PHILIPPE LEBRU
FOUNDER & CLOCKMAKER
UTINAM
“My concept of time is very paradoxical. I don’t plan my day in a conventional way; instead, I let the flow of the day guide me. I usually start with a moment of reflection, with no set time, letting my mind wander and search for new ideas. My work is not dictated by rigid schedules. I’m aware of the account I have to settle with time, and this tension fuels my creativity. Each task is approached with an intensity that defies the traditional structure of time, making each day an unpredictable adventure rich in discovery.”
Philippe Lebru is an innovative and multifaceted artist, designer, and inventor. Born in France, Philippe’s unconventional path in the industry sets him apart from traditional watchmakers. His journey began when he moved to Besançon, the French capital of time, in 1991 to study economics. While there, he completed an internship with a well-known watch movement manufacturer, which sparked his passion for horology.
In 1993, Philippe founded his company, UTINAM, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. He is renowned for his standing and wall mounted mechanical clocks, including the KB2 regulator clock made in collaboration with designer Alain Silberstein. Philippe’s creations often blur the lines between art and science, questioning one’s relationship with time.
Philippe’s work has been widely recognised and awarded, including the Grand Prix of the Lépine Competition in 2005 and a gold medal at the Geneva Invention Show. Over the past three decades, UTINAM has gained recognition for its monumental clocks, such as a one-tonne, 9-metre-high clock in Tokyo’s Aoyama district, which has earned multiple awards for its innovative clockmaking.