Berneron - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Berneron, founded in 2022, is an independent house based in Neuchâtel (with production across the cantons of Neuchâtel and Jura) created by Sylvain Berneron and co-founded with Marie-Alix Berneron; it caters to enthusiasts of strong-character shaped watches, made in small runs with deep local integration.

Movement-born asymmetry and all-gold construction

The Mirage concept is an asymmetry dictated by the calibre: a large barrel, direct small seconds and a pocket-watch-style balance escape the circle to define the case, while all visible parts and the movement are crafted in 18K gold (case, dial, hands, buckle, spring bars, mainplate and bridges); the top crystal is coated hesalite, the back is sapphire, and water-resistance is rated 30 m. The language puts mechanics centre-stage and turns precious metal into structure rather than mere decoration.

Mirage 38 & Mirage 34: colors, sizes and waypoints

The range splits into two sizes and four themes: 38 mm (“Sienna,” “Prussian Blue”) and 34 mm (“Tiger Eye,” “Lapis Lazuli”), each driven by a dedicated proprietary calibre (Cal. 233 for 38 mm / Cal. 215 for 34 mm) inside ultra-slim cases (7.0 mm). Pick size and dial theme first (stone or hue), then wrist presence and allocation timing.

• Berneron Mirage 38 Sienna — 34 × 38 mm, 7.0 mm; hand-wound Cal. 233 (2.30 mm thick, 21,600 vph, 72 h); “full-gold” build; hesalite front/sapphire back; 30 m; list price CHF 65,000 excl. VAT.
• Berneron Mirage 38 Prussian Blue — Same spec profile (Cal. 233, all-gold construction) in a deep-blue palette;
• Berneron Mirage 34 Tiger Eye — 30 × 34 mm, 7.0 mm; Cal. 215 (2.15 mm, 25,200 vph, 72 h); tiger-eye stone dial; “full-gold”; 30 m; CHF 54,000 excl. VAT.
• Berneron Mirage 34 Lapis Lazuli — Stone-blue variant (same 34 mm spec).

2025 annual calendar and the Neuchâtel facility

In 2025 the brand announced an annual calendar (18K-gold calibre, ~450 components), priced at CHF 120,000 with a stated plan of 24 pieces per dial color per year over ten years; meanwhile, a 650 m² facility opened in April 2025 in Neuchâtel, strengthening the “100% Swiss-made” approach concentrated in Neuchâtel and Jura. Taken together, these moves extend the Mirage grammar into complications while preserving local, craft-driven production.

Positioning, pricing and distribution

Berneron sits in the high-independent tier: Mirage 34 lists at CHF 54,000 excl. VAT, Mirage 38 Sienna at CHF 65,000 excl. VAT, with “allocation on demand” and capped volumes (24 pieces/year per dial color, often allocated years ahead). The core buyer wants a precious, slim, readable shaped watch whose architecture is literally drawn by the movement.

Conclusion

Berneron is for those who want an unmistakable, slim, gold-dense shaped piece with simple reading and sculptural presence: 34 mm for a more traditional, gender-neutral wear; 38 mm for extra dial expressiveness. Stone/hue variations tune personality; the annual calendar adds a more functional path. Before purchasing, ground your shortlist in real-world comfort and legibility by consulting Dialicious customer reviews.

(Updated September 2025)