Emile Chouriet

Emile Chouriet
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Jean Depéry
Jean Depéry
The firm is committed to maintaining and passing on the values of Emile Chouriet – an integral part of its DNA. Elegance has always been associated with the heritage of the Geneva watchmaker’s knowhow.

Jean Depéry, founder of Emile Chouriet, comes from a long line of Master Watchmakers dating back to 1700. He was born in Geneva in 1949. He was initially destined to take over his father's notary's practice, but decided to follow his passion, studied microtechnology and became an engineer.

He founded ‘Emile Chouriet', naming it after an eighteenth-century watchmaker. This name was a way for Jean Depéry to pay tribute to his ancestor, François Dagobert Depéry, supplier of watch components to Emile Couriet, whose history began in 1685.

Like many master watchmakers, Emile Chouriet left France, fleeing religious persecution. He opened his workshop in Geneva and developed his watchmaking talent there.

He specialised in the decoration of “onion” type pocket watches. This avant-garde watch was more accurate thanks to its very large balance wheel, and was greatly appreciated by the aristocracy and haute bourgeoisie.

Chouriet soon earned fame for his delicate, elegant style and the meticulous detail of his decorations. He decorated the watches with enamel, to which he added guilloché, pearls and gold of various colours. 

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