He was a master watchmaker and studied in La Chaux-de-Fonds under Gaïa first prize winner Jean-Claude Nicolet. He sometimes “strayed” with talent into other fields than watchmaking.
Joël A. Grandjean, JSH Magazine & Swiss-Watch-Passport.ch’s editor in chief
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In the late 2022 JSH issue, René Beyer was featured twice in the opening pages of a now essential section of the Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie JSH called “A contre-emploi, talents parallèles” (Unconventional talents, side passions). It is a portrait gallery of figures from the world of watchmaking, often presented from the unexpected perspective of their hobbies and interests.
In my introduction, I wrote: “They consider themselves professionals in fields that are not officially theirs. And they do rather well. Outside of watchmaking, they pursue unusual jobs and passionate hobbies with the nobility of true amateurs. Their ‘second professions’ reveal them to us differently, making them more endearing…”
From “Beyer Talks” to Zurich bees
René Beyer and his tireless curiosity deserved a place in this dossier with a two-page opening spread: “The first portrait in this series reveals the lesser-known side of the watchmaker who owns Chronométrie Beyer in Zurich, a family business synonymous with prestige. Here he is, having turned himself into a television broadcaster. He has acquired the necessary equipment and is traveling with a camera crew to interview his illustrious guests… Such as historian and journalist Nick Foulkes, author of books on watchmaking and president of the jury for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie. Lights, camera, action! The “Beyer Talks” is the name of his TV show, which is gaining popularity online and aims to carve out a share of the watch streaming audience.”
“René Beyer sometimes dresses up in a beekeeper’s suit. He produces honey from beehives installed on the roofs of his centuries-old building at 31 Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich.”
Since April 13, 2025, the honeybees of Zurich have been orphaned. The sound of René Beyer’s voice still echoes here and there in the corners of our memories. Even in French, a language he spoke with pleasure and ease.
