Bijoux Medusa

Bijoux Medusa
Bijoux Medusa
TypePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded2017
FounderJulien Duguay[1]
Headquarters
Québec and Montreal
,
Canada
Number of locations
 (2017)
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsJewellery
Websitewww.medusa.jewelry

Bijoux Medusa is a Canadian jewellery store.[2] It is the only jeweller to receive the MEI Awards from the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation[3][4] at the first edition of Expo 2019.[5]

History

The company was founded in Chicoutimi by Julien Duguay in 2017.[6]

In 2019, it received the MEI Awards from the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovationat the Expo 2019.[3][4][5]

In 2023, Bijoux Medusa acquired the three rings of the Stanley Cup of Mario Tremblay[7] as well as the trophy of the Molson Cup which are put on display at Laurier Québec for the hockey fans.[8]

In 2023, Medusa Jewelry was a finalist for the Canadian Jewelry Retailer of the Year Award.[9]

Activities

Bijoux Medusa specialises on the retail sale of gold and diamond jewellery, including rings, chains, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and watches.[10] Most items are produced using 10-carat gold.[11] Their stores are located in Chicoutimi, Quebec City and Montreal.[12] In addition, they also sell products online via their online boutique, website and mobile app.[13]

Controversies

Homeless à Rolex

In 2026, Bijoux Medusa launched the web series Homeless à Rolex (Homeless to Rolex), distributed on social media. The series followed six people experiencing homelessness who were assisted with various aspects of their lives while also participating in a competition.[14]

The concept drew criticism, particularly from people working with the homeless, who objected to vulnerable people being publicly exposed and placed in competition with one another. Critics also accused the company of using the participants for promotional purposes.[15] Duguay rejected the criticism, stating that the purpose of the series was to help the participants and raise public awareness about homelessness.[16]

Rolex lawsuit

In April 2026, Rolex and its Canadian subsidiary filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Canada against Bijoux Medusa and its owner, Julien Duguay, alleging trademark infringement and the sale of counterfeit Rolex products.[17][18]

According to the allegations reported by the media, Rolex claims that watches marketed by Bijoux Medusa contained "counterfeit dials or other non-genuine components" ("cadrans contrefaits ou d’autres composants non authentiques"), including allegedly non-genuine parts or cases.[19][20] Rolex further alleges that none of the watches at issue meet its quality standards and disputes their marketing as "100% authentic" or "certified pre-owned" Rolex watches.[21]

The dispute concerns, among other products, Rolex watches customized by Bijoux Medusa through the addition of diamonds or other precious stones. Rolex alleges that some of the modified watches constitute counterfeit reproductions and that the company has imitated Rolex designs. According to Rolex, these practices are liable to mislead consumers regarding the origin and actual quality of the products and damage the prestige associated with the Rolex brand.[22]

Bijoux Medusa disputes the allegations. In a statement, the company described the lawsuit as "unfounded" and a "vexatious proceeding", and maintained that all of the watches it sells are authentic.[23] The company argues that adding diamonds and other elements to authentic watches constitutes legitimate customization and characterized Rolex's legal action as an attempt to intimidate a local Canadian business.[24]

Rolex is seeking, among other remedies, an order prohibiting the disputed use of its trademarks, the destruction of material found to unlawfully bear its marks, and damages.[25] The allegations have not been adjudicated by the court.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tremblay, Diane (23 November 2022). "Une bijouterie de luxe avec des montres à 600 000$ ouvre ses portes à Québec". Le Journal de Québec.
  2. ↑ Rainville, Patricia (15 March 2019). "Medusa, la petite bijouterie qui deviendra grande [VIDÉO]". Le Quotidien (in French).
  3. 1 2 Villeneuve, Denis (28 March 2019). "100 000 $ en bourses". Le Quotidien (in French).
  4. 1 2 "Bourses d'honneur du MEI | Quatre jeunes entrepreneurs se distinguent". Journal Informe Affaires (in French). 27 March 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Expo Techno 2019 - Un invité de marque pour inspirer les participants". Journal Informe Affaires (in French). 7 March 2019.
  6. ↑ Beaupuy, Solveig (8 August 2022). "Une bijouterie saguenéenne mise sur le métavers et les cryptomonnaies". Le Soleil (in French). Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  7. ↑ Hudon, Jonathan (29 June 2023). "Les bagues de la Coupe Stanley de Mario Tremblay entre les mains d'un Chicoutimien". Le Soleil (Quebec) (in French).
  8. ↑ Boutin, Richard (29 June 2023). "Voici combien a payé un bijoutier de Québec pour les trois bagues de la Coupe Stanley de Mario Tremblay". Le Journal de Montréal.
  9. ↑ Boutin, Richard (29 June 2023). "Voici combien a payé un bijoutier de Québec pour les trois bagues de la Coupe Stanley de Mario Tremblay". TVA Nouvelles.
  10. ↑ Grégoire, Caroline (23 June 2023). "Bijoux Medusa, précurseur au Québec de la vente des sacs grand luxe faits par Hermès". Le Soleil (in French).
  11. ↑ Tremblay, Diane (23 November 2022). "Une bijouterie de luxe avec des montres à 600 000$ ouvre ses portes à Québec". Le Journal de Québec.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ Villalba, Léa (26 December 2022). "Le luxe à l'heure du numérique". Les Affaires (in French).
  13. ↑ Tremblay, Isabelle (14 August 2017). "Un jeune entrepreneur se lance en affaire sur les réseaux sociaux". TVA Nouvelles.
  14. ↑ St-Pierre, Nicolas (6 July 2026). "Homeless à Rolex : une websérie de la bijouterie Medusa pour aider des personnes en situation d'itinérance". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Bijouterie Medusa : « Les gens me jugeront quand ils donneront autant que moi »". FM93 (in French). 15 July 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  16. ↑ St-Pierre, Nicolas (6 July 2026). "Homeless à Rolex : une websérie de la bijouterie Medusa pour aider des personnes en situation d'itinérance". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Rolex accuse l'influenceur de vendre des montres contrefaites". La Presse (in French). 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Julien Duguay et Bijoux Medusa accusés par Rolex de vendre des montres contrefaites". TVA Nouvelles (in French). 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Rolex accuse l'influenceur de vendre des montres contrefaites". La Presse (in French). 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Julien Duguay et Bijoux Medusa accusés par Rolex de vendre des montres contrefaites". TVA Nouvelles (in French). 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Rolex accuse l'influenceur de vendre des montres contrefaites". La Presse (in French). 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Rolex accuse l'influenceur de vendre des montres contrefaites". La Presse (in French). 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "Julien Duguay et Bijoux Medusa accusés par Rolex de vendre des montres contrefaites". TVA Nouvelles (in French). 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Julien Medusa : une poursuite de Rolex sur des contrefaçons". Billie (in French). 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "Rolex accuse l'influenceur de vendre des montres contrefaites". La Presse (in French). 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
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