TAOS - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

TAOS is a watch brand founded in 2024 in Geneva (Switzerland), born from the encounter between dial-art masters Olivier & Dominique Vaucher (Atelier Olivier Vaucher) and watchmaker-entrepreneur Olivier Gaud. It caters to collectors seeking unique pieces where the dial, conceived as artwork, converses with a seriously engineered, richly decorated mechanical movement.

Genevan Métiers d’Art: from Atelier Olivier Vaucher to a brand

TAOS emerges from a Geneva workshop celebrated for exceptional dials and unites around forty artisans—enamelers, engravers, miniature painters, gem-setters—under a single vision; the aim is not to add decoration but to make decoration the very language of the watch.

A materials-first grammar: grand feu, engine-turning, mosaics and gem-setting

The collections explore clear visual themes—feathers, waves, florals, and “textiles” (tartan, embroidery, sequins)—combining grand-feu enamel, guilloché, silver paillons, cloisonné, micro-engraving and stones; each dial demands dozens to hundreds of hours, culminating in a strictly unique piece.

Signature pieces and thematic families

TAOS structures releases in micro-series (often unique or very short runs) built around legible themes; for each theme, the dial is the score and the case the stage upon which it performs.

• TAOS Ondes — Engraved wave patterns layered on mother-of-pearl/enamel; precious cases (e.g., 38 mm white gold), automatic decorated movement.
• TAOS Envol Bleu — Feathers engraved beneath enamel, central silver-leaf paillon and diamond setting; a radiating composition born of repeated firings.
• TAOS Floréal — Miniature-painted flowers over paillons, cloisonné accents and discreet gem-setting to emphasize relief.
• TAOS “Textiles” (Savile Row, Broderie, Sequins) — Horological translations of couture motifs: tartan, embroidery stitches, sequin sparkle.
• TAOS Kaleidoscope — Geometric play and mirrors of colour, nodding to contemporary decorative arts.

Mechanics, the VOP318 calibre and a deliberately low cadence

Behind the dial, the brand partners with dedicated Swiss makers (decorated bridges/movements, Télôs Watch development, 72-hour reserve, automatic winding) and Geneva-made external parts; annual cadence is counted in handfuls of watches to preserve artistic exactitude.

Positioning, pricing and distribution

TAOS sits in the “high-expression independent” segment, with micro-quantities, direct commissions and a few vetted partners; public references place a piece like the TAOS Ondes north of USD 100,000 depending on metal and execution, while other creations (feathers, florals, textiles) vary with techniques and stones. Exact volumes are intentionally undisclosed.

Conclusion

TAOS appeals to collectors for whom the dial is a full-fledged artistic canvas without forgoing a serious mechanical base. The brand is identifiable by ultra-limited output, strong themes (waves, feathers, florals, textiles) and a coherent Geneva métiers-d’art ecosystem. Whether a graphic TAOS Ondes, a poetic TAOS Envol Bleu, a delicate TAOS Floréal or a “Textiles” variant suits you best will depend on your affinity with material and light. To test emotion against daily realities (legibility, presence, care), rely on Dialicious customer reviews.

(Updated August 2025)