Golay-Buchel Holding

Golay-Buchel Holding S.A. was a Swiss jewellery company headquartered in Lausanne. Its activities centred on the processing and distribution of cultured pearls, diamonds, coloured gemstones and gold jewellery. The company was listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange, and its majority shareholder was Norinvest Holding SA, based in Geneva. Founded in 1887 by Louis-Auguste Golay in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux, the business began as a trader in natural pearls, gemstones and other products for jewellers and watchmakers. It went public in 1985. In 1987, with the creation of the Oro Vivo retail chain, Golay expanded into watch and jewellery retailing. In 1999, Golay founded the joint venture Signity together with the Swarovski Group, and at the same time reorganised its structure into three divisions: production, wholesale and retail. At its peak in 2000, the group employed 1,900 people and generated sales of 325 million Swiss francs. With the sale of the Oro Vivo retail division in 2004 and its stake in Signity in 2006, Golay entered a drastic divestment phase. The company was liquidated in 2016.

Golay-Buchel Holding S.A. was founded in 1887 by Louis-Auguste Golay in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. Initially, Golay traded in natural pearls, gemstones and other products for jewellers and watchmakers. Over the following decades, the company developed into an internationally active Swiss jewellery enterprise, concentrating on the processing and distribution of cultured pearls, diamonds, coloured gemstones and gold jewellery. In 1985, the company went public, listing on the SWX Swiss Exchange. Two years later, in 1987, it expanded into watch and jewellery retailing by establishing the Oro Vivo retail chain. In 1999, Golay founded the joint venture Signity together with the Swarovski Group. At the same time, the company reorganised its organisational structure into three divisions: production, wholesale and retail. At its peak in 2000, the group employed 1,900 people and achieved sales of 325 million Swiss francs. However, a drastic divestment phase began with the sale of the Oro Vivo retail division in 2004 and the disposal of its stake in Signity in 2006. The company was ultimately liquidated in 2016.

• 2016

  Company liquidated.

• 2006

  Disposed of its stake in Signity.

• 2004

  Sold the Oro Vivo retail division.

• 2000

  Peak: 1,900 employees and sales of 325 million Swiss francs.

• 1999

  Founded the joint venture Signity with the Swarovski Group; reorganised into three divisions: production, wholesale and retail.

• 1987

  Expanded into watch and jewellery retailing with the creation of the Oro Vivo retail chain.

• 1985

  Listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange.

• 1887

  Founded by Louis-Auguste Golay in Le Sentier, Vallée de Joux, Switzerland.

International Swiss jewellery group integrating production, wholesale and retail, with a focus on pearls and gemstones.

• Cultured pearls

• Diamonds

• Coloured gemstones

• Gold jewellery

1. 1Golay-Buchel Holding - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Golay-Buchel Holding - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org