Why watch enthusiasts should collect independent brands, according to Urwerk

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CNA Lifestyle

Why watch enthusiasts should collect independent brands, according to Urwerk

Collectors are able to engage directly with the watchmakers, says Urwerk co-founder Martin Frei.

08 February 2022 04:39PM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 09:31PM)

Later on several years amassing and assembling a watch drove, there comes a betoken in a collector'southward life when he or she begins to look beyond the large proper noun brands. That is when he or she tends to gravitate towards the independents – creators that march to the beat of their own drums, complimentary from corporate pressures.

Read: What niche brands tin can offering collectors

One such maker is Urwerk, which Geneva-based watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and Zurich-based artist Martin Frei co-founded in 1997. Their firstborn, the UR-101, was a radical feat of micro-applied science direct out of a sci-fi flick. With a design inspired by Star Wars' Millennium Falcon, it was every bit far removed from whatever other mechanical watch at the time, and ready the tone for the visitor for the adjacent ii decades.

The teaser video for Urwerk's UR-111C was a tribute to Blade Runner, which happens to be one of Frei's favourite movies, forth with Star Wars and the space opera Star Trek. CNA Lifestyle spoke to Frei to find out the value of collecting independent make timepieces.

WHY SHOULD A Lookout man ENTHUSIAST COLLECT INDEPENDENT BRANDS?

For the beauty, the human being talent, the creativity, the sincerity injected into each cosmos. We practice not have five-yr plans. Nosotros do not rely on complex marketing strategies. Our advice tools are our watches. They are our way of expressing ourselves.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD You Give TO A WATCH ENTHUSIAST WHO IS LOOKING TO Offset COLLECTING INDEPENDENT Make TIMEPIECES?

To follow his heart. Starting time you lot spot the sentry. The one that makes your hand sweaty and your brain repeat incessantly 'Mine'. You try to go every bit much information on information technology as you lot can: on websites, social media, magazines... And then the fun starts because y'all can actually pick upward your phone or driblet an due east-mail to its creator and y'all know what? He is going to answer you back. You have a direct connection! You lot cannot contact a Mr. Rolex or a Mr. Omega only for sure you can talk to (independent watchmakers) Philippe Dufour or Kari Voutilainen or Felix Baumgartner or myself.

Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner, co-founders of Urwerk. (Photo: Urwerk)

WHAT Assurance Can Y'all Requite THAT A Sentinel FROM A NICHE Brand Similar URWERK WILL Concur ITS VALUE?

We cannot give such assurance. Buying contained is non an investment! Y'all buy something rare that you experience related to. You buy it to be your own, to take it on your wrist, to alive with it and be the witness of precious time. For investments please refer to your broker :)

WHAT Practise YOU THINK THE NEXT Large THING IN WATCHMAKING Volition Exist?

When information technology comes to watchmaking trends I try not to follow them also closely. I want to preserve my free spirit. I am not from the watchmaking world, my groundwork is more from the artistic side and I like information technology that way.

Trained as an artist and designer, Frei did not come from a watchmaking groundwork. (Photograph: Urwerk)

More than WATCH BRANDS AND RETAILERS ARE SELLING ONLINE. DO YOU SEE THIS AS THE WAY FORWARD?

Yeah I practice. We live in an due east-connected world and watchmaking will be no exception. It is an surface area like any other subject area that has to evolve with its time. But to be frank I recall that nothing will ever supervene upon the firsthand experience. You may fall in love with a cosmos online only in my opinion, the existent bail will be created when you lot have it in contact with your skin, on your wrist.

URWERK BEGAN More than THAN 20 YEARS Agone WITH THE INTENTION OF Irresolute THE Status QUO. WHAT WOULD You lot CHANGE Virtually THE Watch Industry TODAY?

I would not alter much. I run into diverseness, creativity and boldness all around.

Why watch enthusiasts should collect independent brands, according to Urwerk

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