Pilo & Co. Genève, the watchmaker of Saint-Gervais

Founded in 2001 by Amarildo Pilo in the heart of the legendary Saint-Gervais district, the Geneva watchmaking brand Pilo & Co. continues to uphold the original ethos of "La Fabrique", the epithet that has embodied the excellence of Swiss independent watchmaking since the 18th century.  

Featuring around fifteen collections for both men and women, Pilo & Co. Genève is distinctive for its exclusive, highly colourful models, its particular affection for the tonneau shape and an innovative dial that leaves bridge and balance spring open to view.

Here in 2021, it is the only Swiss independent watchmaking brand in the mid-range segment to have two own-name stores in Geneva, one on the right bank, the other on the left. And thanks to the finely honed distribution skills of its founder, it is also one of the leaders on the international market, being especially renowned in Asia where it owns many franchises.

"In these difficult times for the watchmaking industry, we are delighted and proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pilo & Co. Genève as we look to the future. In the upcoming years, we shall be preserving the tonneau shape, the coloured dials and the "tourbillon look" that have famously contributed to the brand's success. In keeping with the spirit of the cabinotiers, we shall be developing the "Exceptional Pieces" collection, with all the practical complications that have appealed timelessly to fine watchmaking enthusiasts, such as date, day, GMT and power reserve. Finally, we shall continue to defend the Swiss mid-range segment, both locally through our two own-name stores and internationally via our franchise network." Amarildo Pilo

Pilo & Co. Genève, 20 years of innovation

2000 Amarildo Pilo, having worked in the mid-range watchmaking distribution industry for 10 years, opens a store in the Rue Vallin in the Saint-Gervais district, the famous birthplace of Swiss independent watchmaking.

2001 Amarildo Pilo launches the Pilo & Co. Genève brand in his store, in the very heart of the Saint-Gervais district, on the right bank of the Rhône. The "tourbillon look" (balance wheel and bridge left open to view), the very DNA of the brand, goes on to inspire many other watchmaking brands.

2004 Pilo & Co. Genève exhibits at Baselworld for the first time. Amarildo Pilo recognizes that China holds the key to his success and will be one of the first Swiss independent   watchmakers to pursue prospects in the Middle Kingdom. It marks the beginning of an incredible adventure for Pilo & Co. Genève in Asia.

2005 Pilo & Co. Genève is official sponsor of the centenary anniversary of the famous Turkish football club, Galatasaray, producing 4 models, each in an edition of 100 pieces, to mark the occasion.

2006 Pilo & Co. Genève opens a 2nd store in Geneva, in the Rue du Conseil-Général, on the left bank of the Rhône.

2008 Pilo & Co. Genève by now has solid global coverage with more than 80 retail outlets. At Baselworld, it unveils the women's model "Allegra" (tonneau shape, case and mother-of-pearl dial set with diamonds), which is an immediate resounding success and soon becomes one the brand's best sellers.

2011 Amarildo Pilo is invited by the Chinese authorities to represent Switzerland at the Shenzhen trade fair, where he founds SIWP, the Swiss Independent Watchmaking Pavilion.

2015 Amarildo Pilo is invited by the Hong Kong authorities to launch the Swiss Pavilion at the Hong Kong Watch & Clock fair. At Baselworld, the brand unveils 6 unique exceptional pieces commissioned especially by a collector. Each one is an exquisite work of art, sporting dials representing the Buddhist deities created in Le Locle by the famous Swiss master miniaturist, André Martinez.

2017 Pilo & Co. Genève launches the skeletonized "Diatto Competizione", a limited edition of 111 pieces in red and black in a tribute to the iconic Italian motor car brand.

2019 Pilo & Co. Genève, in a promising up-market move, launches an "Exceptional Piece" fitted with Calibre PW01, the first workshop-crafted mechanical movement with automatic winding. Worthy of the highest standards in watchmaking, the watch features the day and date in counters at 9 and 3 o'clock, a second time zone and a 40 hours' power reserve indication at 6 o'clock.

2021 Remaining loyal to his Geneva roots, the watchmaker of Saint Gervais announces a partnership with the Swiss champions Chênois Genève Volleyball team.

Amarildo Pilo: "Independence is a constant challenge" 

The son of a diplomat, Amarildo Pilo pursued an education in business management at the Geneva Faculty of Economics. As early as 1991, he was already working in watchmaking distribution, where he represented Swiss brands specializing in the mid-range segment, such as Baume & Mercier, Raymond Weil, Favre-Leuba and Doxa. He opened more than 460 retail outlets in 10 years, notably in Poland, and became one of the few Swiss experts in watch brand franchises.

In the early 2000s, he resolved to spend less time travelling in order to devote more time to his family. Drawing on his extensive experience, he founded the watchmaking brand Pilo & Co. in Geneva. Ever the intuitive creative, he opted for the retro appeal of the tonneau shape, which soon became his hallmark. For the dial, he dared to introduce colour and plumped for orange, another distinguishing feature of Pilo & Co.   

A visionary and a pragmatist, the astute businessman kept a close eye on the market, seizing opportunities whenever they arose, first in Asia, then in Africa. Within the space of 15 years, the tireless globetrotter had travelled more than 830,000 kilometres to promote his brand, the equivalent of more than 20 twenty times around the world.

Pilo & Co. Genève in facts and figures 

20 years experience

15 collections

120 models

100% Swiss Made

CHF 298.- to CHF 1,600.-

Asia 65%, Europe 30%, rest of world 5%

Women 65% - Men 35%.

Below: 4 collections and 6 unique iconic pieces symbolizing Pilo & Co. Genève 

The 20th anniversary collection "Epoca" will be officially presented in Geneva on 23 September 


"Exceptional Pieces" collection: Pilo & Co. in sporty chic mode

• calibre PW01 Pilo & Co Genève
• mechanical movement with automatic winding
• 27 jewels
• 28,800 vibrations/hour
• day and date indication, second time zone,
  40 hours' power reserve.
  
  

"Tempo" collection: the "tourbillon look"
(bridge and balance wheel left open to view)

• mechanical movement with automatic winding
  partially visible at 12 o'clock
• three central hands: hours, minutes, seconds
• genuine leather or shagreen strap.

"Unica" collection, the supreme elegance of the Arts and Crafts movement

• works of the Swiss master miniaturist, André Martinez,
  each of these 6 unique pieces represents a deity and pays tribute to the consummate skills of the master craftsman in terms of finishing and details.
• Swiss-made mechanical movement with automatic winding, rotating disc at 6 o'clock embellished with a prayer dedicated to the Buddhist deity
• 39 mm diameter 18K gold case
• hand-stitched alligator strap.

"Allegra" collection: ultra-feminine and colourful

• white, ivory, pink, green, red or purple dial
• dial available in steel or rose gold set with around thirty diamonds
• sapphire crystal
• genuine leather strap secured with a deployant buckle.

"Doppio Orario" collection, a declaration of Love without borders

• guilloché ivory dial for Him, mother-of-pearl dial for Her
• quartz movement (hours, minutes, seconds and second time zone).

"Epoca" collection: this latest innovation celebrates the 20th anniversary of Pilo & Co. and upholds the Cabinotiers ethic so cherished by the brand (official presentation on 23 September 2021 in Geneva)

• hand-skeletonized vintage Unitas Calibre 6498 movement
• limited edition of 50 pieces, 4 of which will be presented in Geneva (1 piece in steel and 3 pieces in yellow gold PVD).