Key takeaways
• Maison ALTO was founded in 2024 by Thibaud Guittard, with Raphaël Abeillon serving as Creative Director.
• The brand’s signature caliber, the A01, features a world-first counter-clockwise running seconds hand and was developed in collaboration with Le Cercle des Horlogers.
• ALTO will unveil its second model, ART 02, alongside a new manufacture caliber at Geneva Watch Days 2026.
Unveiled in Paris in April 2024, ART 01 marked the first expression of this philosophy. Conceived as a monobloc construction, its distinctive domed and faceted sapphire crystal flows seamlessly into a Grade 5 titanium case. This unique architecture gave rise to a dedicated manufacture movement: the A01 micro-rotor caliber, developed over more than two years in collaboration with Le Cercle des Horlogers in Switzerland.
The A01 caliber introduced a world first: a counter-clockwise running seconds hand. A subtle complication, this reverse-running seconds display has since become one of the Maison’s defining signatures. With each successive creation, this horological language has continued to evolve. In 2025, it expanded through the Monochrome Editions before embracing artistic craftsmanship with the Falcon’s Eye model.
In 2026, ALTO continues its pursuit by forging its first dialogue with the world of contemporary art. In collaboration with renowned French artist Bernar Venet, the Maison unveils a series of ten exceptional timepieces conceived as true micro-sculptures.
Left: Raphaël Abeillon, Creative Director. Right: Thibaud Guittard, Founder of the brand.
The Founder – Thibaud Guittard
After studying business in France and the United States, Thibaud Guittard began his career at Audemars Piguet in Paris, where he was responsible for marketing and the development of the French market. During five years, he gained an in-depth understanding of the codes and culture of fine watchmaking. He then joined his family’s international group, where he held several international management positions. Throughout these years, a personal vision steadily took shape.
In 2024, he founded ALTO, an independent watchmaking Maison born at the intersection of his passions for design, contemporary art, architecture and mechanical engineering.
Creative Director – Raphaël Abeillon
Raphaël Abeillon graduated in Industrial Design with a specialization in automotive design. He later turned to watchmaking and joined Cartier, where he spent twelve years refining his expertise in high-end watch design.
Shortly after ALTO was founded, he joined the Maison in September 2024 as Creative Director. He and Thibaud Guittard have known each other for many years and share the same passion for creating objects where technical ingenuity and aesthetic expression exist in perfect balance.
Raphaël Abeillon is the designer behind ART 02, the new creation that will be unveiled during GWD.
The Manufacture – Le Cercle des Horlogers
ALTO entrusted the development and production of its calibers to Le Cercle des Horlogers, a manufacture based in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. A trusted partner to some of the world’s most prestigious watchmaking Houses, Le Cercle is renowned for its movement engineering expertise, technical excellence and creative approach to caliber development.
More than two years of development were required to create the A01 caliber: a self-winding mechanical movement with a micro-rotor and a counter-clockwise running seconds display, conceived, designed and manufactured exclusively for ALTO.
In 2026, ALTO will introduce a new manufacture caliber, opening the next chapter in the Maison’s horological journey.
ESSENTIALS
- Founded in — France, 2024
- Founder — Thibaud Guittard
- Creative Director — Raphaël Abeillon
- Manufacture — Le Cercle des Horlogers, Les Hauts-Geneveys
- Caliber — A01 — Automatic, 4 Hz micro-rotor
ART 01 — THE FOUNDING COLLECTION
The ART 01 collection brings together a series of limited-edition creations.
- First Edition — 25 pieces
- Monochrome Black — 30 pieces
- Monochrome Grey — 30 pieces
- Falcon’s Eye — 12 pieces in 3N gold featuring a sculpted Falcon’s Eye stone dial.
- Bernar Venet — 10 pieces. Patinated bronze case and dial featuring sculpted arcs by the artist.
ART 02 – A NEW EXPRESSION
With ART 02, ALTO opens a new chapter, unveiling its second model at Geneva Watch Days 2026.
Exhibition: Geneva Watch Days 2026
Dates: 2 – 6 September 2026
Venue: Hôtel Beau-Rivage, Genève
