Maîtres du Temps– The Story Of The Masters Of Time (Part 2)
Chapter One represented advancements in watch making never before thought possible.
Welcome to Part Two of our two-part special on Master Watchmaker Maîtres du Temps. If you missed Part One earlier this week, you can find it here.
Selling The Dream
“When Steven first told me about his idea, I think I may have laughed…” chuckles Peter Speake-Marin, an extraordinary independent watch maker in his own right and (as he would become) a hugely important member of the Maîtres du Temps team.
This unintended reaction was expressive of Speake-Marin’s incredulity at what Holtzman was proposing. Whilst the concept seemed straightforward the reality was far different.
The proposed groundbreaking collaboration would mean the constant juggling of a myriad of ever present complexities, not the least of which were conflicting schedules and ideologies. Yet the allure of what could potentially be achieved was simply too much to resist.
“It definitely wasn’t easy”, reflects Holtzman, “there were a lot of people out there who thought what I was proposing simply could not be done.” Unperturbed, however, he pushed on, calling on the innumerable contacts he had amassed within the industry over his extensive career.
Thanks to his long-standing relationship with master watchmakers Roger Dubuis and Christophe Claret, Holtzman was able to form the core of his first collaborative effort. In a flash of brilliance he recruited the talented Speake-Marin to manage the project and act as a medium between the two master watch makers, both students of very opposing schools of thought.
Almost from the outset though, the new team faced considerable challenges. “Effectively we had brought together three different styles, three different schools of watchmaking if you will and so everyone wasn’t always on the same page” Holtzman reveals.
The Masters at work – Daniel Roth and Peter Speake-Marin (right) review finishing details on the Chapter Two movement – image courtesy of Maîtres du Temps.
Each maker had a different point of view on the correct design, manufacture and assembly protocols and so often unexpected issues arose. He credits Speake-Marin’s direct approach and experience with ensuring that the project kept on track, praising his willingness to tackle tough issues and force decisions to be made.
On the flip side, however, it was also this creative process that Holtzman found the most rewarding. Each of the members of this elite team knew each other previously but not well and whilst they initially displayed some reluctance to working together, they soon realised how much they had to share with and learn from each other.
“It was truly a gift” Holtzman recalls, “to be able to watch them teach other and pass on unique skills they had acquired in their own experiences. To witness it all coming together and seeing these people learning and working together was simply amazing.”
The Culmination of Collaboration
The end result of the first piece created by Maîtres du Temps was nothing short of mind-blowing. Representing advances in watchmaking not previously thought possible, Chapter One was the first wristwatch to ever feature a tourbillon with mono-pusher column wheel chronograph, retrograde date, and retrograde GMT, as well as moon phase and day of the week on their own rolling bars.
What is even more impressive, however, is the legibility of a piece that is so exceptionally complex. The ease of both reading and adjusting Chapter One’s many indications disguises the fact that this is a world-first combination of complications crafted from 558 components.
Chapter One – a world-first combination of complications crafted from 558 components.
Chapter Two was equally as impressive featuring an instantaneous triple calendar, big date, day indication on roller, month indication on roller, sub-seconds and an automatic winding mechanical movement. It was this movement that really established the technical qualifications of Chapter Two, incorporating the mechanism responsible for driving the rollers. Whilst appearing almost simple the instantaneous change of big date, day, and month on the trademark rollers represents a truly incomparable level of mechanical complexity and attests to the inventiveness of three masters involved in the process.
It was not just the watches that proved successful, however, Holtzman’s was also able to realise his other grand idea to stunning effect. Accompanied by Daniel Roth, a highly regarded independent watch maker and one of the visionaries behind Chapter Two, Maîtres du Temps went on tour.
The tour included a presentation to a select number of individuals at the Sincere Watch Academy in Singapore. Here a guest of the colloquium is pleased to meet legendary master watchmaker, Daniel Roth – image courtesy of Maîtres du Temps.
“It was fantastic” exclaims Holtzman, “being able to watch collectors sit in awe as they listened to Roth speak, lining up to get his autograph afterward. He was as mesmerized by them as they were by him, disbelieving at the attention he was receiving. It was truly a remarkable experience!” And one that he plans to replicate with each new Chapter.
The Final Word
The story of Maîtres du Temps is a truly fascinating one, filled with exceptional achievements and seemingly insurmountable hurdles. Yet throughout it all Steven Holtzman and his outstanding team have maintained their incredible focus and sense of indomitable optimism, even in the face of some of the most inconceivable challenges. Not only have they successfully created horological history and redefined the way we view high-end watchmaking, they’ve also proved that conventional wisdom doesn’t always hold true.
Where there is a will, there is almost certainly a way.
Perhaps what is most exciting though, is that with six Chapters in total planned and the release of Chapter 3 still several years away this journey is still very much at its beginning. The anticipation of what this pioneering Marque will do next is almost unbearable, but you can be absolutely certain of one thing: it will take your breath away!
Dare I say that the best is still yet to come?
* Special thanks to Steven and his team for giving me this opportunity to share with you this insight into what is a most captivating Marque. For more information please visit the official Maîtres du Temps website.
Category: Special Features
Thanks Tom for the great coverage. I really appreciate you taking the time for such an in depth story.Best Steven Holtzman
Hi Steven, not a problem at all, it was a very enjoyable experience! Thank you for taking the time out to speak with me and make this all possible. Look forward to speaking with you soon.