Harry Winston, renowned for its exquisite jewelry and precious gems, embarked on a transformative journey in 1998 to breathe new life into its watch department. The Opus Project came to define an era of independent watchmaking. It pushed the boundaries of what most people thought possible for a traditional brand like Harry Winston and was completely unexpected. It was an innovative decision that spurred creativity, collaborations, and increased the visibility of independent watchmakers and shed light on the watchmakers, and the power of collaboration in an industry that remained resistant to change.

Urwerk has always blended deeply philosophical thinking with horological brilliance. The UR100V Stardust, which debuted at Geneva Watch Days, redefines elegance with gem-setting that adds a uniquely tactile sensation while combining natural beauty with the avant-garde watchmaking of Urwerk. We also got to see the Urwerk Space-Time Blade, presented for Only Watch this year. The Space-Time Blade is a fusion of all things Urwerk, combining craftsmanship and technology, and seamlessly blending in sci-fi elements that help everyone to dream. I am excited about where these projects are leading Urwerk after they celebrated their 25th anniversary!

Thirteen years on from the brand's first in-house caliber, the team at Armin Strom decided to completely rework that 7-day power reserve caliber, hence the name. The watch required a fair bit of imagination as the team wanted to bring forward more architectural aspects and add more depth to the main plate. Carrying forward the lessons learned from Mr. Armin Strom himself, Claude and Serge continue the legacy of not hiding the movement from the wearer.

This year Geneva Watch Days was punctuated by a very hot week preceding the event, and cool weather during Geneva Watch Days, itself. It really felt as though fall had arrived. Aside from the obvious seasonal changes, there were numerous changes I noticed from Geneva Watch Days 2022 to 2023 that really intrigued me.

Fueled in no small part by two boutique movement workshops, a new generation of horological visionaries cut their teeth and learned to carry on the legacy of haute horology. Finding freedom in the newfound superfluity of the wristwatch, these watchmakers realized their creations no longer had to exist solely for timekeeping. Rather, their creations could become wearable works of art, mechanically complex items that not only expressed a specific point of view on watchmaking, but pushed the limits of human ingenuity and micro-engineering.

The history of watchmaking is one of innovation, craftsmanship, and the slow dispersion of skills and talents from artisans and scientists across diverse disciplines. A journey through the history of horology reveals the inseparable connection between independent watchmaking and the evolution of timekeeping, a relentless pursuit driven by human curiosity.

Independent watchmaking is where history, engineering, and artistry collide. It’s a canvas for self expression. Independent watchmaking can be found in the hands of a singular artisan, or in brands crafting hundreds, or thousands, of timepieces annually.

I love watches because they are an allegory for humanity: watches are made by humans, striving for perfection, but are themselves fallible. I love that watches are mechanical works of art, made by hand, and can be repaired over time. They feel like a permanent object in a world of planned obsolescence.