CHEVAL FRÈRES
CHEVAL FRÈRES manufactures components for the luxury market and high-tech industries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1848
- HeadquartersÉcole, France
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CHEVAL FRÈRES does
CHEVAL FRÈRES is a French precision component manufacturer founded in 1848 in Fontenelles and currently headquartered in École-Valentin (Franche-Comté). It designs and produces mechanical components — primarily crowns, pushers, and patented systems (telescopic, quarter-turn screw, quick-screw, torque, interchangeable crowns, bistable pushers) — for three end markets: luxury watchmaking, jewelry, and high-tech industrial applications including aeronautics and medical. Core capabilities span precision machining, in-house ceramic production through the HARDEX subsidiary, finishing, and assembly, supported by ISO 9001:2015 and RJC-COP/RJC-CoC certifications.
The company operates as a privately held subsidiary of IMI Group (founded 1987), having joined the group in 1994. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. CHEVAL FRÈRES sells B2B through an enterprise field-sales motion into brand supply chains, with no public pricing or catalog model. In 2023 it divested LASER CHEVAL to LASEA Group, signaling a refocus toward its core watchmaking and luxury component competencies. The most recent strategic signal is a partnership with SIS Manufacture de Maroquinerie for EPHJ 2026, indicating selective cross-vertical visibility within the broader luxury ecosystem.
CHEVAL FRÈRES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CHEVAL FRÈRES
- Legal name
- CHEVAL FRERES
- Website
- https://www.cheval-freres.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1848
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CHEVAL FRÈRES manufactures components for the luxury market and high-tech industries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CHEVAL FRÈRES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Watch Components
- NAICS
- Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (339910)
- SIC
- Jewelry, Silverware & Plated Ware (3910), Jewelry, Precious Metal (3911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Watch Parts & Components (Straps/Bracelets, Crystals, Hands, Buckles) (CRAKADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Jewelry Findings, Components & Settings Manufacturing (CRAKAIAD), Casting, Stamping & Fabrication (OEM/ODM) (CRAKAIAF), Fine Jewelry Manufacturing & Atelier Production (CRAKAAAK)
Keywords
Where CHEVAL FRÈRES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- École
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CHEVAL FRÈRES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Precision watch component manufacturing: Design and manufacture of high-precision watch components including crowns, pushers, and form pieces for luxury watchmakers. Revenue generated through component sales, custom development projects, and tooling charges.
- Jewelry components and finished products: Custom jewelry findings, finished jewelry pieces (bracelets, pendants, earrings, rings), and luxury accessories. Services include design support, manufacturing, and finishing including hallmarking.
- Industrial technical components: Precision components for high-tech industries including aeronautics, power electronics, fluid flow, and medical sectors. Materials include metals (stainless steel, titanium, precious metals) and technical ceramics.
- Surface treatment services: Galvanic treatments, passivation, and electrolytic polishing services for components manufactured in-house and potentially for external customers (subcontracting).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
CHEVAL FRÈRES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CHEVAL FRÈRES designs and manufactures precision watchmaking and jewellery components for the luxury and high-tech industries, with primary focus on crowns, pushers, shaped parts, and patented systems for high-end watches. The company operates a vertically integrated production model covering machining of metals, ceramics, and composites, in-house ceramic manufacturing via the HARDEX subsidiary, and a full range of aesthetic and functional surface treatments. It also supplies custom jewellery findings, finished jewellery pieces, luxury accessories, and precision technical components for aeronautics, power electronics, fluid flow, and medical sectors.
Product overview
CHEVAL FRÈRES is a manufacturer of precision watch and jewellery components for the luxury industry, operating across three main business areas: Watchmaking (crowns, pushers, shaped parts, and patented systems), Jewellery (custom findings, finished products, and luxury accessories), and Industry (technical components). The company offers vertically integrated manufacturing from prototyping to series production, with capabilities in precision machining, surface treatments, and ceramic components. Their portfolio includes proprietary patented systems like telescopic crowns, bistable pushers, and quick-screw mechanisms. Surface treatments and multifinishes services complement the component offerings across all business segments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HARDEX: A subsidiary of IMI Group, specializing in the manufacture of ceramic parts from powder to finished product, serving watchmaking, jewellery, and industrial applications.
Products and services
- Watch Components - Crowns
- Watch Components - Pushers
- Patented Watchmaking Systems
- Custom Jewellery Findings
- Finished Jewellery Products
- Luxury Accessories
- Industrial Technical Components
- Surface Treatments and Multifinishes
- Ceramic Components (Watchmaking and Jewellery)
Quantifiable outcome
- ISO 9001:2015 certified since 2018, demonstrating consistent quality management
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CHEVAL FRÈRES
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CHEVAL FRÈRES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
CHEVAL FRÈRES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered key showcase partnership demonstrating complementary expertise combining cheval freres watch components with sis leather craftsmanship at ephj 2026, core subsidiary providing integrated ceramic manufacturing capability and parent group providing strategic direction and synergies.
- SIS Manufacture de Maroquineriekey showcase partnership demonstrating complementary expertise combining cheval freres watch components with sis leather craftsmanship at ephj 2026Strategic co-development partnership revealed at EPHJ 2026 showcasing Franche-Comté microtechnology and leather goods expertise. Collaboration produced demonstration watches combining CHEVAL FRERES patented crown and pusher systems with SIS bi-material leather straps, demonstrating complementary capabilities to luxury brands.
- HARDEXcore subsidiary providing integrated ceramic manufacturing capabilityHARDEX was formed in 2006 from the merger of CHEVAL FRERES' hard materials machining department and a ceramic powder forming plant. Provides complete ceramic manufacturing from powder to finished product, serving watchmaking, jewelry, and industrial applications with advanced ceramic materials.
- Groupe IMI (IMI Group)parent group providing strategic direction and synergiesIMI Group is the parent company founded in 1987, bringing together precision manufacturing specialists across watchmaking, jewelry, and high-tech industries. The group operates across multiple countries and provides strategic direction, shared resources, and scale synergies for member companies including CHEVAL FRERES.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CHEVAL FRÈRES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Comadur SA: Swatch Group subsidiary producing hard-material components (ceramics, sapphire) for watches, including bezels, case parts, and crystals. Directly competes with CHEVAL FRÈRES / HARDEX in ceramic watch components and benefits from vertical integration similar to IMI Group.
- Mimotec SA: Swiss precision micro-manufacturer specializing in watchmaking and micromechanical components using LIGA and UV-LIGA processes. Highly comparable to CHEVAL FRÈRES in serving luxury watchmakers with sub-millimeter precision parts.
- Swiss Technology Components (STC): Swiss precision turned components supplier serving the watchmaking industry. Directly competes with CHEVAL FRÈRES in precision-machined watch parts including crowns and case components.
- Wicky Manufacture: Swiss precision manufacturer of watch components and micromechanical parts. Closely comparable to CHEVAL FRÈRES in producing precision components for the Swiss luxury watchmaking supply chain.
- Silvex SA: Swiss precision watch component manufacturer specializing in micro-mechanical parts and assemblies for the watchmaking industry. Direct comparable to CHEVAL FRÈRES in terms of scale and precision watchmaking focus.
- Precibor SA: Swiss precision component manufacturer producing turned, milled, and assembled micro-components for watchmaking and medical industries. Comparable to CHEVAL FRÈRES in dual watchmaking and high-tech industrial exposure.
Broad incumbents
- Nivarox-FAR SA: Swatch Group subsidiary and one of the largest watchmaking component manufacturers globally (balance springs, escapements). A broader incumbent in luxury watch components with significant scale advantage over CHEVAL FRÈRES.
- ValFleurier SA: Richemont-owned movement and component manufacturer. Compares as a broad incumbent in precision luxury watchmaking components with deeper vertical integration within a luxury group.
- Stuller, Inc. Major US-based jewelry findings, mountings, and finished jewelry manufacturer/supplier. Comparable to CHEVAL FRÈRES' jewelry findings and finished products segment, though at larger scale and broader market positioning.
- CeramTec GmbH: Global leader in advanced technical ceramics for medical, automotive, and industrial applications. Comparable to HARDEX (CHEVAL FRÈRES' ceramic subsidiary) in technical ceramic manufacturing, though at vastly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CHEVAL FRÈRES social profiles
Digital presenceCHEVAL FRÈRES compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
CHEVAL FRÈRES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CHEVAL FRÈRES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CHEVAL FRÈRES subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CHEVAL FRÈRES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CHEVAL FRÈRES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CHEVAL FRÈRES
What does CHEVAL FRÈRES do?
CHEVAL FRÈRES designs and manufactures precision watchmaking and jewellery components for the luxury and high-tech industries, with primary focus on crowns, pushers, shaped parts, and patented systems for high-end watches. The company operates a vertically integrated production model covering machining of metals, ceramics, and composites, in-house ceramic manufacturing via the HARDEX subsidiary, and a full range of aesthetic and functional surface treatments. It also supplies custom jewellery findings, finished jewellery pieces, luxury accessories, and precision technical components for aeronautics, power electronics, fluid flow, and medical sectors.
Is CHEVAL FRÈRES a public or private company?
CHEVAL FRÈRES is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CHEVAL FRÈRES founded?
CHEVAL FRÈRES was founded in 1848. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CHEVAL FRÈRES based?
CHEVAL FRÈRES is headquartered in École, France, in the Europe region.
How does CHEVAL FRÈRES make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Precision watch component manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are jewelry components and finished products, industrial technical components and surface treatment services.
Who are CHEVAL FRÈRES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Comadur SA, Mimotec SA, Swiss Technology Components (STC), Wicky Manufacture, Silvex SA and Precibor SA. Broad incumbents are Nivarox-FAR SA, ValFleurier SA, Stuller, Inc. and CeramTec GmbH.
Does CHEVAL FRÈRES have an API?
No public API is recorded for CHEVAL FRÈRES.
What industry is CHEVAL FRÈRES in?
CHEVAL FRÈRES's product category is Precision Watch Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAKADAK, Watch Parts & Components (Straps/Bracelets, Crystals, Hands, Buckles), with a secondary code of CRAKAIAD, Jewelry Findings, Components & Settings Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 339910 and its SIC code is 3910.