The company is based in Geneva and was started in 2018 by Patrick A. Ulm, who was born there. Charles Girardier L'Aîné (the Elder), who received the title and distinction of Master Watchmaker in 1809, is credited with giving it its name. Patrick Ulm made the decision to design watches that were influenced by the life of this Geneva watchmaker from the eighteenth century, whose principles were whimsical mechanical animation and the sublimation of this through crafts like grand feu enamel dials with "paillons."