Independents

I had a pleasure of seeing the graduation exhibition of Japan's jewelry and watchmaking school, Hiko Mizuno (see my report on the "petite" Lange Academy held there: ) There were two projects from the graduate students or interns, both of which are pretty...  

Ken. All of your articles are very interesting.

Congrats to the graduates. Thanks Ken. Looking forward to seeing their impact in years to come.

Student design and assemble a tourbillon watch?

... there are lots of students and some stay after 2 year program and start designing and making complicated watches. And those are such "interns".

And even more important: it shows that Japan has a bright watchmaking future. Thanks! Fx

.... we have to make room for them! Thanks, Fx! Ken

Thank you I actually quite like the look of that retrograde hours and minutes tourbillon.

.. yes, that's quite a mechanism to work flawlessly and that's why it has taken such a long time.... Ken

I look forward to their continued success.

.. somehow we have to make the system to support them....

...making tourbillon school watches. Impressive. KIH, how long is their program total? My program is 2 years, with only 2/3 of one month working time allotted for a school watch, based off a ETA 6497 caliber. Bridges officially only, but anything complica... 

... and these two interns decided to stay for another year, so these tourbillon watches are the product in their 3rd year.... Ken

That makes sense. I figured there wouldn't just be a school somewhere where students were taught to make watches. There would be no point to the industry that way, who need those who can service timepieces, not just make them. Making is more fun though. I... 

it would be nice for me to see you, too.. Ken

It is great to see the "in work" pictures and then the finished pieces. Congratulations to the watchmakers. I hope we hear more from em in the future. Don

Would bloom to be a succesful independent watchmakers. I have been dying for an Asian watchmaker to arise. cen@jkt

highly trained, skilled and talented Worker in the industrial process, but with the knowledge of what centuries of watchmakers have done before.. Design is what sells most nowadays, but we still need vision and the ability to use our heart, hands, mind an... 

.. need to do something to foster these talent... Ken

Interesting to see other types of report. You featured 2 watches. Does it mean only 2 student "graduated" ? Interesting to see even a student only needs 6 months design and 6 months assembly when you hear of big name brands telling us 5yrs and such. But i... 

... 2 year program of watchmaking, and they both decided to remain and continue to advance their pursuit for the "better" watchmaker. Most of them do not remain after 2 years and those two are from those who decided to remain and for the year after the 2-... 

...some one give these students a graduate scholarship; like cen@jktm, I'd love to see a new and innovative Asian brand (although tourbillons are a bit overdone the design is very appealing). Congrats to the students! And thanks for the great post. R

.. currently thinking of.... really. It would be a waste not to let them continue their work at least a bit longer.... Ken

Ken, thanks for a yet another great writeup. Absolutely provides an insight into the state of horology industry in Japan. It takes tremendous courage to venture into ACHI as this must be few and far between in Japan, and for that, these great innovators h... 

Yes, I intend to follow up those two - although one has decided to work for an European brand service department. Another one (retrograde) decided to remain at the school as intern for another year and will be easier to follow. Thanks again! Ken

Impressive stuff, Ken ! Thanks for sharing

retrograde piece. Almost a highly innovative Breguet quality to it. I have some theories on Japan and craft, and the young watchmakers seem to be bearing this out! Many thanks! Andrew H

... Ken-San, thanks so much for this information. I am happy to see what appears to be young kids doing amazing work. The retrograde tourbillon is fantastic. That guy is ready for the major leagues! - Scott