Groupe Chaumont Launches with Swiss Watch Startup Buys

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-10

Swiss watchmaking is getting a major shakeup. Private equity firm Vam Investments has acquired two startups, Efteor and Telos Watch, along with established players Le Composant and Henri Robert. The result? The official launch of Groupe Chaumont, a new industrial powerhouse based in Neuchatel. This isn't just another acquisition. The entrepreneurs behind these four companies are reinvesting alongside Vam and becoming shareholders in Groupe Chaumont. They'll keep running their own businesses, but now with the backing of a larger group. ### What is Groupe Chaumont? Groupe Chaumont is an industrial platform focused on producing movements, cases, tools, and components for high-end Swiss watches. Think of it as a one-stop shop for the finest watchmaking parts. The goal is to bring together the best Swiss savoir-faire under one banner. "The high-end watchmaking market requires components of absolute quality and precision," says Umberto Macchi di Cellere, CEO of Groupe Chaumont. "Against this backdrop, Groupe Chaumont aims to be an industrial partner capable of bringing together, under a single Swiss banner, the finest savoir-faire -- from cases to movements, from cutting tools to the development of complications." ### The Companies Behind the Launch Here's a quick look at the four companies now part of Groupe Chaumont: - **Efteor:** Founded in 2011 by Leonis Tafaj, this startup produces limited-series watch cases and clasps made from precious metals for ultra-luxury watches. It employs 55 people, mostly specialist craftspeople. - **Telos Watch:** Founded in 2009 by Franck Orny and Johnny Girardin, this startup develops watch movements and complications. They handle everything from initial development to producing limited-series components and timepieces. - **Le Composant:** Established in 1988, this company manufactures rotor weights and bracelets made from precious metals for high-end and ultra-high-end watch brands. - **Henri Robert:** A micromechanics specialist that's been operating since the 1960s. It produces high-precision cutting tools used to machine watch components. Together, these four businesses give Groupe Chaumont a portfolio spanning cases, clasps, bracelets, rotor weights, movements, complications, and specialized manufacturing tools. ### Why This Matters for Swiss Watchmaking The acquisition gives Groupe Chaumont an immediate presence across several stages of watch component production. Their combined capabilities include conceptualization, technical development, machining, finishing, tooling, movement development, and manufacturing components using precious metals. Each company will retain its operational autonomy while working within the group's wider industrial and commercial strategy. This approach lets them keep their unique strengths while benefiting from shared resources and expertise. ### The Private Equity Backing Vam Investments, founded in 2013 in Milan by Marco Piana, specializes in buyout investments and buy-and-build strategies. They focus on fragmented industries where several specialist businesses can be brought together under a shared platform. Over the past five years, Vam has invested more than $658 million (converted from EUR 600 million at current rates) in mid-market companies. Leonis Tafaj, speaking on behalf of the other founders, summed it up: "We are proud to be the founding companies of this initiative. We strongly believe in the project and in the value of collaboration. The opportunity to combine our expertise and experience while continuing to provide our customers with the highest standards of quality, reliability and innovation represents an outstanding growth opportunity." ### What's Next for Groupe Chaumont? The creation of Groupe Chaumont signals a new chapter for Swiss watchmaking. By combining startup agility with established expertise, they're positioning themselves as a leading platform for high-end watch components. For customers, this means access to a broader range of precision parts from a single trusted source. As the luxury watch market continues to demand absolute quality, Groupe Chaumont seems well-positioned to deliver. Whether you're a watch enthusiast or an industry insider, this is one development worth watching.