⏱️Watch industry ⌚️ historian and writer. The search for (horological) grails is the search for illumination!
Joined February 2014
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On Saturday I was in Brooklyn to participate in the forthcoming documentary by Condor Films focused on the past, present, and future of the watch industry. I focused on the stories and people that make #watches so compelling! Watch for the multi-part documentary in 2026!
ALT Stephen Foskett is filmed in Brooklyn under the Manhattan Bridge
#GrailWatch: @RolexMagazine A fascinating article by Jake Ehrlich on Jake's Rolex World Magazine uncovers a new image suggesting Hans Wilsdorf's office at Rolex. With intriguing details and historical context, it delves into the legacy of Rolex. buff.ly/4gmSuJQ
The story of #watches in Tavannes is well-known, but a closer look reveals interesting details. It wasn’t just Henri Sandoz, the Schwob families, or the village’s dedication. It was a confluence of factors, plus emerging watchmaking technologies, that led to Tavannes' rise. /1
ALT Tavannes was one of the major watchmaking operations in the 20th century
Geiser’s death prompted Tavannes' bourgeoisie to invest 55,000 francs in a new ebauche factory. The decision was backed by Tavannes' watchmaking history, its railroad access, and a skilled workforce. /6
ALT The bourgeoisie of Tavannes invested 55,000 francs on a new ebauche factory a month after Geiser's death
Tavannes needed a skilled watchmaker to take over Geiser’s business. The new factory was built to attract Henri Sandoz. This combination of local expertise, infrastructure, and financial backing created the perfect environment for Tavannes Watch Co. /7
ALT The Geiser factory still looks much the same as it did in 1880, despite wearing the name "Tavannes Watch Co"! - Image: Apple Maps
I love these glorious old hand-drawn logos! This "monogram" was used by Tavannes Watch Co and was registered in 1906. #watches
ALT TWCo logo
Imagine judging a #watch competition and finding a counterfeit of your own brand. That’s what happened to Adrien Philippe at the 1885 Antwerp Exposition. The “Pateck-Schwob Affair” became the first major test of Swiss trademark law and changed the watch industry forever. /1
ALT The poster for the 1885 Antwerp Exposition with an example of the "Pateck & Cie, Genève" watch
The Pateck-Schwob Affair set legal precedents that shaped modern Swiss trademark law and reinforced the importance of protecting brand reputation. It also demonstrated @PatekPhilippe’s commitment to defending the integrity of their name—a legacy that endures. /12
ALT A 1920 article in Journal Suisse d'Horlogerie pointing out the continued relevance of the Pateck-Schwob case
I hope you've enjoyed this story!
This was an attempt at a new style of storytelling. For more, follow and check out my long-form article (with more detail) on my website. Maybe subscribe to my newsletter for more too-infrequent stories like this! /fin
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