26th February 2023
In Conversation with Dr Rebecca Struthers
I first discovered Dr. Rebecca Struthers and Struthers Watchmakers on Instagram, I especially enjoyed the behind-the-scenes ‘making’ videos and the Struthers’ focus on both restoration and using traditional techniques. Ahead of the publication in April of her first book, Hands of Time, I sat down with Dr. Struthers to learn more about her career to date from studying jewellery to becoming the first British watchmaker to earn a PhD in horology!
Read more3rd October 2022
In Conversation with Davide Cerrato
The first time I learned of HYT Watches, their concept of using mechanical bellows to pump a fluid around a watch was like nothing I had ever seen. During the pandemic, HYT were forced to close their doors, but they are back with a bang under the leadership of Davide Cerrato, a watch industry veteran who is the mind behind the Tudor Black Bay, and now CEO and Creative Director of HYT. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Davide during a visit to London for a collectors’ evening hosted by my partners at The Limited Edition.
Read more15th September 2022
In Conversation with Ondřej Berkus
One of the best things about social media in the watch world is discovering new brands and new watchmakers. When I discovered independent watchmaker Ondřej Berkus’ account @hodinkyberkus, I was immediately struck by his inventive and unique pieces, the incredible colours, textures and use of different materials. Ondřej is a self-taught watchmaker from the Czech Republic, and I was lucky to be able to catch up with him recently to learn more about his journey and watchmaking philosophies.
Read more20th June 2022
In Conversation with Bernhard Lederer
I will openly confess that until I attended the GPHG Awards in Geneva last year, I was not really aware of Bernhard Lederer or his work until he was on stage collecting the GPHG Innovation Prize for 2021. In absolute awe of his award-winning central Impulse Chronometer, I set about learning more about him, before being presented an incredible opportunity to interview Bernhard during a visit to London at a collectors’ evening hosted by my partners at The Limited Edition.
Read more3rd June 2022
In Conversation with Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat
Back in 2020 when Petermann Bédat announced the launch of their 1967 Deadbeat Seconds, it was one which immediately caught my eye. I love the design and find it interesting that the duo chose the deadbeat seconds complication for their first major launch. Given the limited production, I never thought I would see one up close – but on their recent trip to London I caught up with Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat to learn more.
Read more29th March 2022
In Conversation with Svend Andersen
Exploring the world of independent watchmaking, it doesn’t take long before you start learning about Svend Andersen. A master watchmaker and founder of the AHCI who spent several years at Patek Philippe after creating his legendary Bottle Clock, Svend Andersen has been operating as a true independent watchmaker since 1980. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to speak with him and learn more about his incredible career!
Read more16th February 2022
In Conversation with Tsoroev Rashid
When I recently wrote my piece about independent watchmaking in Russia, it amazed me how more than one of the watchmakers’ skills had been self-taught. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak with one of these incredible watchmakers, Tsoroev Rashid, to learn more about his journey so far.
Read more9th December 2021
In Conversation with Pietro Tomajer
For the 100th Watch Affinity article, I wanted to do something special. Recently I have been doing a lot of work with the support of Pietro Tomajer at The Limited Edition, and so to mark this 100th article I sat down for an extended interview with him to learn more about his career and what makes him tick.
Read more24th November 2021
In Conversation with James Lamb
James Lamb is the independent watchmaker behind UK-based James Lamb Watches. This month has seen the launch of his first series of watches – the Origin Series – comprising 4 watches cased in silver, inspired by the four elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water. For this interview, I sit down with James to learn more about his journey into watchmaking, the inspirations behind the Origin Series, and his plans for the future.
Read more13th October 2021
In Conversation with Stefan Kudoke
When independent watchmaker Stefan Kudoke won the GPHG Petite Aiguille award in 2019, he became the first German independent watchmaker to have won it. Ever since, the popularity of Kudoke watches has grown significantly, and I was lucky enough to be able to speak with Stefan about his career to date.
Read more21st April 2021
In Conversation with Jean-Claude Biver
There is one name that is truly synonymous with the world of watches: Jean-Claude Biver. The more I learned of his career, the more interviews with him I listened to, the more inspired I became. It was an absolute honour to be able to speak with Mr. Biver and to ask about his career and thoughts on the future of the watch industry.
Read more7th April 2021
In Conversation with Benoît Mintiens
When Benoît Mintiens founded Ressence watches in 2010, their designs introduced an entirely new way of showing the time with their mechanical rotating discs. I was hugely fortunate to be able to speak with Benoît, about learn more about how Ressence came to be as well as the thinking behind both their designs and innovations.
Read more24th February 2021
In Conversation with Vianney Halter
With a self-titled style of “Future Past”, Vianney Halter’s watches are heavily influenced by timepieces from history but also his love for science-fiction – imagine what futuristic designs might have looked like in the 19th Century, and you’re entering Vianney Halter’s realm. I absolutely love his work, and am absolutely delighted to have been able to ask about his career, his inspirations and more.
Read more1st July 2020
In Conversation with Ludovic Ballouard
For me personally, one of the most enjoyable facets as a watch enthusiast is finding something different, something that stands out, and most importantly something which makes you smile when you look at it. I can still remember the first time I saw the Upside Down, a watch with only a minute hand which shows the hours on the dial all upside down, with exception of the current hour which is the right way up. I love this idea and was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with its creator, Ludovic Ballouard.
Read more30th April 2020
In Conversation with Max Büsser
Ever since I started learning about watches, one designer and his brand in particular has always stood out to me. That designer is Max Büsser, Founder and Creative Director of MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends). The first time I saw these pieces, my mind was opened to an entirely new idea of what a watch could be; I found the creativity behind them to be inspiring, and I consider myself exceptionally fortunate to have had the chance to sit down and have a conversation with the man himself…
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