CMS advises Lotus on joint venture with Christophe Claret

In a complex transaction, the newly established Swiss company Lotus Two AG (now operating as Claret Manufacture SA), a joint venture between the Lotus Group and Christophe Claret, acquired the Christophe Claret brand assets and intellectual property, following insolvency proceedings. The relaunch is founded on a shared commitment to preserving Christophe Claret's creative independence while providing the governance, resources, and international structure required for sustainable long-term development. The new company is governed by a six-member board of directors, which brings together representatives of both parties. It is assembling a strong leadership team comprising experienced watch industry executives and individuals with business and management expertise, who share a vision for the future of the brand. Christophe Claret himself will remain as Master Watchmaker and Creative Force. The first watches to carry Claret's signature under this arrangement are expected in late 2027 or early 2028.

Christophe Claret founded Manufacture Claret in Le Locle, in the Swiss Jura, in 1989, and has since developed over 100 calibres, 80 of which the company describes as world premieres. His catalogue includes the Westminster Minute Repeater Tourbillon, the Orbital Tourbillon, and various musical and interactive complications.

Lotus Investment Singapore is a family-owned investment group. Based in Singapore, it operates across Asia and Europe and its activities include luxury hospitality, high-end goods and international business ventures. Lotus holds the majority shareholding and provides the strategic and financial framework, while Christophe Claret remains a board member and retains creative control over the final design of the watches. CMS and Lotus had previously collaborated on Lotus' investment in FC Schaffhausen.

A CMS team led by Dr Daniel Jenny (Partner) and Florian Jung (Senior Associate) comprehensively advised Lotus on this transaction. The team further included David Hürlimann (Partner), Jonas Weber (Associate, both Tax), Dr Simone Brauchbar Birkhäuser (Partner), Ursina Bopp (Paralegal, both Intellectual Property), Dr Thomas Zweifel (Partner, Real Estate), Dr Marjolaine Jakob (Partner, Insolvency and Restructuring), Dr Alexander Salamon (Associate) and Raphael Hammer (Trainee, both Corporate/M&A).