A watchmaker’s history – reading Hands of Time by Rebecca Struthers

The last few years have been exceptional for the publication of books by independent watchmakers and brands. They provide a level of depth that is difficult to present on social media. From our vantage point, it’s not a coincidence that these publications are becoming more frequent as the community around independent watchmaking continues to grow rapidly – the audience is there and yearns for more stories. Without revealing too many spoilers, we’re diving into two aspects of Hands of Time that make it an enjoyable read.

WatchesEsperLuxeJuly 6, 2023watchmaking, watches

How to assess watch movements beyond finishing

There are many ways that a watch movement can be considered great. It could be its complication, simplicity, finishing, three-dimensionality, symmetry, asymmetry, materials, or any combination of all of these things. In today’s world, these various factors are not all created equal though. One from this list occupies a disproportionately large amount of attention in the watch world: finishing.

WatchesEsperLuxeMarch 1, 2023watches, watchmaking

Hurdles in watchmaking: the biggest challenges for industry pros

That’s what we’re digging into today, the challenges that pushed watchmakers and creatives in independent watchmaking the most. We spoke with two watchmakers, Jean-François Mojon and Sylvain Pinaud, as well as one of the chief creative minds amongst independents, Max Büsser, to hear their input on what challenges they face.

WatchesMikeJanuary 11, 2023watchmaking, watches, independent

Why haute finishing should exist alongside haute complications

Though this first attempt will be far from perfect, I’d like to flesh out the idea that not all finishing is created equal, and nor should it be. Haute finishing should exist as a concept alongside haute complications, primarily to act as guidance for collectors to see who is going above and beyond with their finishing work.

WatchesMikeOctober 19, 2022watches, watchmaking

What makes German watchmaking German?

I wanted to pursue a similar line of thought in navigating how culture impacts watchmaking. More precisely, what makes German watches German and where is German watchmaking headed? Fortunately, Esperluxe friends Christine Hutter at Moritz Grossmann as well as Ev and Stefan Kudoke from their eponymous brand lended a hand. As independent watchmakers and brands in Glashütte, the seat of historical and contemporary German watchmaking, both helped shed light on what the key characteristics are of German watchmaking and its future.

WatchesMikeMarch 16, 2022watches, watchmaking

Creation and Serendipity: Svend Andersen’s Early Days

Every beginning is improbable, the result of chaotic circumstances coming together at the right moment and time. In the case of Svend Andersen and his long, illustrious journey as an independent watchmaker, some spirited New Year's celebrations in his youth put the young watchmaker on the map.

WatchesEsperLuxeJuly 21, 2021watches, independent, watchmaking