its inaugural auction, opening on October 15, 2025, presents 25 exceptional watches crafted by leading independent creators—each accompanied by its own unique story, many shared directly by the artisans in the auction catalogue. Among the standout pieces are a rare pink gold Centigraphe by FP Journe, the very first pink gold Chopard Quattro Spirit 25 (case No 1 of 100), a stunning De Bethune DB25sQP and an rare prototype tourbillon sports watch made and owned by the founder of Ming.
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FP Journe Centigraphe in pink gold (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
FP Journe Centigraphe in pink gold (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
FP Journe Centigraphe in pink gold (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Ming Tourbillon (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Ming Tourbillon (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Ming Tourbillon (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
The founders behind this visionary platform, Arthur Touchot and Léonard Pictet, bring expertise and genuine passion to the venture. Touchot, formerly a senior executive at a leading global auction house and an editor at a luxury watch publication merges storytelling with strategic insight to build a fairer auction ecosystem. Pictet, with 15 years in maisons including Jaeger-LeCoultre and A Lange & Söhne, offers craftsmanship knowledge and client relationship building experience. Together, they have crafted Marteau & Co as a transparent, creator-focused alternative that reconnects value with those who bring watches to life.
Marteau & Co’s auction model represents a significant departure from tradition. Independent watchmakers receive a guaranteed three per cent commission from the final sale price—a fresh approach that recognises their artistry and labour even in the second hand market. Sellers pay a simple flat fee of US$ 622 (CHF 500) per watch, covering all logistics and promotion. Most auction houses charge buyers fees of 25 to 30 per cent, but Marteau & Co sets its fees at a lower rate of 20 per cent. This transparent and fairer fee structure encourages trust and invites collectors to participate repeatedly.
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De Bethune DB25sQP (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
De Bethune DB25sQP (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
De Bethune DB25sQP (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Chopard LUC Quattro Spirit 25 (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Chopard LUC Quattro Spirit 25 (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Chopard LUC Quattro Spirit 25 (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Chopard LUC Quattro Spirit 25 (Photo: courtesy of Marteau & Co)
Marteau & Co goes beyond auctions with its Journal section on its website, home to the “Behind the Bench” series. This feature allows collectors to meet the watchmakers face-to-face through their own words, shedding light on craftsmanship and passion. The latest story introduces Daniel Roth, whose tourbillon timepiece features in the first auction—a reminder that every watch available for auction is a labour of love as much as it is a collectible.
As consignments open and the auction unfolds, Marteau & Co invites watch lovers to embrace a more thoughtful, transparent and connected approach to collecting, where the creativity and lives behind the watches are valued in equal measure.
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