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Globalization of Watchmaking
We are in Exciting Times, No longer is watchmaking restricted to Europe but we can say that Asia has arrived with the rise of Japanese and Chinese watchmakers creating unique designs encompassing their own perspectives.
I am optimistic and hopeful that we will one day see pieces created in Africa and South America which will demonstrate new and exciting ways to look at watchmaking.
If the GPHG is the Oscars of Watchmaking then is the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives (Needs a Shorter Name or known as LVWPIC hereafter) the Golden Globes? or the GPHG is Wimbledon and the LVWPIC the French Open?
I Digress, I was reading SJX'S excellent article that the LVWPIC has announced their Semi-Finalists, going through the list I realized either I am not in touch with what is really happening or watchmaking has exploded, who are all these makers? 10 years ago you could list the number of Top Independent watchmakers on two hands, we may have entered triple digits by now and these are the ones we know about it, absolutely amazing! Here are some of the names I didn't know, if you did you are a Super WIS.
Auffret Paris Giverny Blue Train: I heard of Theo Auffret before but not this watch
Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan Beauties of Nature
Fabian Pellet L'Essential:
Kallinich Claeys Central Seconds:
Mgraver Ventralis by Shiming Yang:
So Great to see a Watchmaker from Hong Kong, China, the Legacy of the Great Master Kiu Tai Yu continues
Mineroci RD002:
Reuben Schoots Series Two, Australia in the House!:
Tasaki Black Mother of Pearl, Well known Watchmaker Fiona Kruger is involved on this piece:
Winnerl Tremblage:
Fantastic Pieces, Wish All these Watchmakers Success and Luck πππ, Variety is the Spice of Life and We Are Lucky to Be Living Through this Era.
Image Sources: Various through Google Images
I am optimistic and hopeful that we will one day see pieces created in Africa and South America which will demonstrate new and exciting ways to look at watchmaking.
If the GPHG is the Oscars of Watchmaking then is the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives (Needs a Shorter Name or known as LVWPIC hereafter) the Golden Globes? or the GPHG is Wimbledon and the LVWPIC the French Open?
I Digress, I was reading SJX'S excellent article that the LVWPIC has announced their Semi-Finalists, going through the list I realized either I am not in touch with what is really happening or watchmaking has exploded, who are all these makers? 10 years ago you could list the number of Top Independent watchmakers on two hands, we may have entered triple digits by now and these are the ones we know about it, absolutely amazing! Here are some of the names I didn't know, if you did you are a Super WIS.
Auffret Paris Giverny Blue Train: I heard of Theo Auffret before but not this watch
Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan Beauties of Nature
Fabian Pellet L'Essential:
Kallinich Claeys Central Seconds:
Mgraver Ventralis by Shiming Yang:
So Great to see a Watchmaker from Hong Kong, China, the Legacy of the Great Master Kiu Tai Yu continues
Mineroci RD002:
Reuben Schoots Series Two, Australia in the House!:
Tasaki Black Mother of Pearl, Well known Watchmaker Fiona Kruger is involved on this piece:
Winnerl Tremblage:
Fantastic Pieces, Wish All these Watchmakers Success and Luck πππ, Variety is the Spice of Life and We Are Lucky to Be Living Through this Era.
Image Sources: Various through Google Images
Great post, Salman! Really enjoyed reading this.
You're absolutely right about this being a renaissance moment. What gets me excited is seeing how different regions bring their own cultural DNA to watchmaking. The Japanese approach feels so different from what's happening with Chinese independents right now - it's fascinating to watch.
And yes, LVWPIC vs GPHG is such a good comparison. LVWPIC feels more like discovering new talent at a smaller gallery versus the blockbuster museum show. The pace of new makers popping up is incredible - feels like there's always someone new to discover.
Those Mgraver and Reuben Schoots pieces you showed are gorgeous. Really drives home how the center of gravity in watchmaking has shifted - it's not just about the traditional Swiss houses anymore.
Honestly think we're in one of those periods people will look back on as pretty special. The variety and creativity happening right now is something else.
Well Said Sir and Thank You π, you articulated my sentiments far better than me π
The Reuben Schoots is a Marvel β€οΈ, Shiming Yang's Mgraver is so cool!
I am cheering for Kallinich Claeys π₯
Met both young inspiring watch makers and have good impressions.
Hope to see them at DWW 2025 π
Very nice post Salman.
I like the "crumpled paper" or "landscape from 30,000ft." look of the center dial on the Schoots. Also the plate composition on the back of the Tasaki is refreshing and unique.
Although they're not the newest kids on the block I like to follow the work of some watchmakers here in the US including Roland G. Murphy (RGM est. 1992), Towson Watch Co.est. 1998 and Keaton Myrick here in Oregon (Bend) since 2012. I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of that are trying to restore the watchmaking tradition in America. Again, thanks for your well researched post.
Edit: I'll add Dan Spitz, Del Rey Beach, Florida (former guitarist for Anthrax) to that list.
Thank You ππ so true to Add your list Bulova, Cameron Weiss, JN Shapiro, Cornell Watch Company, MassenaLab and even IWC...
are all doing their part to keep the tradition of American watchmaking alive, in my opinion their global distribution is not what it can be, primarily because they have enough demand domestically to cover their capacity, however more work can be done.
Those names are hard to spell and harder to pronounce (for me)
Weβve got to say the name correctly when bragging about the watch on our wrist β and the listener has to be able to repeat it to his friends!
Cazalea
Cazalea
π You must have classy friends, no one cares what I wear, if People can Learn Klingon they can Learn Chinese Names ππ