“Conquer or die”: The new collection from the Paraguayan who handcrafts US$525 watches

Giovanni Riquelme, a Paraguayan watchmaker with no prior family history or technical training in the field, has turned a chance discovery into a thriving international business. His brand, Digiori, creates bespoke watches, exporting them to Argentina and Spain, with prices starting at approximately US$525.

Riquelme's journey began unexpectedly when he found his father's old, non-functional watches while cleaning out a storage space. Intrigued, he delved into watch repair through online tutorials and dedicated practice. He began by disassembling and fixing the timepieces, which soon led to requests from early customers for strap adjustments and simple repairs.

Inspired by the Swiss firm Artisans de Genève, which customizes luxury watches, Riquelme envisioned creating unique pieces from Paraguay. He founded Digiori, a brand where clients can personalize various aspects of their watches, including names, logos, colors, and internal mechanisms. Each watch involves a meticulous process from design and component selection to manual assembly, regulation, quality control, and personalized delivery.

Digiori's unique approach has attracted a diverse clientele, including enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, professionals, and collectors. Riquelme is now preparing a limited edition collection under the motto "Vencer o morir" (Conquer or die) to compete next year in the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, often referred to as the "Oscars of watchmaking."