It is with great sadness that we join the Schaller family and staff of Louis Moinet to mourn the loss of Jean-Marie Schaller.
In Memoriam: Jean-Marie Schaller, founder and CEO of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet
Jean-Marie was a great gentleman and a visionary. His passing is not only a loss for his family and Louis Moinet but for the entire watchmaking industry. May he rest in peace.
We had a very good relationship with Jean-Marie. I first met him in Baselworld 2004, and Louis Moinet had a tiny booth tucked up in the third floor of Hall 1. I was greeted by Jean-Marie and his wife Micaela. And we were presented the “Compteur de Tierces” by Moinet, the world’s first chronograph. It was a shock to the watchmaking world, who had at that time accepted that Nicholas Ruissec had invented the mechanism in 1821 with Joseph-Taddius Winnerl putting it in a watch in 1831. But this newly discovered watch bears hallmarks on the case which indicates that work began in 1815 and was completed in 1816 by Louis Moinet, a contemporary to A. L. Breguet. More on this story in our review of the Memoris 200th Anniversary watch here.
We partnered with Louis Moinet to do a special collector’s dinner in July 2017. Jean-Marie was his usual self. Animated. Very funny. And always dressed in brocade with pomp and grandeur.
Through the years, I have come to know him a bit better. He was always a flamboyant character, dressing to match. He was full of fascination of space, of the universe, and had a creative mind that led him in many directions. But always with his signature and character. In many ways, he was a genius.
In 2025, we had a brief meeting with him in Watches & Wonders. And he had lost a lot of weight. I was concerned and asked if his health was ok. He said he felt great, and his slim figure was a result of diet and exercise. I thought nothing more and wished him well. This year, he was not at his booth in WWG26. I enquired with his wife and his daughter, and was told he is not well. He was resting at home. But he is recovering and in good spirits. But he had remembered our support and had asked Nathalie Kottelat, the Marketing and Communications Manager, to present me with a special Louis Moinet pen.
I sent him a message to thank him and enquire about his health on WhatsApp, but he did not reply. This morning, I received the following from his PR team. May Jean-Marie rest in peace.
Press Release
Dear Mr Chong,
It is with profound sadness and deep emotion that we announce the passing of Jean-Marie Schaller, founder and CEO of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, who left us on May 16.
With Jean-Marie’s passing, contemporary watchmaking has lost one of its most original figures, a free and creative spirit. He had extraordinary energy and was a man of passion and firm convictions, who left a deep impression on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Originally from Corban in the Swiss Jura Mountains, Jean-Marie Schaller founded Les Ateliers Louis Moinet in 2004. He was driven by what he considered a true calling, to restore the watchmaker Louis Moinet to his rightful place in the horological pantheon. Armed with this exceptional heritage, he aimed to create timepieces with a truly distinctive signature.
His vision of watchmaking, his innate creativity, and his exacting standards shaped the unique identity of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet. Under his guidance, exceptional haute horlogerie creations came to life, combining craftsmanship, history and extraordinary materials into true works of horological art.
Jean-Marie maintained strong ties with the artisans, watchmakers, partners, and clients who had stood by him for many years. He was convinced that the creative process had to be a shared adventure. He was indeed a sincere and compassionate man, who accorded the same attention and respect to everyone equally.
His enthusiasm and dedication inspired those closest to him. Micaela, his wife, supported him from the very first days with unwavering commitment and deep conviction in the project. Reflecting the entire family’s sincere attachment to this true life’s work, Jean-Marie could also count on the presence of his daughter Raphaëlle, who stood by his side on ventures that were particularly dear to him.
For the past six years, Jean-Marie had shared this passion daily with his son Nathanaël, who worked alongside him at Les Ateliers Louis Moinet. Over the years, he passed on to him his philosophy, creative vision and the freedom needed to write the next chapter of this story, guided by his own sensitivity and talent.
Today, Nathanaël continues along the same path with the support of a team deeply committed to the values that have driven Les Ateliers Louis Moinet for over twenty years. Kurt Kupper, member of the board and acting CEO, continues in his role and will be contributing his experience and vision to the future ambitions of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet.
We carry with us the foundations, the momentum, and the responsibility to continue what Jean-Marie built. More than ever, we are determined to pursue this mission with passion, commitment, and respect for the legacy he has left us.
With your trust and loyalty, this story Jean-Marie Schaller began will continue to be written in the creative spirit he always championed.
