Rudis Sylva, Rudis Sylva: the exceptional watchmaker from the Jura
In the exclusive world of independent haute horlogerie, Rudis Sylva is a unique and valuable voice. Born in the heart of the Swiss Franches-Montagnes, in the historic village of Les Bois, formerly known as Rudis Sylva in Latin, the brand draws its identity from a region where watchmaking is much more than a skill: it is a family tradition, a culture rooted since the 18th century.
This village has produced some of the biggest names in watchmaking history—the Baume, Clémence, and Huot families—who have left their mark on the mechanics of time. Rudis Sylva continues this heritage by claiming total independence in its production, with every movement designed, developed, and decorated in-house. This rare commitment is a guarantee of authenticity.
The Harmonious Oscillator: a silent revolution
In 2009, the company unveiled what would become its signature feature: the Harmonious Oscillator. This patented mechanism turned established codes upside down. Whereas the traditional tourbillon corrects the effects of gravity in one minute, the Harmonious Oscillator cancels them out instantly.
Its secret? Two balance wheels synchronized by a toothed wheel, driven by opposing spirals. Their movements compensate for each other, eliminating any drift related to the vertical position in real time. A technical feat hailed as “more effective than a tourbillon” by specialists and considered one of the major inventions of the 21st century in mechanical watchmaking.
RS23: the essential evolution
The result of 15 years of research and excellence, the RS23 marks a new stage in the history of Rudis Sylva. Unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025, this piece introduces a simplified but equally high-performance version of the Harmonious Oscillator.
In the RS23, the two balance wheels remain fixed – they no longer rotate in a cage – while retaining their mechanical link and their ability to continuously cancel out the effects of gravity. This streamlined approach allows for a more direct visual reading of the beating heart of the watch, without compromising on precision.
The RS23 is available in three versions:
- Titanium: lightweight and modern
- DLC titanium: with a bold matte black finish
- Rose gold: for a more classic elegance
- Each is limited to eight pieces, embodying the brand’s absolute exclusivity.
Exceptional finishes and Jura craftsmanship
Rudis Sylva is not content with mechanical performance alone. Each piece is also a demonstration of craftsmanship. The RS23 is a perfect illustration of this:
- “Flinqué” guilloché work carried out by hand on a guilloche lathe, designed by Georges Brodbeck (Gaïa Prize 2023)
- Inward chamfers, fine engravings, beading, sunburst or circular decorations
- Custom-made bridges and components, with the exception of a few standard parts such as rubies and barrel springs
Each watch deserves a magnifying glass: it reveals a world of refined details, the fruit of decades of local expertise.
A rare brand, a unique philosophy
Rudis Sylva produces only a few pieces per year. No flashy marketing, no industrial production runs. Just the desire to create authentic, sophisticated watches for a discerning clientele who share the values of independence, precision, and mechanical beauty.
Wearing a Rudis Sylva watch means embracing the watchmaking heritage of the Jura region, but also supporting a vision of watchmaking that is resolutely forward-looking, where every component has a soul and every movement tells a story.
