Maison Viale in Bastia since 1794

VIALE HOUSE SINCE 1794

On June 16, 1794, Maison Viale was created by grandfather Jules Viale at 14, Bd Paoli in Bastia. In almost 230 years of existence, 7 generations of goldsmiths in the family have made and sold unique pieces of jewelery made from precious metals. In this jewelry the whole family worked including Jacques Viale in his capacity as goldsmith.

Tanguy leaves the cocoon

Jean-Charles, with his baccalaureate in hand and passionate about watchmaking, chose to follow a training course at the ANET school at the Château de Dreux in the Cher, the holy of holies of watchmaking. It was not easy to integrate the ANET school, it was necessary to be sponsored by illustrious characters, it was a former student who allowed him to enroll. The training lasted 4 years and was complete “Training HBJO”, spiral watches, traditional jewelry, different phases consisting of studying gemology (study of precious, semi-precious, fine stones, etc.). Knowing that platinum and white gold are different, originally the composition of white gold was gold + nickel. Today nickel is prohibited, jewelers replace it with silver. The classes were of 30 students with very rigorous training. From ANET came complete workers with a total general culture. Jean-Charles remembers the atmosphere that reigned, the exhibitions of the apprentices, the competitions, the life of the students at the boarding school, the famous balls of Saint-Eloi and above all an experience oh so rich in lessons. For 3 years from September 1977 to June 1980 he studied in this castle where an iron discipline reigned, his training was rapid in terms of his abilities which allowed him to “skip” a class. Unfortunately the school closed for lack of buyers. In Besançon, a school still trains the watchmaking elite, but many students prefer to go to Switzerland, where new designers are trained.

Back to Bastia

March 1983 he opens “L’Atelier” 10, Bd Paoli he repairs, restores, transforms, polishes. He wants to have beaches rest for a real family life, not to work tirelessly as his parents did. Serge arrived from Nice on December 17, 1986 with his CAP-BEP in micro mechanics, watchmaking option in his pocket and offered his services to Jean-Charles who hired him. Soon 36 years that they work together. In 1988 “L’Atelier” moved permanently to 15, Bd Paoli. At the Workshop, if you have an alarm clock, a watch, a “broken down” clock, a knitted purse that is fraying, we repair it. For years Jean-Charles bought all the new machines that came out on the market, a machine to engrave the inside of wedding rings, a rolling mill that stretches precious metals (gold or silver) from an ingot to make wires . As he is always at the forefront, he has also trained in new technologies, namely “connected watches”.

Jeweler’s notes

Goldsmith root: “gold” and “blacksmith”. Silver is a noble metal that is still widely used today. It is a very aesthetic and solid product that has antimicrobial and anti-fungicide properties. The precious metal vermeil with a golden appearance is in fact made up of silver. Yellow gold is an alloy composed of24 carat pure gold, silver and copper
, depending on the proportion of pure gold, the metal will be classified as “18, 14 or 9 carats”. Gray gold called white gold is an alloy composed of pure gold and silver. Rose gold is made of pure gold, copper and a little silver. The precious metal platinum made its entry in the 20th century, its physical and chemical properties make it a particularly resistant metal, which does not corrode. Chemical element atomic n° 78 it has become rare because used for chemotherapy, dental care, electronics… Soon 44 years since Jean-Charles started this great adventure, he would like to “hand over” to train an apprentice, leave him all the “equipment” for a small rental contribution, alas! no hope of recovery. So, when Serge retires, he will close his doors like many others in Ajaccio and elsewhere with the regret of a quality that has been lost. Too bad the little flame still shines in his eyes.