Raoul Perret

Raoul Perret was a Swiss businessman who inherited Universal Genève in 1933 and also served as president of Martel and on the board of Zénith.

Raoul Perret joined the board of the Martel Watch Co. on March 12, 1942. He took over the role of president from founder Georges Pellaton-Steudler, who remained as vice-president. The rest of the board was made up of Georges' sons, Redé-Philippe Pellaton, Georges Pellaton (junior), and Raoul Pellaton. Financial capital remained at 150,000 francs suggesting that Perret bought out other investors (perhaps even some Pellaton family shares) rather than investing new money.

Despite the controlling position for Perret at Martel, the company remained independent throughout the 1930s and 1940s and emerged as an independent firm in 1956. Universal was the largest customer for Martel in this period and the facade of the factory bore the name "UNIVERSAL" through the 1940s. The factory produced the acclaimed Universal Compax series of chronographs and also supplied these movements to Zénith (which also included Raoul Perret on the board), Girard-Perregaux, and others.

Raoul Perret stepped down from the administration of Martel on May 9, 1956. He was replaced as president by Raoul Pellaton, with Georges Pellaton (junior) becoming vice-president, René Pellaton secretary, and Robert Maire serving as technical director.