Sébastien Chaulmontet On Sellita, Albishorn, Vintage Watches
In this article
The latest episode of Fratello On Air, published by Fratello on October 27, 2026, features Sébastien Chaulmontet, head of innovation at movement manufacturer Sellita and the man behind the Albishorn brand. Balazs Ferenczi wrote the accompanying article and hosted the conversation, which carries the title Fratello On Air: Sébastien Chaulmontet On Sellita, Albishorn, And Vintage Watches.
Sellita And AMT: Inside A Major Movement Supplier
The first part of the episode turns to Chaulmontet’s day job. According to Fratello, Sellita ranks as one of Switzerland’s largest movement producers, a position that makes its decisions felt well beyond its own workshops. Chaulmontet has spent close to ten years at the company, and the discussion covers both the firm itself and AMT.
For readers weighing what an outside movement supplier actually means for the watches they buy, our piece on in-house vs outsourced watch movements examines that debate in detail. The comparison between the big independent calibre makers in ETA vs Miyota vs Ronda also gives useful context for where Sellita sits in the market.
Albishorn: Re-Creating Watches That Never Existed
The middle segment shifts to Albishorn, the venture Chaulmontet founded. Fratello notes that the brand launched in late 2024 with a distinctive premise: re-editions of vintage timepieces that never actually existed, an approach the outlet describes as “imaginary vintage”. Rather than restoring or copying historical references, the brand designs watches that look as though they could have come from another era, even though no original ever left a factory.
The news from the episode concerns what comes next. Albishorn is preparing its first time-only piece, due to arrive in early November. Until now, the young brand’s output has centred on other categories, so the upcoming release marks a new step in its short history.
Vintage Chronographs In The Final Segment
The episode closes with the topic that Chaulmontet pursues away from work. Per Fratello, he is an avid vintage collector with a particular focus on chronographs. That enthusiasm ties back neatly to the conversation’s themes, since the aesthetics he hunts for as a collector inform the design language of the watches he creates at Albishorn.
Anyone drawn into the vintage market by similar passion should know the terrain first; our guide to the risks of buying vintage watches lays out the pitfalls. And for those who fancy testing their own recognition of classic references, there is always a round of Watchdle.
FAQ
Why did Balazs Ferenczi host this episode alone?
Mike Stockton, Fratello’s usual co-host on the show, took time off around his birthday, which was celebrated belatedly. Stockton is based in London, England, so Ferenczi handled the full conversation by himself.
How long has Sébastien Chaulmontet worked at Sellita?
Almost a decade, according to Fratello. That long tenure at one of the industry’s key movement suppliers underpins the depth of the first segment of the episode.
How is the Fratello On Air episode structured?
It runs in three parts. The first covers Sellita and AMT, the second covers Albishorn, and the third is devoted to vintage watches.
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