Stand created for Vacheron Constantin at an international watchmaking exhibition. Raboud Group counts more than 25 watchmaking and jewellery brands among its references.

In Western Switzerland, Raboud Group is best known for its projects in schools, hospitals and public buildings, as well as for its kitchens and interior fittings for private clients. Yet the Fribourg-based company also operates in a very different world: that of high-end exhibition stands, watch boutiques, jewelry stores, luxury chalets and bespoke interiors for discerning clients, from Geneva to Seoul, via London and New Delhi.

Founded in 1984, the company has developed this expertise over several decades. “At the time, my father acquired the client portfolio of a company specializing in exhibition stands that was closing down. That is how he first entered the luxury sector,” explains Johann Raboud, co-owner of Raboud Group.

Today, Raboud Group can look back on collaborations with more than 25 watch and jewelry brands, including several within the Swatch and Richemont groups. From boutiques and showrooms to exhibition stands, the company is involved throughout the entire process, from surveying and technical design to manufacturing and on-site installation. Everything is designed and manufactured in Bulle, in the Gruyère region, although some projects require installation teams to spend several weeks abroad. “For a two-story Piaget boutique in London, we spent almost a month on site,” recalls Johann Raboud.

In this industry, where every detail matters, requirements go far beyond flawless finishes. Lighting, metalwork and the integration of secure display cases have become key areas of expertise. “It is thanks to the watchmaking industry that we acquired this highly sought-after know-how and continue to develop it,” says Commercial Director Vincent Murith. Meeting deadlines is equally critical. The opening of a boutique or a major international trade show leaves no room for improvisation.

From watchmaking to exceptional residences

The other major high-end market for the company is private residences. Every year, Raboud Group contributes to the interior fit-out of prestigious homes and luxury chalets in Switzerland and abroad. Verbier, Crans-Montana, Zermatt, Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez are among the destinations where the company regularly works. “These are almost always Swiss clients who know us and are looking for Swiss quality. They are willing to pay for transportation in order to benefit from our expertise,” says Johann Raboud.

Whether for a watch boutique or a luxury residence, requests are often far from ordinary. Marble, precious woods, fabrics, gold leaf and the integration of complex technical solutions are all part of the challenges the teams regularly face. “We have never said no to a project, even when it seemed a little unusual – as long as it was technically feasible,” Vincent Murith says with a smile.

Behind these achievements stands a team of around sixty employees bringing together a wide range of skills, from 3D design and digital manufacturing to project management and on-site installation. “Our teams truly enjoy projects that go beyond standard solutions,” notes Johann Raboud. Their enthusiasm helps preserve and strengthen a valuable expertise that has been built up over more than forty years.