Independents

His 'Captain Nemo Submer-lectro'  makes the best of the new situation and transforms the necessary batteries into integral aspects of the design. Prescher makes the point that there is actually no point in hiding the new electronic nature of the watches, instead, makers should be honest and frank about it. 

He goes as far as to identify new areas of watchmaking independence: 'Who knows when the two quasi-monopolists for batteries, Duracell and Energizer, is deciding to cut supply to small watch brands? You better are prepared, and this is exactly what I will be!', and then he shows us a working (!) prototype of his new in-house fuel-cell which will be compatible with the Submer-lectro:

With a history as captain of a German army vessel Thomas Prescher admits that his new nautical themed and fuel cell powered watch is like seafarer's dream to him: 'Its like steering your own submarine!' He notes however that as of now the costs for a set of these cells is prohibitive. Prescher is in negotiations with other watch brands, notably his friend Max Büsser, to establish common standards for watch fuel cells that ensure interoperability. Another avenue he is considering is a rental or even a lease-and-lease-back scheme.

But this all only the start of a medium term future. Watchmakers need to familiarise themselves with completely new skills. This is where Paul Gerber steps in. Involved in training of watchmakers since several decades, Mr Gerber took up the task to develop curricula for future generations of watchmakers.




Already as of the upcoming semester at the watchmaking school of Grenchen, aspiring horological pupils can enrol in a first specialised course in electronic timekeeping. in line with the AHCI's new guidelines the focus will be in the development of new movements. Like with the standard courses, students will work a lot with school movements.

Paul Gerber is testing in his atelier various candidate movement kits, which is currently evaluates for their utility in training programmes. If it weren't for all these electronic parts, there is actually little difference to the movement kits of the past:

A kit called 'Motor W2 C' is the current incumbent. It is sufficiently complex, the parts are widely available and it contains internal monitoring indicators. Paul Gerber is particularly satisfied that the kit is powerful and flexible enough to be amenable for modifications such as the addition of further complications - an important aspect since such improvements are part of the final examination watchmakers have to pass!

Initial results and further details shall be discussed in an upcoming event co-orgnaised with the , entitled "Les smartwatches une opportunité pour l'horlogerie suisse?"  (engl.: Smartwatches, an opportunity for the Swiss watchmaking industry?).

Any critical voices? You bet! Nobody else than finishing guru Philippe Dufour refuses to follow the new directives: 'If we cannot any longer communicate to the market the intrinsic values of the finest watchmaking products we create I'll have no alternative than to cancel my AHCI membership with immediate effect', Dufour says. 'I even consider opening a last 10 slots for my blockbuster Simplicity watch, for a final 'Simplicity HEP' * edition!'