Melissa Wolfgang Amenc enhances the legacy of Golay Fils & Stahl
In the heart of Geneva, Switzerland, a family-owned business named Golay Fils & Stahl continues to shine as a beacon of excellence in the jewelry industry. Founded in 1837 by Auguste Golay as a watchmaker, the company has evolved and grown over the centuries, becoming a household name known for its high-end, intricate, and highly accurate timepieces.
The company's rich history began with Edouard Stahl, an English jewelry merchant who became a partner in 1896 and later the sole owner. By the 1870s, jewelry outpaced timepieces as the firm's top revenue earners. In 1961, the company was sold to gemstone dealer Jacques Wolfgang, who was a long-time supplier to the Stahl family.
Golay Fils & Stahl received a warrant as the official jeweler to the royal family of Romania at the turn of the 20th century, and its customer base includes European royal families, French and British nobles, and North and South American millionaires. The company's reputation for quality and craftsmanship has been maintained over the years, with Melissa Wolfgang Amenc, the current director, continuing to uphold the company's legacy.
Melissa Amenc's role at Golay Fils & Stahl involves working actively within the trade and with private clients. She perceives a pay gap and misogyny in the jewelry industry, but also acknowledges the presence of successful C-Suite women. Her commitment to young professionals suggests she is destined to soon join their ranks in a leadership position.
Among the over 200 antique pieces housed in the company's private museum at its Quai des Bergues headquarters, Amenc's favorites include a rectangular lady's wristwatch with geometric shaped diamonds, a world time pocket watch, and a red enamel bird of paradise table clock. She purchases jewelry for her cosmopolitan clientele based on her instinct and what she finds beautiful, chic, or cool.
In 2001, Amenc started working for Golay Fils & Stahl. Under her leadership, the company has modernized and expanded, diversifying its product range and strengthening its position in the precision instruments market. The company retained the name Golay Fils & Stahl but stopped manufacturing watches, instead selling them with the Golay Fils & Stahl name and retailing highly refined timepieces produced by specialist watchmakers.
Amenc exhibited 12 Art Deco pieces from the collection at the May 2025 Gem Genève jewelry trade show, showcasing the company's dedication to preserving its rich history while also embracing the future. In her daily life, Amenc finds balance by functioning well in extremes and having a supportive husband and nanny.
Golay Fils & Stahl's journey from a watchmaker's shop in 1837 to a renowned jewelry house today is a testament to the company's commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. As Melissa Wolfgang Amenc continues to lead the company, it is clear that the legacy of Golay Fils & Stahl will continue to shine brightly in the jewelry industry.
