Meet the guardian of horological history at one of Switzerland's most storied watchmaking houses. As Head of Heritage for Zenith, Laurence Bodenmann oversees a treasure trove that would make any watch enthusiast weak at the knees—more than 1.3 kilometers of archives and a collection exceeding 5,000 timepieces that document the brand's 160-year journey.

Drawing from her background in anthropology, Bodenmann approaches watch history not simply as a catalog of beautiful objects, but as a window into human innovation and problem-solving. She reveals how Zenith became the first fully verticalized watch manufacturer in Switzerland, revolutionizing production methods and challenging traditional approaches. This pioneering spirit helped the brand accumulate an astonishing 2,333 precision awards throughout its history—concrete evidence of their pursuit of the "perfect watch" that inspired the company's celestial name.

The conversation takes us through Zenith's remarkable achievements, including the development of the El Primero, the world's first fully integrated automatic chronograph movement. We learn how a daring act of preservation by watchmaker Charles Vermot—hiding stamps and tools in the factory attic during the quartz crisis—saved this horological treasure for future generations. Bodenmann shares surprising discoveries from the archives, including evidence that Zenith may have pioneered the use of ceramic in watchmaking as early as 1981, years before it became industry standard.

What sets Zenith's approach to heritage apart is their philosophy of never merely copying vintage designs. Instead, they study historical pieces to understand the "why" behind their creation, then reimagine them with modern technologies and subtle design differences that respect both the past and present. This balance between tradition and innovation defines the brand's four distinct collections, from the experimental Defy line to the historically-inspired Chronomaster series.

Want to experience this rich history firsthand? The Zenith manufacture welcomes visitors through UNESCO tours—a rare opportunity to walk through the same buildings where watchmaking history has been made for over a century and continues to evolve today.

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What happens when a frustrated vintage watch collector stumbles upon a forgotten brand with a fascinating cinematic history? Angus McFadden joins us to share how he breathed new life into Alsta, the Swiss-made American watch brand that adorned Richard Dreyfuss's wrist in Jaws and Johnny Depp's in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

McFadden's journey began in 2014 when his frustration with authenticating vintage Rolex pieces led to an unexpected discovery – an Alsta dive watch in a part-exchange bundle. That chance encounter sparked a deep dive into the brand's rich heritage dating back to 1946, culminating in his acquisition of the dormant brand and its relaunch in 2017.

Unlike many revived watch brands that focus solely on recreating the past, McFadden has carefully balanced heritage with innovation. The original Nautiscaff and iconic Super Automatic models have been joined by fresh designs like the Motoscaff, purposefully built for motorcyclists. Throughout our conversation, McFadden's commitment to authenticity shines through – from his customer-centric approach to product development to his refreshingly honest acknowledgment that "nobody needs a watch" in today's smartphone era.

What's particularly fascinating about Alsta is its cultural significance as "the non-obvious choice" – the watch for rebels who value quality and character over flashy brand names. This positioning has attracted a passionate customer base that's 80-90% American, honoring the brand's New York roots. As Alsta approaches its 80th anniversary, McFadden remains focused on sustainable growth through product excellence rather than marketing hype – ensuring this once-forgotten treasure continues to grace the wrists of those who appreciate genuine heritage with modern reliability.

Subscribe now to hear more conversations with the innovative minds reshaping the watch industry and bringing forgotten treasures back to life.

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A century-old American watch brand doesn’t just survive on luck; it survives on purpose. We sit down with Joe Wein, the third‑generation CEO of Hampden Watch, to explore how a family business threaded its way from Chicago’s catalog era to today’s Swiss‑powered precision—without losing what matters most: the stories people carry on their wrists.

Joe opens the vault on a lineage that includes Clinton, Wolbrook, Douglas, and Benrus, revealing how Chicago’s shipping hub and direct‑mail culture shaped the company’s early growth. He shares the quirks that make watch history fun—like Clinton divers sold “packed in water”—and the unexpected brushes with legend, including a Hampton in the Wright Brothers exhibit at the Smithsonian. Then we dive into the modern heartbeat of the brand: personalization with purpose. From laser engraving that cut turnarounds from weeks to days, to the patented case cap that clicks between a sapphire exhibition view and a perfectly aligned engraved canvas, Hampden proves that technology can serve sentiment. Movement lovers get their due with Swiss calibers, while engraving purists get a design concierge to turn vows, coordinates, and family mottos into heirlooms.

Along the way, we talk leadership, legacy, and the realistic future of American watchmaking. Joe reflects on hard calls after 2008, the culture of loyalty that kept multi‑decade employees, and why giving each generation a lane—engineering for him, marketing and PR for his son Dan—builds a stronger house. We also preview Hampden’s hands‑on classroom where you assemble a Unitas‑based manual watch and go home with your initials on the ratchet wheel, turning craft into a personal milestone.

If you care about mechanical watches, personalized engraving, Swiss movements, Chicago watch history, or the rise of meaningful microbrands, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share with a watch‑obsessed friend, and leave a review telling us what you’d engrave on your own heirloom—what story would your watch tell?

Check out Hampden Watches:

https://hampdenwatch.com/

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