CYRUS GENÈVE WELCOMES MICHELIN 2-STAR CHEF STEFAN HEILEMANN, HEAD OF THE RESTAURANT AT THE PRESTIGIOUS WIDDER HOTEL IN ZÜRICH, AS ITS LATEST "FRIEND OF THE BRAND".

Born in Germany in 1982, Stefan Heilemann is head chef at the restaurant of the prestigious Widder Hotel in Zürich, where he was awarded 2 Michelin stars in 2020 and nominated Swiss Chef of the Year in 2021 by Gault Millau gourmet guide.

For Stefan Heilemann, cooking is not just a passion, it’s a way of life.

Craftsmanship, product quality and a constant quest for experimentation and innovation are the three main pillars on which he has created his cooking style.  A style that combines the traditions of French cuisine with a few hints of exotic flavours, inspired by his travels.

The link between the passion for cooking and watchmaking is subtle but powerful.

The Chef believes that the art of watchmaking and the art of cooking have much in common.

Both Cyrus Genève and Stefan Heilemann are committed to respecting tradition, but with an eye to the future. They draw on the experience and culture of the past to improve and innovate in the present. The goal for both the 2 Michelin star chef and the Swiss independent brand is to offer customers their own, exclusive and distinctive creations, with a twist that immediately and unmistakably identifies their signatures.

In the kitchen, as in a watchmaking workshop, precision is essential to achieve the excellence of the dishes on offer. Courses that have to catch the eye and delight the palate.

Just like the Cyrus timepieces, which impress with their strong identity and outstanding chronometric performance. Perfect for enthusiasts and collectors who want to stand out from the crowd and assert their individuality.

From the Cyrus Genève collections, Stefan Heilemann chose to wear one of the brand's most iconic models, which marked the introduction of the first Klepcys case with a diameter of 42 mm (smaller than in previous collections), water-resistant to 10 atm and the first manufacture automatic movement.

We are talking about the Klepcys GMT Retrograde, with its grade 5 titanium cushion-shaped case and 24-hour GMT function. Contemporary and unique in style, it has an openworked dial with an unprecedented palm-shaped upper bridge surmounted by a 24-hour arc with a retrograde hand indicating a second time zone.

It is driven by the in-house CYR708 automatic calibre developed in our Manufacture based in Le Locle (Swizerland) by Jean-François Mojon, the master watchmaker behind all the Maison's models since its founding in 2010, and has a power reserve of 55 hours.

From this first edition, other versions were born over time, culminating in 2025 with the presentation of the new Dominion GMT.  Same functions, same practical functionality, same mechanical reliability, but framed in a new round case.

Stefan Heilmann states: “It is a privilege for me to have discovered the Cyrus Genève universe and I feel perfectly at ease with my Klepcys GMT Retrograde. Practical, functional and comfortable on the wrist, it accurately marks my time in the kitchen. Time that is precious for artfully prepared dishes. Haute cuisine and high-end watchmaking are two arts that come together to create different but unique experiences that I guess we can promote together”.

Dr. Pablo Richard, CEO and owner of Cyrus Genève, declares: “Meeting starred Chef Stefan Heilemann and enjoying his cuisine was a very pleasant discovery. Dishes prepared with the highest quality products, perfectly blended for sublime flavours and presented in refined and elegant compositions. The result of research and innovation. Just like in watchmaking. To be considered a work of art, a watch must be aesthetically appealing, designed and assembled with top-quality components, finished and decorated with extreme care and skill by master watchmakers and craftsmen. I am delighted to be working together, as we share the same values in the pursuit of excellence for the benefit of our audiences."