LOUIS GOLAY WATCHES
Founded in 1887, Louis Golay is a Jewellery and pearl company with offices and production facilities in Switzerland and Japan. Golay initially traded in natural pearls, gemstones, and other products for jewelers and watchmakers. The brand launched the Pearl of Time Watch collection at Basel-world 2010.
History of Louis Golay
1887: Louis-Auguste Golay established company in Switzerland.
1912: Louis-Auguste and his son Auguste-Julien, lapidaries and traders, registered a joint-stock company under the name of Golay Buchel & Cie SA.
1914: Started to work with Mikimoto for pearl business.
1932: They began cutting and polishing genuine and synthetic stones and set up a workshop to manufacture watchmaker’s tools.
1944: Golay Buchel set up a social institution.
1947: The company moved to Lausanne.
1954: The expansion abroad began in France. Soon Golay Buchel had outlets in important gemstone and cultured pearl center in Europe, Japan, South-East Asia and the USA.
1968: The company introduced modern management structure. The various divisions were placed under the umbrella of Golay Buchel Holding SA. A production unit was set up in France to cut genuine and synthetic gemstones.
1977: Establishment of Golay Buchel Japan K.K.
1979: Golay Buchel pioneered industrial-scale cutting of Cubic Zirconia.
1985: Golay Buchel Holding SA went public and had its shares quoted on the Swiss Stock Exchange.
1986: Establishment of Golay Buchel Trading K.K.
1987: The group started in retail activities, which led to the creation of its Oro Vivo shops.
1988: Establishment of SSP Tokyo K.K.
1997: The company moved into its new headquarters in Lausanne.
2001: Golay introduced the “Golay Pearls Quality Label” destined to become a worldwide reference for the quality of cultured pearls.
2003: Golay marked the history of the pearl with its patented concept of permanently strung chains of pearls on a steel thread, “Signed & Sealed”
2004: The Group sold its Oro Vivo retail operation in Europe to concentrate on its original activities with pearls and jewelry stones.
2008: Norinvest Holding SA purchased Golay Buchel Holdings.
2009: Mr. Paulo Marques conducted MBO on part of the Golay Buchel Group and established Louis Golay International SA in Lonay, Switzerland.
2010: Louis Golay International conducted a friendly takeover of 2 former Golay Buchel group companies: Golay Buchel Japan and SSP Tokyo. Mr. Marques sold 40% share to Golay Buchel Holdings. Golay Buchel Trading changed its name to Louis Golay Japan and the head office moved to Kobe from Osaka. Louis Golay launched the Pearl of Time Watch collection.
