Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Biel / Bienne, Switzerland

Buèche-Girod

Partially verified

Haute joaillerie watches and automotive-themed timepieces

History

The company was established by Vital Buèche, who combined his own surname with the maiden name of his wife, Edwige Girod.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the manufacture gained a reputation for its movements and collaborated with major luxury houses such as Cartier and Bulova. The brand attained prominence for its creative designs, including hidden coin watches and pieces inspired by automotive radiator grills. To support its international presence, the company established a sales agency in Great Britain in 1956 and later opened an office in New York in 1974.

The business ultimately struggled to maintain operations amidst the challenges posed by the quartz crisis, ceasing production in the early 1980s.

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Current watchmaking & later fate

  • The brand ceased operations during the early 1980s, though its historical pieces remain sought after by collectors.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Key models

Automotive Radiator Grill watches
These sculptural watches, including models for Volvo, Lancia, and Mercedes, were presented at the 1968 Basel Fair.
Baignoire Allongeé
This model is noted for its distinctive, exuberant post-war design.

Major innovations

  • The company specialized in manufacturing high-end mechanical movements for other reputable watchmakers.
  • The brand developed distinct sculptural watches that replicated the appearance of car radiator grilles.

Serial numbers

No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Buèche-Girod. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • Front view of the Bueche Girod 18K yellow gold ladies wristwatch on woven mesh bracelet
  • Volvo-branded gentleman's wristwatch in 18K white gold with radiator grille-shaped case.

Sources & references

  1. The Comeback: Five Heritage Brands We'd Like to See ..., watchonista.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Bueche Girod Baignoire Allongeé, watchesofswitzerland.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. Bueche-Girod Self-winding, centre-seconds, date, Volvo automobile radiator grill; 18K white gold (“New Old Stock”) | Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Antiquorum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  4. Bueche Girod Lancia Radiator Grill 18k Yellow Gold 1960s, fabsuisse.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  5. Our Heritage | Bueche-Girod Swiss Watchmaking History Since 1946 | Bueche-Girod®, buechegirod.ch, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.