The Real Time Show: Geneva Watch Days 2025 — Hugo Lesizza, Perrelet & L. Leroy

Date: September 7, 2025
Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
Guest: Hugo Lesizza (Perrelet & L. Leroy)
Special Contributor: David

Episode Overview

In this energized edition of The Real Time Show, hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph sit down with Hugo Lesizza at Geneva Watch Days 2025 for an in-depth dive into the storied brands Perrelet and L. Leroy. The conversation traces the remarkable histories, modern revivals, and technical artistry behind both names, including new launches, the evolution of French (and Franco-Swiss) watchmaking, and ambitions for the future. The discussion is laced with personal anecdotes, candid expert opinions, and a live demonstration of high complication horology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Perrelet: Brand Heritage & Modern Identity

[01:31] Hugo introduces his dual responsibilities for Perrelet and L. Leroy, both part of the family-owned Festina Group led by Miguel Rodriguez.

• Historical Legacy:
  • Founded 1777; Abraham-Louis Perrelet credited with inventing the first automatic movement.
  • Owned by Festina Group since 2004—complete in-house manufacturing via sister companies.
• Iconic Features:
  • The Turbine: Known for dynamic, eye-catching rotor on dial, and limited editions featuring playful themes and colors.
  • Move from oversized models to more wearable 41mm titanium cases.
  • The Double Rotor: Patented in 1995, regarded as a hallmark of the brand.
• Ladies’ Collection Revitalization:
  • Launch of the Josephine and Cleopatra models—feminine, elegant, titanium-cased pieces with functional front rotors, diamond embellishments, five dial color variants, and options with or without diamond-set bezels.

Notable Quotes:

• Hugo Lesizza [02:07]:
  “We have two main features, part of the DNA of the brand...most people know the turbine, which is very dynamic...We went from oversized watches and now up to more standard sizes...And last but not least, one of the most iconic movement we have is the double rotor, patented in 1995.”
• Hugo Lesizza [03:54]:
  “We are introducing a new generation—Josephine—linked to the first Empress of France. The idea was really to have something very feminine, very elegant with the rotor at the front which is functional.”

2. Perrelet’s New Direction: Panel Impressions

[04:21–05:16] The hosts and David give candid feedback on Perrelet’s design evolution.

• Delicate, legible, and wearable: appreciation for refinement in sizing and bracelet design.
• Praise for feminine originality—“doesn’t look like the others” in the ladies’ market.
• The new half-rotor balances brand DNA while improving legibility.

Notable Quotes:

• David [04:47]:
  “The bracelet is just super delicate. I like that a lot. And the half rotor keeps that concept alive but makes things a lot more legible...If you are in the market for a feminine watch that doesn’t look like the others—because this one doesn’t—check it out.”
• Rob Nudds [05:02]:
  “Yeah, I would wear this. I’m ever more a fan of diamonds as time goes on...the legibility is top draw. So well done.”

3. L. Leroy: French Watchmaking’s Revival & Vision

[06:17] The segment shifts to L. Leroy, celebrating its 240th anniversary.

• Heritage:
  • Founded in Paris, 1785; official watchmaker to French royalty and Queen Victoria; record holder for world’s most complicated watch (27 complications, 1989, still viewable at Musée du Temps).
  • Houses a private museum with 200 antique Leroy timepieces and archives with sales records dating from the early 1800s.
• Relaunch Strategy:
  • The brand re-emerges with the “Val du Temps” collection—a high-complication, minute repeater, tourbillon, skeletonized model in titanium, platinum, and gold.
  • Modern movement decoration but preservation of signature case, hands, and double helm buckle designs.
  • Roots maintained: design inspired by antique models and the earlier Osmier collection, including the distinctive clous de Paris guilloché motif.

Notable Quotes:

• Hugo Lesizza [06:50]:
  “L. Leroy is one of the oldest brands, established in Paris in 1785...This year we do celebrate the 240th anniversary of the brand...It has a wonderful story—it has been quickly named official watchmaker of the King [of France], then to the UK court.”
• Hugo Lesizza [08:12]:
  “We do have a tremendous treasure in hands...we wanted to make a reviver for the 240th anniversary, so we are proposing a very high-end complication...Val du Temps collection.”

4. Minute Repeater & French Design Philosophy

[09:09–10:44]

• David cues a live listening experience of the minute repeater, praising the technical execution and distinctively French design.
• French design described as “iconic but somewhat divisive”—yet this release embodies both French roots and classicism.
• Continuity with past collections, future releases promised.

Notable Quotes:

• David [09:29]:
  “French design…and I say this with the utmost affection, is iconic, but it can also be somewhat divisive. But what I think that watch does really well is that it’s...to me, it’s a French watch, but it still has these sort of...classic design characteristics.”
• Hugo Lesizza [09:58]:
  “The design we have here is inspired from the previous Osmier collection...which was already inspired from an antique pocket watch with a typical clous de Paris guilloché, which is one of the main signatures of the brand.”

5. Expansion & Production Shift

[10:44–12:06]

• The new L. Leroy is only the beginning; the project is set to branch out into more complications and models.
• Due to resource scarcity, production has been moved to Geneva; previously Besançon, France, was involved.

Notable Quotes:

• Hugo Lesizza [10:54]:
  “First stage is to develop the Osmier collection...We already have several new complications in development...new projects, new complications due to the legacy and the positioning of the brand.”
• Hugo Lesizza [11:19]:
  “The previous collection used to be produced in Besançon with a partnership...nowadays we have relocated the production in Geneva because it’s difficult to find the resources and savoir-faire [in France].”

6. Industry Anecdotes & Reception

[12:06–14:00]

• David describes the vibrant, hands-on culture of Geneva Watch Days (“everyone’s going to pull watches out of their pockets”) and relays the collectors’ positive emotional response to seeing L. Leroy revived.
• The sound quality of the repeater in titanium is praised (“cristallin”).
• The group’s wider commitment to French watchmaking is highlighted by their sister company, Soprod, which is supplying French movements and supporting independent French brands.

Notable Quotes:

• Hugo Lesizza [12:50]:
  “People of course were kind of emotional to rediscover Leroy...People amazed by the sound of the tourbillon minute repeater...skeletonized version of the movement helps a lot to have a very clear and very nice sound—‘cristallin’ in French.”
• Hugo Lesizza [13:27]:
  “We recently relaunched France Ebauches, so we are producing French movements...the French watchmaking is part of our DNA in the group. Definitely.”

7. Broader Reflections on Watchmaking & Legacy

[14:00–14:53]

• David offers perspective: the revival of historic French watchmaking is both emotionally and technically significant—having resources and expertise makes these projects distinct from mere startups.
• Optimism for the future of French horology is expressed.

Notable Quotes:

• David [14:25]:
  “The more places that can make great watches, the better off we are. And the more places that used to make great watches that are now revived, I think the better off we are.”

8. Memorable Personal Moment & Closing

[14:53–15:58]

• Watch fashion crossover: Rob and David, both fans of men’s fashion, lightheartedly notice Hugo’s sleeve garters—“a sign...that speaks volumes of the diligence you apply to other areas of your life.”
• The episode closes with the live chiming of the minute repeater for audio and video audiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Nudds [14:53]:
  "If you ever see someone wearing sleeve garters, you know that they're going to make a good watch."
• Rob Nudds [15:47]:
  “Now, before we check out, let's just listen to this wonderful sound…”
  [Minute repeater chimes]

Timestamps Guide to Important Segments

• [01:31] — Perrelet: Brand history & technical legacy
• [03:54] — Launch of Josephine & Cleopatra ladies’ watches
• [06:17] — L. Leroy’s history, revival, and new minute repeater tourbillon
• [09:09] — Minute repeater demonstration and French design philosophy
• [10:44] — Confirmation of L. Leroy’s future collection and complications
• [12:06] — Geneva anecdotes & collector response to L. Leroy’s return
• [14:00] — Reflections on the significance of reviving French watchmaking
• [14:53] — Fashion meets horology, minute repeater played live

Summary

This lively Geneva Watch Days episode offers a rich tapestry of horological history, creative rebirth, and technical mastery. Through Hugo Lesizza’s insights and the hosts’ expert banter, listeners gain a rare, inside look at the reinvention of historically significant brands, the broader hopes for French-Swiss watchmaking, and the passion that unites watchmakers and collectors alike. The unveiling of new models—especially the L. Leroy minute repeater tourbillon—balances respect for tradition with a drive for contemporary innovation, promising a bright future for these classic names.