Design & production
of watches
CPL Design is a Swiss design, development and watch production studio based in Cortaillod, in the canton of Neuchâtel. We handle OEM watch production — Swiss Made or international depending on your positioning: industrialisation, supplier sourcing and coordination, sample development, assembly, quality control and series follow-up.
A studio where precision
meets creativity
Founded in Cortaillod, at the heart of the Swiss watchmaking region, CPL Design has supported exceptional houses for nearly three decades in the creation and development of their products and brand identities.
From the first sketch to production follow-up, our team brings a global expertise to the service of excellence: design, strategy, 2D/3D, photography.
Work with usOur expertise
Swiss Made & OEM watch production
Industrialisation, supplier sourcing and coordination, sample development, assembly, quality control and series follow-up. We produce on an OEM basis for brands, in Switzerland or internationally, with the Swiss Made label when your positioning requires it.
Watch, jewellery & packaging design
From high-end to fashion, we design pieces that captivate: watches, jewellery, accessories and exceptional packaging for the most demanding houses.
Technical development & prototyping
Technical drawings, photorealistic 3D, movement integration and sample development: the complete manufacturing file that makes a watch genuinely producible — and that belongs to you.
Turnkey brand creation
We build high-impact brands with a coherent, distinctive world: visual identity, logo, storytelling, product photography, catalogues and lookbooks.
E-commerce development
We handle every digital aspect of your brand to launch online sales, from the business plan to the website, digital campaigns and social media management.
our craft
Selected portfolio
Reference brands
Partners around the world
CPL Design has worked with Franck Muller, Bovet, Universal Genève, Versace, Gucci, Fendi, DKNY, Liu Jo, Just Cavalli, Ferré Milano, Rochas, Zadig & Voltaire, Caterpillar, Reebok, Off-White and Yema, in both watchmaking and jewellery.
Who’s
behind CPL
A multidisciplinary team united by a single ambition : turning your ideas into exceptional objects.
Guidi
Trained in the demanding world of Swiss watchmaking, Gabriele Guidi masters the entire value chain, from design to industrialisation. After leading major teams within large groups (ETA, FHF, Longines), he founded Rodolphe & Co SA and then CPL Design SA in Neuchâtel, with a clear vision : building bridges between creativity, technical feasibility and industrial performance. Driven by constant curiosity, he acts as a genuine project catalyst, bringing together talents, skills and visions to create innovative and lasting solutions.
The art of design, told
An online magazine dedicated to design and to news from the watchmaking and creative industry.
Discover the magazine →Visionary design,
pragmatic engineering
We don’t just draw: we take the product all the way to the series. Our 360° methodology ensures every piece is commercially viable, industrialisable and actually produced.
Strategic analysis & trends
We identify market needs and emerging trends to ensure your collection is culturally relevant and positioned for success.
Briefing & collection mapping
We define the collection structure, from entry pieces to hero pieces, to maximise commercial impact.
Design & technical R&D
We merge creativity and technical rigour to turn aesthetic concepts into industrialisable assets, from sketch to manufacturing drawing.
Industrialisation & OEM production
Supplier sourcing and coordination, sample development, assembly, quality control and series follow-up, through to the delivered watch, in Switzerland or internationally, with the Swiss Made label when the project requires it.
Production & brand creation
What is OEM watch production?
CPL Design produces watches on an OEM basis for brands : industrialisation, supplier sourcing and coordination, sample development, assembly, quality control and series follow-up. The brand keeps ownership of its technical file ; we handle manufacturing, in Switzerland or internationally, with the Swiss Made label when your positioning calls for it.
Are CPL Design’s watches Swiss Made?
Yes when the project justifies it. The Swiss Made label sets precise conditions on movement origin, assembly and final inspection, and it raises the unit cost. It is prepared from the choice of components, not added at the end. For a fashion or entry-level brand, international production can be more relevant.
What is the minimum order quantity for a first run?
It depends on the most constraining component, usually the case or the dial. A first production run is most often between 100 and 300 pieces. Below that, the unit cost rises sharply ; above it, inventory risk becomes hard for a young brand to carry.
How long does it take to create a watch brand?
Allow twelve to eighteen months between the first brief and delivery of the first run : three to five months of strategy and design, four to eight months of technical development and prototyping, four to six months of production depending on components and suppliers.
Do you develop the movement?
The movement choice — Sellita, ETA, Miyota, Seiko or a bespoke development — is made during technical development. It drives case diameter and thickness, price, lead times, after-sales service and Swiss Made eligibility.
Who owns the drawings and the technical file?
You do. The manufacturing file, technical drawings and product specification produced during the project are your property : you remain free to evolve the product or change production partner.
Can we start from a simple sketch?
Yes. Most projects begin with an idea, a few references and rough sketches. Our job is precisely to turn that intent into a manufacturable product, from the first drawing through to series follow-up.
Where is CPL Design located?
In Cortaillod, in the canton of Neuchâtel, at the heart of the Swiss watchmaking region. The studio has supported watch houses and brands for nearly three decades, from product strategy through to e-commerce.
Let’s bring your vision to life
Every project is an opportunity to create something exceptional. Let’s talk about your ambition.
Start a projectTell us about your project
A few questions to frame your needs. We’ll get back to you within 48 hours with first directions and next steps. Just after information ? Write to us.
2016 Cortaillod, Neuchâtel
Switzerland