The actress, model, and entrepreneur Bárbara Cabrera embarked on a journey through Switzerland with her partner, Alejandro Trasmonte, to discover one of the most exclusive realms of European luxury: high watchmaking. Among Alpine landscapes, designer hotels and visits to prestigious manufactories, the former Miss Universe Argentina 2022 explored the connection between precision, innovation and artisanal craftsmanship.
From Geneva to the Vallée de Joux, the experience blended sightseeing, gastronomic offerings and encounters with some of the most renowned brands in the watchmaking industry. An itinerary that allowed her to see up close how pieces are created that transcend their function and become objects of design.
“I have always been closely connected to the worlds of fashion and design, but this trip allowed me to discover another dimension of luxury. Seeing how a watch is made, the time each piece takes and the precision with which the artisans work made me value even more everything behind such a special object,” Bárbara explained.
Geneva and Le Brassus: luxury hotels, landscapes and Swiss gastronomy
The journey began in Geneva, where Bárbara and Alejandro stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, one of the city’s luxury hotels. From there, they drove toward Le Brassus, with a stop in Lausanne, to reach the Vallée de Joux, a historic region in Swiss watchmaking.
In this small town surrounded by forests and mountains, the couple chose the Hôtel des Horlogers, a property whose name means “Hotel of the Watchmakers” and which blends contemporary architecture, nature and watchmaking tradition.
The building stands out for its expansive glass surfaces, the use of concrete and its open views toward the landscape. Its design aims to integrate with the surroundings and offers an experience in which architecture and the region’s tranquility play a central role.
Gastronomy also featured in the itinerary. In Le Brassus, the couple visited La Brasserie Le Gogant and enjoyed a traditional fondue in Pré-aux-Veaux. In Geneva, the route included restaurants such as Izumi, Il Lago, Sachi and Ottolenghi, with varied culinary offerings.
“Alejandro and I really enjoyed this trip. Switzerland has a very special combination of landscapes, architecture, gastronomy and tradition. We loved being able to visit such exclusive places and, at the same time, discover all the work behind the great watchmaking brands,” shared the model.
Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet: a journey through the history of watchmaking
One of the trip’s highlights was the visit to the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet, located in Le Brassus, where the historic Swiss manufacture has its roots.
There, Bárbara explored the brand’s history, met some of its most representative pieces and approached the work of the master watchmakers.
During the visit, she could discover the complexity of the mechanisms, the precision required for each component and the numerous hours of dedication demanded by crafting a high-end watch.
The experience continued at one of Audemars Piguet’s manufacturing facilities, where she learned about the different stages of development and assembly of the watches. Among the brand’s emblematic models is the Royal Oak, internationally recognized for its distinctive design.
For Bárbara, the journey also highlighted common ground between watchmaking and fashion, two industries where materials, finishes and artisanal work are essential.
“What surprised me most was seeing the work of the watchmakers. They are tiny pieces that require incredible precision and many hours of dedication. When you see the whole process, you understand that behind every watch there is much more than a design,” she stated.
Nyon: Bárbara Cabrera’s experience at the Hublot manufacture
The itinerary also included a visit to Hublot’s manufacturing facility, located in Nyon, near Geneva. The Swiss firm is known for combining traditional watchmaking with a contemporary design perspective and for exploring innovative materials.
During the tour, Bárbara discovered various manufacturing and assembly processes, in addition to the research work the brand conducts to incorporate new materials and enhance the performance of its pieces.
The visit also allowed her to get closer to the training of new professionals and to learn how the watchmaking craft is transmitted to the younger generations.
One of the most special moments came when she had the opportunity to try assembling a watch and experience the difficulty of working with such tiny components.
“At Hublot I even tried assembling a watch. I thought it would be easier, but it was a challenge. It isn’t easy to work with such small pieces and with so much precision. I had a lot of fun and it was a very different experience from anything I had done before,” she recalled.
Bárbara Cabrera and a New Perspective on Luxury
For Bárbara, the trip through Switzerland represented an opportunity to discover another facet of design, in which tradition, innovation and artisanal work coexist in every creation.
Although fashion and watchmaking belong to different industries, both share a common quest: to develop pieces with their own identity in which every material, form and detail serves a function.
Among the Vallée de Joux landscapes, contemporary architecture and historic Swiss manufactories, Bárbara and Alejandro added an experience that went beyond exclusive destinations. The journey allowed them to witness the work, dedication, and precision behind some of the most recognized creations of international luxury.
