When Arthur Touchot called us on a quiet weekend afternoon, his excitement was unmistakable. He wanted to share something he had been working on for the better part of a year.

While timepieces by independent watchmakers often fetch record-breaking prices at auction, the artisans behind them are rarely part of the conversation, let alone the beneficiaries of those soaring hammer results. It’s an accepted norm in the industry. But what if things could be done differently?

Marteau & Co. was founded by Arthur Touchot (Left) and Leonard Pictet (Right)

Co-founded by Touchot and his good friend Léonard Pictet, Marteau & Co. offers exactly that — a brave new path that reimagines the traditional auction model by placing the watchmakers themselves at the heart of every transaction. More than just an auction house, it’s a platform dedicated to celebrating independent artisans.

Watchmakers deserve fair recognition for their contributions.”
— Arthur Touchot, Co-founder of Marteau & Co.

Marteau & Co. reimagines the traditional auction model by placing the watchmakers themselves at the heart of every transaction. This isn’t just an auction house — it’s a platform dedicated to celebrating independent artisans and giving them the visibility, recognition, and reward they deserve.

Marteau & Co. Maker’s Fee

Key to it all is its unique proposition of a “Maker’s Fee.” Every auction at Marteau & Co. includes a 3% guaranteed fee or “Maker’s Fee” for the original maker, distributed from the requisite buyer’s premium at auction, thus ensuring that each sale supports the watchmakers directly. Winning bidders also receive documentation and authentication issued by the creators themselves, ensuring both confidence and provenance. It’s a first-of-its-kind model — a true win-win for collectors and creators alike.

“Independent watchmaking needs space — to take risks, to challenge expectations, to fail beautifully — and still be supported. That will only happen if we, the collectors, help make space for it”
— Open Letter by Arthur Touchot, Co-founder of Marteau & Co.

Its very first auction is aptly named The First Strike, a curated selection of 25 extraordinary timepieces. It includes prototypes, No. 1 engraved editions and historically significant pieces from the early wave of independent watchmaking such as Daniel Roth, Urban Jürgensen, and Andersen Genève, alongside contemporary icons like MB&F, De Bethune, Laurent Ferrier, and Romain Gauthier. Some of these watches are rarely, if ever, seen at auction. Others are making their auction debut exclusively through Marteau & Co.

Here’s a look at three of our favorite lots:

1. Lot 18: Chopard L.U.C 1860 ‘Revolution Edition’ 22/50

Of course, the first pick is one of our favorite collaborations and, in our admittedly biased opinion, one of the most beautiful iterations of the Chopard L.U.C 1860 ever made.

The Chopard L.U.C 1860 ‘Revolution Edition’ takes its place as Lot 18

Numbered 22 of 50 pieces

This special edition retains the same elegant proportions as the original 1997 model, with a 36.5mm “Lucent Steel” case and a time-only layout. Its 18-carat yellow gold dial showcases Chopard’s signature sunray guilloché, rendered in a sublime tone that sits between salmon and gold. 

We created just 50 pieces, and they sold out instantly, making it one of our most successful collaborations to date. Even now, collectors continue to ask about it. For those who missed out during the launch, this is a rare second chance to own one of these remarkable watches.

36.5mm is a perfect gentlemen size.

In amazing full-set condition

Here, we see piece number 22 of 50, in excellent, full-set condition — a true gem for collectors, simply because it’s that good.

Estimate: CHF 10’000 – CHF 20’000

2. Lot 23: Habring2, Doppel 3 Limited Edition for Horlogerie Suisse 4/5

One of the surprise highlights making its market debut is this elusive piece created in 2014, the very first collaboration between independent watchmakers Maria and Richard Habring and the watch magazine Horlogerie-Suisse, with direct input from Max Büsser, founder of MB&F.

Habring2, Doppel 3 Limited Edition for Horlogerie Suisse occupies Lot 23

The Habring² Doppel 3 is limited to just five pieces and features a split-seconds chronograph, a complication closely associated with Richard Habring — but here reimagined in a unique mono-pusher configuration.

Traditionally, Habring’s split-seconds chronographs use two pushers for the start, stop and reset functions of the chronograph and another for the split-seconds function. For this special edition, however, all chronograph operations are compressed into a single pusher, creating both mechanical elegance and visual symmetry reminiscent of timing instruments from the 1960s. The watch is powered by Habring’s A08MR MONO calibre, a refined, manually wound movement that showcases the brand’s mechanical ingenuity.

Habring’s A08MR MONO calibre

Minimalistic full set with only five pieces ever made

This is truly a special piece and a rare opportunity for collectors to own a tangible piece of independent watchmaking history from one of the most respected modern masters of the split-seconds chronograph. Lastly, it’s simply a beautiful watch.

Estimate: CHF 5’000 – CHF 10’000

3. Lot 04: Daniel Roth, Régulateur Tourbillon Ref. 2187

One of the earliest creations from legendary master watchmaker Daniel Roth and a remarkable expression of his artistry, the Régulateur Tourbillon Ref. 2187 is housed in the brand’s signature double-ellipse white gold case and featuring a dual-sided display.

Daniel Roth, Régulateur Tourbillon Ref. 2187 represented in Lot 04

Daniel Roth’s signature double-ellipse white gold case measuring 38mm x 35mm

Roth founded his namesake brand in 1988, following a defining period at Breguet during the 1970s where he played a key role in reviving traditional designs and mechanical complications. It’s clear that his time at Breguet profoundly influenced his design language. As Roth himself once shared, his dream was to create a brand that not only honors the legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet, the godfather of modern watchmaking and inventor of the tourbillon, but one that also expresses his own distinctive design language.

The one-minute tourbillon with three small seconds hands mounted on the rotating tourbillon cage with dials that is hand guilloché with the Clous de Paris motif

Reverse dial side features the date and power reserve indicators

The Régulateur Tourbillon Ref. 2187 features a one-minute tourbillon with three small seconds hands mounted on the rotating tourbillon cage, while the reverse side displays a date indicator and power reserve. Both dials are adorned with Clous de Paris guilloché, a hand-engraved pattern that Roth reserved for only a handful of his pieces with most others bearing the brand’s more familiar striped guilloché motif.

Comes with Daniel Roth presentation box, and retailer stamped papers.

This is a true collector’s watch well-loved not only by Daniel Roth enthusiasts but also connoisseurs of independent haute horlogerie. With Louis Vuitton’s recent acquisition and revival of the Daniel Roth name, the original Ref. 2187 takes on even greater prominence. It stands as a landmark piece that embodies both the essence and technical brilliance of one of the most important watchmakers of our time. 

Estimate: CHF 70’000 – CHF 140’000

These are just three highlights from this remarkable curation. Across 25 exceptional lots, each piece tells its own story of passion and provenance. From prototypes to numbered icons, this auction captures the true spirit of modern independent watchmaking, and perhaps, points the right way forward for it.

Marteau: The First Strike online auction officially opened on 15 October 2025. Bidding closes on 23 October 2025 at 3:00 PM CET. So if something catches your eye, don’t hesitate as these watches won’t wait. Check it out at www.marteauandco.com