Claude Bernard
Claude Bernard is an independent Swiss watchmaker founded in 1973 and based in Les Genevez in the Jura mountains. It makes hand-assembled watches with sapphire glass and stainless steel cases, positioned as accessible luxury.
| Founded | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Les Genevez, Switzerland |
| Positioning | Accessible luxury |
| Key collections | Classic, Slim Line, Aquarider |
| Website | claude-bernard.ch |
What is Claude Bernard?
Claude Bernard is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1973 and based in Les Genevez, Switzerland. It operates as an independent watchmaker and shares its marketing and sales leadership with the Swiss brand Edox.
Products and positioning
The brand's watches are hand-assembled and use sapphire crystal and stainless steel cases. Claude Bernard positions itself as accessible luxury, offering Swiss watchmaking at a more approachable price than prestige houses. Its main collections are:
- Classic, timeless dress designs
- Slim Line, with ultra-thin cases
- Aquarider, sporty watches water resistant to 200 metres
- Dress Code, designs for women
- Proud Heritage, vintage-style pieces inspired by early aviation, with oversized crowns
Distribution
Claude Bernard is sold through watch retailers and distributors in international markets. In 2025 it launched in the Philippines through the Lucerne Group, with availability in selected Chronos, Wristpod and Swiss Gear boutiques.
Why it matters
Claude Bernard represents the mid-priced tier of Swiss watchmaking, where brands compete on Swiss origin, design variety and international distributor networks.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Claude Bernard watches made?
Claude Bernard is a Swiss brand based in Les Genevez, and its watches are hand-assembled.
When was Claude Bernard founded?
Claude Bernard was founded in 1973.