Episode 003: Nobody's having lunch with Mr. Rolex - Manufacture visits & human touch in watchmaking

Kathleen and Adam revisit memories of their favorite manufacture visits (hint: all of them), from Audemars Piguet to Casio to independent watchmakers’ ateliers. Contrary to the popular wisdom that you should never see how the sausage is made, a manufacture visit can bring a real, personal connection to a watch, though some might see it simply as an object. They discuss how scale and workflow differ from brand to brand and country to country. From a floor full of watchmakers assembling Royal Oaks, to an automated assembly line, to a centuries-old restoration workshop, to a clock tower that inspired a watch movement, Kathleen and Adam compare the wildly different ways brands build, finish, and protect their craft. Each brand has its own distinct imprint, but the common thread is the people, their expertise, and the pride they bring to the work. In our modern world, surrounded by time, watches aren’t necessary—or are they? Learn more at redbargroup.com. 0:00 — Introduction and Reminiscing about Watch Manufacturing Visits 2:30 — The Fascination of Watchmaking 5:21 — Experiences at Audemars Piguet 7:44 — The Human Touch in Watchmaking 10:01 — Visiting Independent Watchmakers 14:42 — Cultural Reflections in Japanese Watchmaking 20:40 — The Art of Watchmaking and Mass Production 24:03 — Cultural Pride in Craftsmanship 25:18 — Nature’s Inspiration in Grand Seiko 33:20 — The Small World of Watchmaking 35:14 — The Craft of Enameling at anOrdain 39:05 — The Future of Watchmaking and Sustainability