Alain Silberstein
Paris, France · Est. 1990
Founded by Alain Silberstein
Founded in 1990 by French architect and interior designer Alain Silberstein, the brand became an icon of 1990s avant-garde watchmaking. Inspired by Bauhaus primary colours and bold geometric shapes — circles, triangles, and squares — Silberstein's watches were instantly recognisable and radically different from traditional Swiss horology. The brand ceased regular production around 2012 but remains a cult favourite among collectors.
- Founded
- 1990
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Defunct
Key Collections
- Krono — Flagship chronograph with Bauhaus-inspired primary-colour hands — circle, triangle, and square markers on the dial.
- Marine — Dive watch collection featuring bold rubber straps and the signature geometric hand shapes, rated for professional diving.
- Bolido — Cushion-cased automatic with playful colour accents and oversized crown, embodying Silberstein's architectural approach to design.
- Tourbillon — Limited-edition tourbillon showcasing Silberstein's ability to combine haute horlogerie complications with his unmistakable colourful aesthetic.
Timeline
- 1990 — French architect Alain Silberstein founds his eponymous watch brand in Paris, applying Bauhaus design principles — primary colours and geometric shapes — to watchmaking.
- 1992 — Debuts at Baselworld; the Krono chronograph with its distinctive circle-triangle-square hands becomes an instant talking point.
- 1997 — Launches the Marine dive collection, expanding beyond dress and sport chronographs.
- 2005 — Introduces limited-edition tourbillon models, proving the brand's range beyond colourful quartz and automatics.
- 2012 — Regular production winds down. The brand enters a dormant phase, though limited collaborations and special editions surface periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alain Silberstein
- What makes Alain Silberstein watches so distinctive?
- The hallmark is Bauhaus-inspired design: hands shaped as a circle, triangle, and square in primary colours (red, yellow, blue) against bold dials. No other watch brand looks quite like it.
- Is Alain Silberstein still making watches?
- Regular production ceased around 2012. The brand is largely dormant, though limited editions and collaborations have appeared sporadically. Vintage pieces are highly sought after by collectors.
- Why are Alain Silberstein watches collectible?
- Low production numbers, a completely unique design language, and the brand's dormant status have made vintage Silberstein pieces increasingly desirable on the secondary market.