Suzanne Rohr

Suzanne Rohr is a Swiss watch enameller who works as an independent artist in the Swiss watchmaking industry. She is considered an expert miniature enamel painter and has maintained a long-time partnership with Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe.

Early life and education

Rohr was born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1939. As a child, she was interested in painting and drawing, and drew inspiration from an enamel exhibit at the Art and History Museum in Geneva. She went on to study enamelling at the School of Decorative Arts in Geneva, graduating in 1959 as the only student in the class. The same year she won the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation prize for her enamelling work on a women's bracelet. Rohr continued to produce pieces for Patek Philippe, some taking up to two years to create, for over five decades.

Rohr employs the Geneva Technique, a process that involves layering different colors of enamel and baking at high temperatures, with some pieces requiring up to 25 different layers to complete.

Rohr mentored Anita Porchet who is considered one of the "most in-demand of today’s top enamellers".

Awards and honors

In 1959, Rohr was awarded the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation prize in recognition of her enamelling work In 2017, Rohr received the special jury prize at Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève alongside her protégé Anita Porchet In 2019, Rohr was honored by the Prix Gaïa for her "mastery of the art of enamelling"