The MAN Who Makes Beautiful Watches

Pforzheim, Germany is home to many respected watchmakers. However, the art and artisanal craft of watchmaking has almost been lost over the years. But there's this one local guy who's been around since the 1970s. He sits down quietly and peacefully behind his tools and begins to create objects of beauty for the watch world. Something that Johann has become a master of over the decades. And spending time with him and observing him as he works at his craft, his expertise and knowledge is the first thing that you encounter. He doesn't say much, but then again, he doesn't have to. You see, the subtle confidence in his hand movements and the fine adjustments using his age-old tools speak louder than words. Welcome to the world of Johann Benzinger. Let's dive in. Spending any decent amount of time in this place, you quickly get drawn into Johann's world. A world where time itself seems to slow down and almost disappear altogether. You begin to admire and get an appreciation of the intricacy of the designs. The patterns that are possible when one sits down and allows his creativity and skill set to lead the way. For a craftsman that's been around since the 1970s, every year that goes by he only gets better and better and better. There are specific finishing techniques done by hand that Johann himself seems to be able to accomplish with the same ease that many of us compare to writing on a piece of paper or engaging in a simple conversation. It's almost second nature to him. Finishing skills such as bevelling or engraving, gear shape patterns, skeletonisation of a movement or a watch dial, the list goes on. In fact, standing here in this place, you get a sense of gratification without even personally handling any of his tools. Just from mere observation. The first thing you encounter is the visual and audible sensations. That sound. That slow meticulous grind. The sound of a tool carving out something that for the time being only exists in Johann's mind. The smell, the oils, the lubricants, the gears and cogs all working together reliably and precisely year after year. When the world outside this place is heading towards automation, CNC machinery, computer aided designs and almost the complete deletion of human personal touch in the manufacture of watches, it's a breath of fresh air to be able to walk into a place like this. A safe space, dare I say a step back in time. It's a place where a well-established watchmaker with years of expertise quietly goes about his day making the things he loves. Looking at this man, I see an independent horologist who has found something that resonates with his inner being. If you've never heard of Johann Benzinger, there's a high chance that you've seen some of his work around the world. There's a reason why we connect with certain individuals and their lifestyle. We seem to resonate with them. We have something in common. I'm sure everyone has met a few people in their lives that they find that they can truly relate with. They understand and fully appreciate the things that they do, how they do them, why they do them, and the way they accomplish the the final result. When I stop and look at Johann Benzinger, I see old school. Old school techniques. Something real. Something beautiful and the most simplified methodology. Because none of the tools that are in this place are plugged into any wall socket. They're not run by electricity. The only external source of power used in order to make these tools work is the craftsman's own hands and feet. Sometimes he might need to switch a light or a lamp on and that's when the electricity comes on. Or maybe just to use the coffee machine. And he's got a Swiss one at that. Now, we've all heard the saying, there's a difference between expectations and results. And for me personally, I knew a little bit about Johann and his life and what he produces. In fact, I photographed one of his watches professionally a few years ago. And having the watch in my hand, I found it to be intricate, detailed, beautiful to handle and amazing light play from the finishing. However, my expectations of actually meeting this man, the man behind the watches, was completely different from what I thought. I was extremely humbled, to say the least. We imagine somebody in a suit, business-like, professional, outspoken and driven, and yet I met a man that was so grounded, so down to earth, and so real. It was a refreshing change of pace, and a joy to be in this place. But in saying all that, Johan is a man who also possesses all these qualities. He wasn't dressed up in a suit, on the contrary, a simple t-shirt and pants, but he was relaxed. He appeared as a man in his natural environment, in his home, a place that he himself created. Now, as far as being outspoken and a driven individual, what I saw was a shy, reserved, and extremely humble man. And after spending time and observing him, he's very outspoken, but not by his mouth, by the stuff that he creates. His work speaks for itself. Is he driven? Absolutely. The clientele list that has commissioned him over the years testifies of his drive and passion. Brands like IWC, Moritz Grossmann, Glashütte Original and the list goes on and on. In fact at one stage when we were liaising, he showed me this center console from a car. It was from a Bugatti Chiron and he was creating a design in the metalwork. And he mentioned to me that the car was from a famous footballer. Soccer player and I said to him was it CR7 just by joke you know Cristiano Ronaldo and he said yeah that's him. I marvel at the clientele list and also the humility of this man because I saw work pieces and drawings from past and present jobs and it was like walking into a library and a museum of sorts. Countless designs of past and present projects. Johan himself started his career and training in 1978 at the Forzheim Goldsmith School. He studied decorative jewellery techniques. Watchmaking and the skill set associated with watches came much later on. As he was exceptional at gear-shaped finishing, he was commissioned to make gear-shaped patterns on Fabergé's famous eggs. And over time, his experience in fine jewellery techniques allowed him to venture into the realm of engraving and skeletonisation of watch dials and movements. And watching this man work, his professionalism comes through his mere presence. The way he carries himself in his surroundings. One thing I can say is that he's not a pretentious man. He knows his craft, and he knows it extremely well. And although he's well-spoken and knowledgeable, his words are few and well-chosen. Now turning my attention to his tools, or what look like machines, originally this was named the Royal Craft, because the history of the rose engine dates back many centuries. Royalty used these types of machines for turning wood and creating artful pieces. Johann showed me a book with rose engines dating back to the 1700s, and in the evening a king would settle down with his rose engine and turn wood, pass the time and create something special. The women would also create in similar fashion with the art of needlework and sewing. This was a time when people made things with their hands the traditional artisan way. The overwhelming feeling one gets from being surrounded by the tools of a master craftsman and the master craftsman himself is very real and sobering to say the least. And to say this was a humbling experience is a gross understatement. Myself personally coming from a background studying mechanical engineering Using machinery and tools in an environment that was perfumed with the aroma of oils and lubricants and engine parts, spending the day with Johan and his wife Stephanie, brought back so many fond memories of my youth. I got to witness the craft of a man mastering his machines. The most honest, real, raw state of a machine that I can no longer classify as a machine, but as a tool. A tool that requires a skilled operator to make it work. This was an absolute delight to see first hand and pure joy. What I experienced and what I saw in this place, to put it simply, was a man living his life. Over the years there were struggles, persistence, long suffering, dedication, a loving wife by his side and a workplace that was tranquil and calm. A place where one can have time to reflect and create. A place to think. This was a really nice space. Looking closer at the tools used in creating Johan's work, the parts where his hands come into contact have become polished from the constant use over time. That's years of wear and tear from his hands on the metal brass, smooth to the feel and strangely calming on the eyes. One can only try to describe the place and the emotive feelings. Gentle noises, quiet ratcheting of a geared system being turned. There's great contentment in the heart observing these things. Just being in this place and this time, looking at a skilled tradesman flourishing in his element. An absolute marvel to watch. I then understood him more clearly and got some genuine perspective because Johan loves what he does. A man told me a long time ago, find something that you really enjoy and do it for a career, then you'll never work a day in your life. I think Johan has never really worked a day in his life. On the contrary, he seems to be a man who's been blessed to follow a path that's been rewarding and fulfilling in more ways than one. Not only being able to put food on his table, but also self-gratification. That content feeling that one gets, being able to meet any challenge and achieve the results that are initially in his thoughts and in his head. Words can't begin to describe the satisfaction and the sense of pride. And this, coming from an extremely humble individual, this is Johan Benziger's world and his life. And I'm grateful to have seen what I've seen, felt what I've felt, and experienced something very unique. Thank you for watching.