He may look as if he has been sleeping on park benches for the last couple of months, but Rodolphe Cattin, formerly of Franck Muller, is one of the most talented watchmakers in all of Switzerland.
On December 8th 2010, in front of a packed Swiss press conference, he announced his return to the industry with the official launch of the Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin (MRC). To mark the occasion, he presented some original collections of both ladies’ and men’s models guaranteed to cause a stir.
The birth of Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin
Conceived and co-founded with Thomas Meyer, Rodolphe Cattin Manufacture brings together these two exciting watch making talents with their avant-garde vision and spirit.
It was in October 2009 that Cattin, founder of the Rodolphe Montres and Bijoux watch company and the Rodolphe and Co. design studio, both owned by the Franck Muller Group, announced he would be quitting all operational activities within the group due to what can best be described as ‘creative differences’.
Rodolphe started his career working for Tissot and Omega before being discovered by Longines CEO Walter Kanel. A rebel at heart, (note designer stubble, no shirt and tie) Rodolphe Cattin has travelled the world to establish himself as one of the most sought after watch designers of his time.
Now Rodolphe is bringing all his experience and creativity back to the watch scene with the Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin, a brand that promises to be ‘dynamic, mature, rebellious and revolutionary’.
Something for men and women
Featuring pink gold finishings combined with alligator, satin and rubies, the Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin range will be aimed at both men and women.
Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin for the ladies
For the ladies, the Utopia and Adore collections will be full of glamour, with mother-of- pearl and glittering diamonds.
Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin for the men
For men, there is the new ‘Witness’ collection with large 45mm white 18ct gold casings, a wide choice of movements: dual time zones, mono push-piece chronograph original tourbillions and a 72 hour power reserve.
Unusually, MRC intends to attach more importance to the ladies’ than to the men’s collections (60/40). The result, in the epic language beloved of Swiss watch press releases, is ‘a sublime symbiosis of a love for design and haute horlogerie in its most divine expression, 100% Made by Rodolphe Cattin.’
We are warned to expect exciting headlines as a result of this dynamic new partnership, but lads, change your Photoshop artist, his heavy handed use of the air brush tool has got in the way of admiring your expensive new watches.
