Arnaud De Bal

Founder & CEO

L’Artisan Watches

What inspired you to focus on natural stone dials as the signature feature of L’Artisan?

I’ve always admired stone dials from the major Swiss brands. There’s something timeless and poetic about them — every stone tells its own story, shaped by millions of years of nature. The problem was that these pieces were always far beyond my reach in terms of price.

So, as I often tend to do, I decided to figure out a way to create my own. My goal was to bring that same magic and uniqueness into a more accessible price range, without compromising on beauty or craftsmanship. That’s really been a recurring theme throughout my entire journey — seeing something I love, realizing it’s out of reach, and then challenging myself to make it happen in my own way.

Each watch is described as unique — what have been the most intricate or challenging pieces you’ve created so far?

The most challenging piece I’ve created to date is a watch with a dial made from dinosaur bone. As far as my research goes, only two or three other brands in the world have ever used this material before. It’s incredibly difficult to work with because of the natural cell structure within the fossilized bone — it has a predetermined breaking pattern, which makes cutting and finishing extremely delicate.

We had to discard a lot of material before finally getting it right. But when it worked, the result was something truly special. It’s one of those projects that tested both patience and skill to the absolute limit. And, without revealing too much, there are some upcoming creations that scratch that same “challenge itch.”

How do you ensure the balance between aesthetics, functionality, and mechanical precision in each timepiece?

For me, this balance is absolutely essential. In the beginning, I was mainly focused on performance and exterior design — I wanted every piece to look perfect and perform reliably. I’ve always been quite obsessive about proportions, finishing, and overall harmony; I’m definitely the biggest perfectionist in my own workshop.

As the brand evolved, I started paying just as much attention to what’s inside the watch. Even if a piece doesn’t have an open case back, I want to know that the movement and inner components are visually and technically aligned with the rest of the watch. Every part of it has to fit my aesthetic vision — otherwise, I simply can’t sleep.

Are there any particular techniques or innovations you’ve introduced that set L’Artisan apart from other microbrands?

Yes, I’d say it’s our approach to stone dial production that really sets us apart. Most microbrands tend to stay within the safe zone, using stones like lapis or malachite — beautiful materials, but relatively easy to process.

At L’Artisan, we constantly push that boundary. We experiment with much more complex materials — like fossil dials and mosaic dials — which require an enormous amount of skill, patience, and technical know-how. When we created our first batch of dinosaur bone dials, almost all the material was lost in the process. But that experience taught us invaluable lessons about how to handle these tougher materials.

That, to me, is the spirit of L’Artisan — pushing limits, learning through failure, and turning challenges into craftsmanship.

L’Artisan now serves customers in over 30 countries. How has this international recognition influenced your approach to design and production?

It’s actually over 40 countries now, which still feels surreal to say. Having customers from so many different parts of the world has had a huge impact on how I design. I get exposed to a wide range of cultural influences and tastes, and many of my clients share their own ideas or aesthetic preferences with me.

For example, I now have a strong connection with several customers from the Middle East, and their input has inspired some upcoming Arab-influenced pieces. The same goes for members of my Jewish customer base, who have contributed ideas rooted in their own culture. These collaborations make the design process much more meaningful — every watch ends up reflecting not just my vision, but also the stories and traditions of people from around the world.

Where do you see L’Artisan in the next 5–10 years? Are there plans for new materials, collections, or innovations?

In the next 5–10 years, I’d love to grow L’Artisan into a more structured team while maintaining the same creative spirit that drives it today. My dream is to start working on more complicated mechanical pieces — watches with fascinating complications that still carry the L’Artisan DNA.

Of course, I also want to continue expanding internationally and exploring new materials. But above all, I want to keep enjoying the process as much as I do now. As long as I can keep that joy and curiosity alive, L’Artisan will continue to evolve naturally.

Do you plan to expand into other markets or watch categories beyond stone dials?

At the moment, my passion for stone dials is still endless. There’s so much left to explore within that field — so many colors, patterns, and combinations that nature has created over millions of years. I genuinely feel like I’ll never run out of creativity there.

That said, combining stone dials with high complications is definitely something I’m very interested in. It would be a beautiful next step — merging nature’s art with the highest levels of horological craftsmanship.

What advice would you give to young, aspiring watchmakers who want to follow a self-taught path like yours?

My advice would be simple: be obsessed, be disciplined, and be consistent. And most importantly, expect to fail — a lot. Every failure teaches you something if you keep pushing forward.

There were countless moments where things didn’t work, where I thought I was done. But every time, I got back up and kept going. That persistence is what really makes the difference. If you never give up, you’ll eventually succeed — no matter how long it takes.

Honourable Mention,

Southwest Airlines 

I also want to give an honourable mention to Southwest Airlines. I’ve had the privilege of creating custom watches for Southwest Airlines pilots, and I still do to this day. Their continued trust and support mean a great deal to me.

Without those ongoing collaborations, I simply wouldn’t have the financial freedom to pursue some of the more experimental and artistic projects that define L’Artisan today. Their loyalty has helped me grow the brand, take creative risks, and bring some of my most ambitious ideas to life. I’m genuinely grateful for their belief in what I do — it’s partnerships like these that keep the dream alive.