Did You Know? Swiss Brand GENUS Filed Two Patents Before Its Second Act
4 min read
If you think you’ve seen everything Swiss watchmaking has to offer, think again. Hidden in the heart of Geneva is an independent watchmaker that isn’t just telling time it’s reimagining how time moves. Meet GENUS, a brand that fuses poetic craftsmanship with mechanical rebellion, and has already filed two patents to prove it’s playing an entirely different game.
A New Way to Read Time
GENUS doesn’t believe time should sit still. Founded by co-creators Sébastien Billières and Catherine Henry, the brand was born from a desire to shake up watchmaking fundamentals while staying fiercely loyal to the highest standards of Swiss Haute Horlogerie.
Their debut creation, the GNS 1.2, didn’t just mark the launch of a brand it marked a world first. Never before had a mechanical watch allowed its elements to move seamlessly from one orbit to another while delivering time information. Yes, you read that right. Here’s where it gets mesmerizing. Hour indices glide around the periphery, pivoting four times by a quarter turn to always face the right reading direction. Tens of minutes are shown by a lead traveling indicator aptly named “the Genus”, which moves freely along a figure-eight path an infinity symbol, an analemma, a poetic nod to the universe itself. Precise minutes appear on a rotating dial at the classic 3 o’clock position, grounding the avant-garde display in tradition. It’s mechanical choreography. And it’s protected by two filed patents.
In the GNS1.2 Gems, time is not merely told, it shines. The traditional concept of watch hands is replaced by a dynamic movement where precious gemstones chart the course of time: The 12 peripheral satellites indicate the hours, elegantly marking the passage of time. The “8-path” carries fine gemstones that tell the 10s-of-minutes, guiding the eye in a fluid, endless movement.
In the Diamond Rivière, a stream of white diamonds cascades across the dial, reflecting the infinite depth of time. A singular yellow sapphire leads the way, indicating the passage of time, and creating a golden glimmer that shows each fleeting minute. In the Rainbow Green, a vibrant spectrum of rainbow-hued sapphires sweeps across the dial, celebrating the passage of time shown by the lead diamond, with a kaleidoscope of following colored sapphires.
Crafted in Gold, Guided by Freedom
Every GENUS watch is entirely conceived, developed, and manufactured in-house at the brand’s independent Geneva workshop. No shortcuts. No outsourcing. The case, movement main plate, bridges, and even the complication module are crafted from 18K solid gold, then hand-decorated and hand-finished according to the most exacting horological standards. This isn’t innovation for innovation’s sake. GENUS calls it a new genus in watchmaking a category of its own. Its watchword? Freedom.
GENUS proves that high watchmaking and responsibility can move in harmony. The case, movement components, and buckle are made from ethical 18K gold, certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). Even the leather strap comes from a supply chain with certified traceability. Sustainability isn’t an afterthought here it’s built into the brand’s DNA.
The Minds Behind the Movement
At the heart of GENUS is Sébastien Billières, a watchmaker whose résumé reads like a who’s who of modern horology. Son of a watchmaker, trained in horology in 1999, he began his career under Roger Dubuis when the master’s team numbered just ten. He was the first to join Felix Baumgartner during the early days of Urwerk, contributing to the legendary Harry Winston Opus V a model he still oversees in aftersales today.
From tourbillons and automatons to Geneva Seal calibres, Sébastien’s expertise spans restoration, design, education, and advanced manufacturing. He’s also a mentor and instructor, having created specialized watchmaking curricula for Geneva’s IFAGE foundation. His guiding belief? “We live in an infinite universe, limited only by our beliefs.”
That free spirit found its perfect counterbalance in Catherine Henry, GENUS’ co-founder and Chief Operations Officer. A graduate in Management Sciences, mentor, and entrepreneur, Catherine brings sharp dynamism and strategic drive to the brand’s launch and growth. Together, they turned a blank page into a bold new chapter in independent watchmaking.
Only the Beginning
Founded in 2019, GENUS arrived with instant credibility an in-house 18K gold movement, patented innovations, and a philosophy that respects tradition while daring to go beyond it. The brand’s legitimacy is anchored in decades of trust built with the best in the industry, and its future is driven by curiosity, independence, and an unshakable belief in creative freedom.
The Maison is bringing this same out of the box spirit to India Watch Weekend 2026, where you will get a chance to meet the brand representatives in person also get your hands on some of their novelties. After all, India Watch Weekend is the place to connect, collect and celebrate. So yes, GENUS is a brand you should have heard of. But more importantly, it’s one you’ll be hearing about for a long time to come.
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