Swiss designer Gilbert Albert was encouraged by his father from a young age to be creative. He attended the L’Ecole des Arts Industriels in Geneva at age 15. This opportunity allowed him to study design, and he was attracted to the works of artists such a Brancusi and Mondrian. At 25 years old, he began working for Patek Philippe, eventually progressing to head the creative department. Albert has been credited with reinventing the way Patek Philippe and other leading companies perceived the mechanics of watch design. He preferred asymmetrical and triangular case shapes, which was viewed to be radical at the time. His designs for Patek Phillipe, such as the ‘Ricochet’, proved themselves to be very popular and won the Diamonds International Award three times. In fact, Albert himself would go on to win this award ten more times throughout his unprecedented career.

After eight successful years at Patek Philippe, Gilbert gravitated toward his true passion: designing jewelry. By 1962 he opened his own atelier. Finding success, his brand established boutiques in Geneva, Paris, Zurich, Moscow, and New York. Drawn to unconventional materials, Gilbert incorporated meteorites and fossils into his avant-garde creations. The stark contrast of smooth gold against these organic elements created harmonious designs that continue to be enjoyed by collectors today.