Time aeon - A new alliance of independent watchmakers.

The founding watchmakers demonstrate both their alliance and their craft.

'Watchmaker': irrespective of the high skill level involved, is it a misnomer? I wonder what small percentage of watchmakers actually make watches. And I refer to physically ‘making’ rather than assembling a pre-fabricated kit. ‘Watch mechanic or engineer’ may be a more accurate title; after all, nobody expects a highly skilled car mechanic to be able to design and manufacture an engine piece by piece and he does not refer to himself as a car constructor!

Over the last decade or two, the world of haute-horologie has gone from strength to strength, with both volume and value of sales increasing year on year. The result has been an ongoing, acute shortage of watchmakers with watch schools and training institutions making great efforts to meet the voracious appetite of the brands for trained staff. However, the companies are not after large numbers of craftsman who can actually make a watch; they need people who can assemble watches and/or repair watches quickly by replacing parts - not by fabricating them. Theses are certainly very valuable skills in themselves; however, is it really true ‘watchmaking’?

Philippe Dufour's sublime Simplicity

"In the schools, the basic watchmaking techniques with soon no longer be taught", predicts Philippe Dufour. "The watch companies do not need them anymore, they simply want operators. It would be better if they banned the name watchmaker!"

No surprise then, that in this golden epoch for the Swiss watch industry, when increasing numbers of ever more expensive and ever more complicated watches are sold, and discerning collectors are appreciating that traditional horological art and craft creates real value, that the art and craft so sought after - and often mass-marketed - is itself fast disappearing.

Traditional fine movement finishing harmonizes with avant-garde design in Vianney Halter's Classic

Enter ‘Time aeon’, a new alliance of - at present - five of the world’s finest independent master watchmakers. I use the term watchmaker here in the very truest sense of the word as the five founding watchmakers comprise: Philippe Dufour, Vianney Halter, Kari Voutilainen, Stephen Forsey and Robert Greubel.

These men, independent creators of some of the finest contemporary timepieces on the planet, are all very different; however, they all share the same fundamental concerns. These include: a feeling of isolation; a lack of creative and technological synergies; a steady loss of watchmaking craftsmanship and knowledge; the constant reduction in highly skilled and motivated master watchmakers; the desire for future development: and the desire that watchmaking is fully recognized as its own art form.

“I think that Time aeon is a proactive way to perpetuate and transmit the know-how and the tradition of haute horlogery with watchmakers who share my values and ethical views.“ says Vianney Halter. " We are not competitors; it is out duty to share our knowledge."

Vianney Halter expounding his views on horology and life.

Halter's incredible Antiqua.

“The opportunity to be able to share and perpetuate the art and craft of fine watchmaking makes the founding of Time aeon one of the most important projects of my professional life.” Robert Greubel

Robert Greubel sharing a passion for haute-horolorie with a love of horses.

The concept of the Time aeon was conceived by Martial Fragnière and Laurent Bardet, who are the administrators, co-founders and respectively president and vice-president of the new group. Having been professionally involved with independent watchmakers for a number of years, the two men heard the same frustrations expressed over and over. They decided to do something about it and after two and a half years of research and investigation, Time aeon was born.

"One of the aims of Time aeon is to allowing young watchmakers to perfect their techniques by working in different ateliers." explains Martial Fragnière

Time aeon is structured as the umbrella group for three separate entities: Alliance, Heritage and Enterprise.

1. The Time aeon Alliance is designed as framework where members their share knowledge and skills; it will also facilitate the training of the next generation of master craftsmen with a program where selected watchmakers work and train among the alliance’s members. Philippe Dufour is president of Time aeon Alliance.

2. Time aeon Heritage is tasked with safeguarding the precious knowledge, craft and philosophy that the alliance’s members possess; guaranteeing that the know-how will be perpetuated and available into future. Kari Voutilainen heads Time aeon Heritage.

3. Time aeon Enterprise is a company that pays for it all. The first two entities are non-profit making, ensuring that ethics and craft come before all else. However, the members are also well aware that the best of intentions count for nothing; it is results that count and for their aims to be realized they will need hard cash. To raise the financing for Alliance and Heritage, the members will create exclusive models bearing the Time aeon stamp; Time aeon Enterprise will be in charge of the marketing and distribution of these watches. Martial Fragnière is the CEO of Time aeon Enterprise.

Stephen Forsey's fascination with mechanics is not restricted to modern micro-engineering.

Greubel Forsey's superbly crafted and finely finished Double Tourbillon 30 degrees

Greubel Forsey earn their place among the greats with their outstanding quality of design, finish and execution.

“Being very grateful to those who freely shared their knowledge and passion for watch making with me early in my career, I see Time Aeon as the means through which l may return something to this marvellous profession which brings me so much satisfaction.” Stephen Forsey

It should be stressed that Time aeon is not intended to be a brand in itself, but a vehicle, which will collectively carry the individual member’s brands further than they can go alone.

Modeling themselves on the old craft-guilds, the founders call themselves, “Watchmaker Companions”; a name embodying the fundamental values of companionship as it was practiced in days gone by - specifically in the transmission of expertise and values; however - now adapted to the realities of the 21st century.

"Young watchmakers know very well how to manipulate
a computer mouse, but nothing at all about using a
file", laments Kari Voutilainen.

Kari Voutilainen at his workbench.

Excellence does not come much better than this: Voutilainen's The Masterpiece 7 Decimal Repeater

“I was teaching watchmaking soon after finishing my own watchmaking training in Finland, sharing the secrets of complicated movements while working at Parmigiani before teaching once more at WOSTEP.
Sharing knowledge and safeguarding horological heritage has always been important to me.” Kari Voutilainen.

Voutilainen's masterpiece 7 is an incredible work of horological art.

There will be those that compare Time aeon to the existing association of independent watchmakers - the AHCI - and question what this new alliance brings that cannot already be carried out under the AHCI umbrella.

The two organizations are not mutually exclusive; indeed the majority of Time aeon’s founders are either present members, or associate members, of the AHCI. Whereas the AHCI exists primarily to provide a platform for members to exhibit together i.e., the Basel exhibition, Time Aeon’s purpose is to provide a structure where members can share and perpetuate their knowledge and craft.

Ideally, both enterprises will flourish, bringing forth a renaissance in the appreciation of the art and craft of the independent watchmaker.

"My gratification is when a young talent shows in my atelier", explains Philippe Dufour " there is a knowledge, a certainty who the knowledge has gone to and that it may be used."