Maîtres du Temps – The Story Of The Masters Of Time (Part 1)
The superb “Chapter Two” timepiece developed and created by Master Watch Makers Peter Speake-Marin, Roger Dubuis and Daniel Roth.
The concept of Maîtres du Temps is as unique and ambitious as the spectacular timepieces the company has created. More than just a brand, Maîtres du Temps represents a mind altering shift in the way we perceive the notion of traditional, high-end watchmaking. A revolution several years in the making, this pioneering Marque has created horological history by bringing together the world’s best independent watchmakers to create timepieces that truly delight and astound.
Technically and aesthetically superior in every way, these works of art represent what is possible when masters of their craft come together to share a vision of unbridled excellence and innovation.
A Brief History
Launched to great fanfare in 2008 the company’s first piece, the magnificent Chapter One, was an instant hit with collectors and aficionados the world over. Highly lauded for its mechanical complexities and stunning visual appeal the Chapter One validated the brilliance of one man’s exceptional vision.
That man was Steven Holtzman, Founder and CEO of Maîtres du Temps and, in the eyes of some, a true genius.
Breathtaking – “Chapter One” created by Master Watch Makers Christophe Claret, Roger Dubuis and Peter Speake-Marin
Yet, this almost instant success belied the years of careful planning and consideration, the sleepless nights and the tension filled meetings which culminated in the birth of Maîtres du Temps. This journey was certainly anything but easy. Still, if anyone was up to the challenge, it was Holtzman. A veteran of the watch industry, he first made a name for himself as a key player in instilling the family-owned Gruen firm to the enviable position of the largest independent multi-brand watch distributor in North America. He then went on to found Helvetia Time, a company that specialized in the distribution of high-end watches within the United States, following this up with the establishment of Roger Dubuis North America.
It was this invaluable experience in the retailing of high-end timepieces that would go on to form the basis of Holtzman’s vision for his own brand. Having obtained an insight into the mind set of collectors and enthusiasts that many other companies can only dream of, he was now ready to take on his most ambitious challenge yet: the creation of his own watch company and the introduction of a watch the likes of which the world had never before seen.
The Vision
It is important to understand that Holtzman’s vision was multifaceted, his desire was to change the way watchmaking is perceived in more ways than one. Undeniably the basis of the brand is collaboration, bringing together the world’s best independent watchmakers and challenging them to make something truly exceptional. Yet, this concept of collaboration extended far beyond just the watchmakers.
In a complete deviation from traditional thinking rather than trying to create a product first and then sell it, Holtzman took a completely unique approach.
The First Collaborators – (L-R) Roger Dubuis, Peter Speake-Marin and Christophe Claret
At every step in the process he sought feedback from his long list of associates in the high-end watch retail business. “My thinking was that these retailers are the next closest thing to the consumers themselves” explains Holtzman. “They could give me opinions and insights that I simply could not obtain anywhere else.”
This information proved invaluable and played an instrumental role in shaping the final product. It also ensured that the pieces would appeal to as wide an audience as possible, a challenge often faced by many of the exclusive high-end independent watchmakers.
Perhaps the most ambitious of all his ideas though, was Holtzman’s dream to take his watch makers on tour. He wanted to give collectors and enthusiasts the ultra rare opportunity to meet the faces behind their highly coveted timepieces.
“Many of these watchmakers have never left Switzerland, let alone Europe. They have no concept of the high esteem they are held in or how their pieces are received around the globe” says Holtzman, expounding on the reasoning behind his bold plan. “This would be their chance to convey to enthusiasts how they feel about their creations and the challenges they faced in bringing them to fruition.”
New variations of the sublime “Chapter Two” have recently been released.
This ideology formed part of the inspiration for the brand’s identity; the Master’s of Time and flowed through into the naming of the watches. Each piece would represent a ‘Chapter’ in the story of this watchmaking journey, telling a different tale about the watchmaker and their own experiences both as an independent and as a collaborator on the Maîtres du Temps collection.
And for the first time this story would be told on an international stage by the watchmakers themselves.
It would not be easy though.
Update: Part.2 of this exclusive insight into a truly fascinating watch maker has now been published on The Watch Lounge, read it here!
Category: Brands In Focus
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[...] of our favourite brands here at The Watch Lounge is Maîtres du Temps. It’s difficult to put one’s finger on exactly what the attraction is, but I think it is [...]