1925
Lazare Meerson becomes one of the most influential set designers in cinema
As Alexandre Meerson’s cousin twice removed, Lazare begins the Meerson design dynasty by reaching new heights of creativity in the cinema of pre-war Europe. His style of ‘restrained modernism’ takes to Hollywood, and his particular brand of poetic realism continues to flourish after his death establishing new standards of cinematic set design.
1929
High Fashion photographer Harry Meerson enthrals Paris
Harry Meerson joins his stepbrother Lazare and pioneers fashion photography as an art form, commissioned by clients including Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Lanvin. His stylised portraits remain highly collectable.
1951
Obrey founds his luxury house
Emile ‘Obrey’ Issman, Alexandre Meerson’s great uncle is a jeweller in Paris when WWII begins. He follows General de Gaulle to London and joins the Resistance.
In 1951, he establishes his Maison in the Madeleine Quarter, where Emerich Meerson (Alexandre’s father and a refugee himself) apprentices before eventually overseeing design.
1966
breakING the mould with fashion forward design
As Creative Director of Obrey, Emerich Meerson launches a highly innovative collection of customisable watches and jewellery in sterling silver that changes the prevailing codes of hard luxury design.
1975
Emerich sets out on his own
After a 25-year career under Obrey, Emerich launches an eponymous watch brand in Paris to critical acclaim, exporting to Japan and designing timepieces for Mikimoto, HStern and Tiffany & Co.
1987
Alexandre becomes the third generation horologist in the Meerson creative dynasty
Alexandre Meerson joins as an apprentice by day while studying by night. His creative journey begins by drawing basic form.This morphs into cars, aeroplanes and then painting takes hold and his first watch shape is the silhouette of a woman inspired by artist Marc Chagall.
He learns the craft with watchmakers, taking apart old Valjoux, Minerva and Jaeger-LeCoultre movements. He questions everything. His real gift emerges which is discovering the beauty in each client and then making that real and whole in the physical world.
1993
The Internet calls
Alexandre graduates from Law School and enters the prestigious ‘Sciences-Po’ school in Paris. He feels out of place there and resigns to work with LVMH, pioneering the Internet for luxury Brands. There, a revelation awaits: the world of wineries, which inspired his design work ever since.
Plans for his own design house begin bubbling away in the background.
2007
A new era begins
Alexandre Meerson’s product design studio - Art in Detail - develops projects for over 50 watches and luxury brands. Meanwhile, he sketches his first collections, inching ever closer to realising his own design house.
2011
THE HOUSE OF ALEXANDRE MEERSON
Meerson has painstakingly assembled his team of craftspeople and engineers between England and Switzerland.
Prototyping starts for his soon to be launched collections. The House’s doors opens.
2014
The London debut
Alexandre Meerson is launched and with it the Altitude Premiere, a modern dress watch of simple yet sublime design. GQ hails its ‘impeccable quality’. QP calls it ‘Ultra elegant’ and WatchPro ‘achingly stylish’. It goes on sale in Britain and Switzerland.
2015
Presentation of the D15.
Meerson launches the D15, a luxury sports watch in titanium and solid gold. The first of it’s kind. Collectors notice.
2017
The many faces of the Mutiny
Mutiny, a compact stainless-steel chronograph is launched as well as a new Meerson showroom in Paris.
2018
The Eclipse
A desk clock called Eclipse evolves the brand and takes Meerson into a new area of luxury. Beneath its sweeping curves is a clever lifestyle tool designed to aid meditation. The brand is growing quickly.
2019
Expansion to America
Success fuels expansion to America where an atelier on the 29th Floor of The World Trade Centre houses a team including their first US ambassador. Alexandre Meerson launches his first women’s collection called Palatine, a wrap around cocktail watch complete with stone dial. Vogue dubs it ‘Chic’ and it spawns a bespoke solid gold version called Infinity. By December the brand is stocked in Watches of Switzerland, New York.
2020
Introspection in the shadow of the pandemic.
Alexandre draws the Utopia collection in the shadow of the Pandemic and introduces the D15 M-Edition bespoke bracelet.
The Augmented Memories app is launched allowing clients to view new designs from the privacy of their homes on their own avatar.
Mayors, the biggest watch retailer on America’s east coast stocks them in Miami.
NEXT
The Solent marks a new era in the Meerson legacy.
The Solent with its luxuriously sleek gold case and quiet dial will become Meerson’s most significant design to date and launch female first. It is the epitome of his pared back style and harks back to the ‘restrained modernism’ of Lazare Meerson.
