Manufakturmesse Baden-Baden Independent Watch Fair

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DonCorson's report on the Manufakturmesse in Baden-Baden offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of independent watchmaking, a crucial segment for preserving traditional craftsmanship. This article highlights the fair's dedication to handmade products, showcasing the intricate work of artisans like Jochen Benzinger and Rainer Nienaber. DonCorson's coverage underscores the growing importance of smaller watch fairs as platforms for independent brands to connect with enthusiasts.

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Manufakturmesse Baden-Baden

As the dominance of the big brands has become overwhelming the smaller watchmakers have been finding new outlets in smaller watch fairs. One of these new fairs in Germany is the Manufakturmesse (Manufacturer Fair) in Baden-Baden which took place last weekend. Not only about watches, this fair is dedicated to hand made products ( manufaktur=made by hand) and included also writing implements, jewelry, cutlery and silverware.

Baden-Baden with its famous thermal baths, casino and festival theatre provided a fitting atmosphere for this event. Let's take a walk around and see what we can find.

Jochen Benzinger's engraved and with guilloché decorated watches will be well known to many PuristS. He brought many stunning watches and also a work bench to show how the work is done.... by hand.

Jochen Benzinger at work with his graver.

The movements are hand skeltonised after engraving. When the skeletonising is finished the edges will be engraved too.

Rainer Nienaber is an AHCI member that we meet at the Basel Fair every year.

Rainer has 2 versions of his regulator, here with seconds on top, like a clock.

If you really want to think every time you look at your watch the Nienaber Dezimalzeit watch is for you. A decimal time watch.

A "watch regulator" with the seconds at the bottom of the dial and a 24hour indication.

Retrograde seconds

Regulator with retrograde minutes.

My favorite Nienaber watch, the Anterograd. It is a one hand (with seconds two) watch. The hand jumps forward over the sector at 9 oclock.

Retro 2

As Rainer says he made this watch using a chinese tourbillon just for fun. It is his "Hummer", a monster watch, for people with "big arms".

Chronoseum is an exclusive dealer representing several high end independents. This armillary sphere is an elegant astronomical sculpture.

Irene Bruckmann makes jewelry from nobel metals and also stainless steel. Her designs are light and airy.

The watches of Dirk Dornblüth are well known on our forum.

The two level dial

Dirk Dornblüth

Torsten Nagengast's Timekeeper Chronometrie is based in Asslar Germany and makes some very handsome watches using well decorated several NOS movements.

Timekeeper is working on their own movement which will be released soon in their first sporty watch. The movement plates are milled in aluminum which allows great freedom in the possible colors through anodising.

A prototype

Modeatelier Bischoff, Thorston Bischoff offers individual tailored suits and travels to his customers in the German speaking countries.

Click here to go to part 2.

This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2011-10-22 07:13:25

Key Points from the Discussion

The Manufakturmesse in Baden-Baden serves as a vital platform for smaller, independent watchmakers to showcase their handmade products, offering an alternative to the dominance of larger brands.
Jochen Benzinger's work, featuring engraved and guilloché decorated watches with hand-skeletonized movements, demonstrates a high level of traditional craftsmanship, with the engraver showing his process at the fair.
Rainer Nienaber, an AHCI member, presented various regulator watches, including a unique decimal time watch, showcasing innovative approaches to time display within traditional watchmaking.
Christine Genesis is highlighted as one of the few female watchmakers with her own brand, producing watches with clean lines and subtle color accents, embodying a distinct German style.
The allure of handmade products, especially in an era of mass production, is emphasized, with attendees appreciating the craftsmanship and unique nature of the watches presented.
The decimal time watch by Rainer Nienaber is noted as an interesting novelty, though challenging to comprehend, prompting reflection on the standard timekeeping system.

The Discussion

DonCorson

Oct 22, 2011

Manufakturmesse Baden-Baden , part 2 There are many women watchmakers, but Christine Genesis is one of the very few women watchmakers with their own brand and making their own watches in limited editions. I find her watches quite attractive, very German in style with their clean lines and small dabs of color. The steps in making a Genesis chrono dial Silversmith Achim Heinkel works using the technique know as Mokume Gane. Similar to dascus steel, but instead of using different kinds of steel, th

MTF

Oct 22, 2011

Our friend Don Corson is too modest to mention that he was also in Baden-Baden to show his 'werke'. Enjoy! MTF Don Corson What's under the glass dome? Aha! Another glass dome under the big glass dome . Closer.....closer........ Don Corson's Dresdener Nr. 5. and UFO Tourbillon This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-10-22 12:40:20

grigo

Oct 22, 2011

God all the temptations, I would not know where to stop. I like the idea that the fair was not only devoted to watches. I happen to like knives very much also. Best regards, George

KIH

Oct 22, 2011

I hope to see them in person.... Only in Europe? Hope they do it around here. Surely this market would love some of these. I will keep your post in my fav and use as reference. Thanks, Don! Ken

pplater

Oct 22, 2011

That was a real eye-opener (and would have been a real wallet-opener too!). Cheers, pplater.

playtime

Oct 23, 2011

quite a number of intriguing models will have to look into them further. J

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