The story so far
In this episode, we are joined by German-born Eva Leube; an insanely talented master watchmaker who has a penchant for quite literally bending the rules. Outstanding in her field, Eva has taken herself around the world to work for some of the biggest names in the watch industry, but by far her most impressive and significant work is as an independent watchmaker in her own right, and as creator of the astonishing curved Ari watch, which is all set to make a long-awaited return to the spotlight.
In this episode we welcome back a great personal friend and AHCI member John McGonigle, to take a look at the world of restorations, and at one or two recent projects which John has undertaken on truly magnificent historic pieces. It might be a complication, it might be the dark art of black polishing or guillochage techniques, or cutting the tiny gears and wheels for those extraordinary mechanisms. It could be enamelling, engraving or escapements or anything. There are literally dozens of skills required to create one masterpiece, and we are going in deep to find out about them.
A teacher, a mentor and an inspiration to an entire generation of young watchmakers who are today among the rising stars of independent watchmaking Kari Voutilainen is a true perfectionist who looked up to by connoisseurs and contemporaries alike, and his unique touch can be found throughout the sector. He is often referred to as 'the watchmaker's watchmaker', and in this episode we speak with this amazing and dynamic man.
In this episode we are joined by Marc Jenni; one of the most talented, innovative and creative people in the age of contemporary independent watchmaking. Refining his already profound abilities at the side of Paul Gerber, and with a track record which includes Tiffany & Co, Carl Suchy & Söhne, and today behind the scenes at Vault, Marc Jenni has also enjoyed well deserved acclaim with his own fabulous creations.
In this episode we welcome Marco Borraccino, whose spectacular Singer Reimagined Track 1 chronograph has turned 200 years of watchmaking convention on its head, with its incredible Agengraphe chronograph movement, and picking up the prestigious GPHG Chronograph award in 2018.
In this episode, we're delighted to welcome the man behind the Vault - literally! Founder and the spark behind the incredible Vault series of high tech-haute horlogerie timepieces, Mark Schwarz's story is certainly one of the most interesting and unusual ones in independent watchmaking.
In this episode, we are joined by the wonderful Mr Peter Speake-Marin; a man who knows the world of independent inside out. So much so in fact that he has dedicated his recent years to going behind the dial, to investigate and show us all what actually makes some of the most exceptional contemporary watches of our times work.
In this instalment of In The Metal we welcome Raúl Pagès; one of the very few masters of the centuries-old skill of manufacturing incredible moving mechanical creations, known as automata. A member of watchmaking's elite academy the AHCI, and creator of the superb Tortue tortoise as well as the Soberly Onyx wristwatch, Raúl is currently immersed in creating his own fully in-house mechanical movement.
In this episode Johnny and Dan are joined by young Dutch indie watchmaker Stefan Ketelaars, whose specialty is in creating hand crafted watches which combine traditional values and aesthetics with a thoroughly contemporary twist, featuring spectacular 3D displays and cool, toned-down finishing, which makes each piece a unique work of artisanal watchmaking.
Classically trained and an expert in grand complications, Stephen is recognised as one of the world's finest watchmakers, and his journey to owner of the internationally renowned McGonigle Watch brand, which he co-founded with his brother John, has included periods at Christophe Claret, Frank Muller and Breguet, where his work on horologic masterpieces or on his own magnificent creations has spanned the watchmaking spectrum from tourbillons to minute repeaters, including the grande sonnerie, as well as automata. A profoundly gifted craftsman, the Athlone-born Irishman is today located in Neuchâtel, where he continues to work on his own highly exclusive masterpieces, as well as providing his technical expertise to some of the world's most well known high end watch companies.