It is sometimes necessary to simplify a message to make it clearer and more accessible. This is often the case when introducing the Lorige brand: a unique Swiss Made house producing limited-edition watch cases crafted from the brake pads of historic racing cars.
While accurate, this description only scratches the surface of Lorige’s expertise. Behind the seemingly simple idea of “producing watch cases in racing carbon” lies an entire ecosystem, bringing together engineers, artisans, watchmakers … and drivers. What truly defines Lorige is the way all these talents collaborate closely toward a shared ambition: creating a genuinely unique timepiece.
At the origin of this ecosystem stands Clément Étienvre, co-founder and CEO of the brand. Until recently, he could still be found in paddocks and on racetracks, working as an engineer for the TDS Racing team. Though that chapter is not entirely closed, a new one began when he and his partners set out to develop watches made from racing carbon brake pads under the Lorige name, a project that now fully occupies him.
The journey naturally leads to Meyrin, where Lorige’s manufacturing partner is based. Though largely unknown to the wider public, Régence Production, recently renamed Gecoh, plays a key role in bringing these exceptional creations to life.
Guaranteed discretion
The company does not seek to rival the visible grandeur of Geneva’s great manufactures—and for good reason: it works alongside them. In keeping with the watch industry’s legendary culture of discretion, not a single client can be named. Yet within its workshops, minute repeaters, tourbillons, and numerous high-complication projects are handled on a daily basis.
Gecoh operates as a niche, human-scale player with highly specialized expertise in Haute Horlogerie—a definition that, in many ways, mirrors that of Lorige itself.
The partnership between the two was therefore a natural fit. From the very beginning, they have evolved side by side. At Gecoh, Lorige relies on a seasoned workshop manager whose identity remains confidential, given the rarity and desirability of such a profile. Within his team, a dedicated watchmaker oversees the assembly and fine adjustment of Lorige’s collections: BL (two hands, date, and power reserve) and AS (flying central tourbillon with hours and minutes). Even within Gecoh’s experienced workshops, working on Lorige timepieces remains a demanding exercise. Every movement component—entirely proprietary to Lorige—is housed within a carbon/carbon case.
In the wake of Ayrton Senna
This proprietary technology enables Lorige to transform racing car brake discs into watch cases through a patented injection process, one for which the brand holds both exclusivity and secrecy. The constraints are considerable: ensuring water resistance while mastering the casing of such an unconventional material, with no margin for error. Each case is unique, and from every historic brake disc, only two to four pieces can be produced at most.
Among these exceptional sources are brake discs from the legendary McLaren MP4/8 driven by Ayrton Senna during the 1993 season, notably marked by his iconic rivalry with Alain Prost.
Doubling production in 2026
The result of this close collaboration is increasingly resonating with enthusiasts of racing and legendary cars. In 2025, Lorige was delivering one timepiece every fifteen days to collectors and connoisseurs across the globe. By 2026, that rhythm is expected to double.
Among the brand’s most recent supporters is Luís Felipe “Pipo” Derani, the Brazilian driver renowned for his victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. At just 33, the talented racer embodies the spirit of Lorige, not only through his achievements on the track, but also through a rare combination of elegance, distinction, and genuine warmth. A formidable competitor behind the wheel and a true gentleman off the track, he stands as the perfect ambassador for the brand.
