Born in 1931 in Lugnez, near Porrentruy, Simone Bédat began an apprenticeship at the Lang SA watch-case manufacturer at the age of fifteen and a half. Three years later, she became head clerk of the sales department. She stayed there for about a decade before joining the Camy watch company in Geneva, where she worked in close cooperation with a certain Raymond Weil who was to be appointed Managing Director. On the owner's death, they both left Camy and joined forces to create the Raymond Weil brand, in 1975. The brand became the 5th leading Swiss watch exporter in 1989, with ex-factory sales amounting to 130 million francs. In 1995, Simone Bédat decided to sell her (24%) stake to Mr. Raymond Weil.
She left the firm in July 1996, along with her son, Christian, who had joined the company in 1990 and exercised various responsibilities, ultimately becoming art director. She founded BEDAT & C° with her son in October 1996.
