The Faustian Bargain: Are We Moving Towards Intelligent Mechanical Watchmaking?

Here is the real challenge: integrating the connectivity and all its attendant features while preserving the mechanical heritage which remains the ultimate know-how of Swiss watchmaking, its real USP. Douglas Finazzi, CEO of Conex Watches, brings to the table a mechanical Swiss Made answer to the smartwatch with its X-One: “Our goal is to create a digital tradition marrying the mechanical craftsmanship and electronics. The timekeeper offers a non-traditional display of digital information thanks to a mechanical linear counter powered by micro-motors, among the smallest in the world.”
 

Is this really a successful selling point for the end consumer? Well, the successful financing of the X-One on Kickstarter last year, its appeal at last year’s CES show in Vegas and its current deliveries shows the interest is here. Famous Swiss motorist, Jean-François Mojon of Chronode, who developed the mechanical part of the X-One, goes further: “It is first of all a mechanical watch with a traditional movement. The goal was to introduce relevant and useful functions like a GMT or a QP with the precision of digital technology but a mechanical transcription with watch wheels.”
 

Our three innovators agree on this point: There will always be a place for mechanical watchmaking, especially in the high-end segment, but digital is unavoidable and a combination of both worlds is possible. Peter Stas goes further still: “For me, it is a mistake to ignore the birth of a hybrid segment. Many traditional models will become redundant, especially for quartz”.
 

One cannot fail to observe that even the high-end world is starting to explore this lead. Thus, Ressence, the most Belgian of Swiss Made brands, decided to use the available technologies to heighten the customer experience of their purely mechanical timekeepers. Benoit Mintiens, CEO of the brand, unveils his philosophy behind the creation of his Type 2 e-crown: “The aim is to increase trust in mechanical watchmaking, so that traditional watches remain relevant in our time. The new generation is digital, we need to take that into account.” He adds: “We are looking for ergonomics in the larger possible sense. Ressence brings forward a completely autonomous timekeeper which can be wound either manually, either automatically through kinetic energy that charges a generator linked to a battery, or by solar energy. An unprecedent comfort and ease of use. Add the unequaled digital precision of automatic time setting to the mix and you obtain the 21st century watchmaking.” But aren’t we on the verge of losing the profound emotional attachment sought-after in mechanical watchmaking? He simply answers: “This new ergonomics will create a strong relation with the object. Exactly as with traditional timekeepers, the more you get to know it, the more you will love it”.