“International Women’s Day – this day is like any other day for me, because I never feel that there was anything that a man can do that I cannot do as a woman. For me, we are equal from birth,” said Anissa Bader, founder of AKHOR, a new watch brand that after two and a half years of planning was introduced to the world in September 2025.
With a professional background as a scientist in the Pharma industry, Ms. Bader tries to bring a novel vision into the world of horology. The first model is called AK 10 (from 28,800 CHF.) The main feature of this three-hand watch is the central floating disc – a fascinating structural design that seems to challenge the laws of gravity. “In pharma we work with micro and nano particles – things that are invisible to the eye – maybe this led to this invisible solution of how the disc is floating,” she said.
Initially her watchmakers said that such a solution was impossible, as they thought the disc would obstruct the movement of the three hands. At one weak moment, the watchmaker even convinced her of the necessity of a visible bridge holding the disc. “But when I woke up the next day, I thought where is the unicity in that? I called them back and said ‘no bridge,’ and eventually they came up with this patented solution.” In a nutshell the disc is now held in place by a central cylinder, through which the second hand is suspended. The hour and minute hands, with luminous tips, are suspended under the floating disc.
The disc is a veritable playground for the designs made by Laurent Davoli, who also has Piaget and Cartier on his CV. The disc can have a sunburst decoration, it can carry enough weight for a pavé setting, it can have a honeycomb pattern, to mention but a few options. “The disc is central to our vision, and with the possibilities of customizations of the disc it can also carry a personal story,” explained Ms. Bader.
With such a complication it goes without saying that it was imperative to create a new, inhouse movement: the AK10 hand-wound caliber.
Not her first rodeo
It sounds almost too good to be true, to go from another industry straight to a patented, novel model in the highest echelons of horology. But AKHOR is not Ms. Bader’s first rodeo in watchmaking. In fact, she started working with the family’s company Clamax in Meyrin in 2018. This is a manufacture that makes bridges and other components for an array of elite brands. Here, Ms. Bader’s open-minded curiosity made her passionate about the watch industry. “I said yes to working there for six months, it ended up with me taking over the ownership of the manufacture and now starting AKHOR,” she said. “I am just fascinated by the microscopic parts, and the realization of artistic watches.”
Clamax makes 70 percent of the parts in the AKHOR watches. For the rest, it uses Swiss partners for, for instance wheels and artisanal decoration made by hand. “We are not 100 percent Swiss Made, we are 200 percent Swiss Made,” Ms. Bader teasingly said.
Philosophical approach
Ms. Bader is a scientist, and for her the jump from pharma to watches is a continuation of the same discipline. “Both have accuracy, reporting and precision as a foundation,” she said.
With AKHOR, Ms. Bader also aims to create a dialogue with ancient ideas about eternity and mastery of time from, for instance ancient Egypt, India, and Greece. “Such ideas are inspirational. But above all AKHOR is a house of independent watchmaking, which is something different to a brand. A brand is just a product. Our watches really carry our values and our philosophy – and for us it is important that our clients understand that. That is why we are opening our first boutique in Geneva soon – we want to properly explain our watches, not just sell them,” she said of the 500 watches produced so far.
Ms. Bader went on to explain that great watchmaking is a balance of horology and art. “An authentic work of art and horology can traverse time and create an emotional story. A story about what we do with our time. Every second is an opportunity. We have to use every second properly and correctly to leave an impact in the world – if we can control our time, then we can control our destiny.”
What about the future of AKHOR? The new caliber can be used as a base for complications like a tourbillon, a chronograph, and a perpetual calendar. “AKHOR will outlive us. It will become a legacy and heritage. So, my target is much more than just commercial, my target is eternity – voilà!”
