PIERRE-ETIENNE LAMBERT, an early supporter
Upon entering Stéphanie and Florent’s workshop, Pierre-Étienne Lambert discovered a bold, authentic universe—a true identity that resonated instantly. He shares his personal journey into the world of GabLine.
How did you first discover the world of GabLine?
I came across Origine Ateliers through its reputation as a jewelry creator. It became the opportunity to design a ring for my wife, a project in which every step was a pleasure.
The journey—from discussing the moment to celebrate, to the drawing, and finally to the making—was an exciting experience.
Believing that a man’s jewel is a watch, I naturally discussed with Origine Ateliers the idea of applying the same creative process to watchmaking.
I have strong convictions about watchmaking in terms of brand identity, technical legitimacy, and a jeweler’s ability to stand apart. The expectations were high.
What drew you to the GabLine universe?
GabLine challenges many established ideas in watchmaking with boldness, authenticity, and talent.
Boldness, first of all, in design and innovation. Wearing the watch on a quarter of the wrist—the signature of Qartel—breaks conventions while making time easier to read.
This choice restricts the movement selection to the very thinnest mechanical calibers.
Every tenth of a millimeter is considered to integrate a high-quality Swiss automatic movement into a fully curved, unexpected design.
There is no shortcut here. Ergonomics come at this cost, and technical challenges are resolved with elegance.
Authenticity is reflected in the choice of materials and origins. Who better than a jeweler truly understands materials and how to transform them?
Nothing limits GabLine: gold, steel, bronze, titanium, ceramic, leathers from many origins.
When visiting the workshop, you may meet local suppliers, proud and enthusiastic about their contribution to assembling a GabLine watch.
And then there is talent.
The craftsmanship of the jewelers and watchmakers is undeniable. Their gestures, finishes, and high standards guarantee satisfaction when wearing a GabLine. It is this talent you will most often speak about when someone notices the watch on your wrist. You have almost seen it come to life, having exchanged directly with the artisans.
How did you choose your watch?
From the very first discussions, I understood how vast the possibilities were, with the opportunity to create a truly unique watch.
In a way, a counterpart to my wife’s unique ring, even if that was not the initial aim.
It had to reflect my personality. You become fully involved
—discussing, touching materials, weighing cases, choosing finishes, dials, hands, and straps.
You are not speaking with a salesperson, but directly with the creator of GabLine, since everything happens under one roof. An experience I could not have found anywhere else.
I loved every step, reassured by the fact that changes were still possible even after delivery. The watch can evolve; the freedom to adjust was comforting.
For you, GabLine is…
An ergonomic certainty that accompanies my everyday life. The watch seems to look back at me, focused on its purpose: telling the time.
Elegant in every situation, its lack of visible branding on the dial makes it mysterious and sparks curiosity.
I admit I enjoy being asked about my GabLine—I always have more to say about it than about my other watches.
Highlights
“GabLine challenges many established ideas in watchmaking with remarkable boldness, authenticity, and talent.”
“I quickly realized how vast the possibilities were, with the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind watch.”
“For me, GabLine is an ergonomic certainty that fits seamlessly into my everyday life.”