Unveiling the emerging talent revolutionizing the watchmaking world
Emerging Watchmakers Shine in the World of Independent Craftsmanship
The watchmaking world is abuzz with the emergence of a new generation of talented artisans, and Japan is leading the charge. Hajime Asaoka, a doyen of Japanese independent watchmaking, heads Precision Watch Co. based in Tokyo.
One of the rising stars in the industry is Norifumi Seki, a Tokyo-based watchmaker who founded Quiet Club. Seki's innovative work includes the Fading Hours, a novel alarm complication watch that offers a peaceful alternative to the frantic ringing typical in alarms. He won the F.P. Journe Young Talent Competition in 2020 and has a background in watchmaking that began with a pocket watch featuring a spherical moon phase at the age of 23.
Another prominent name in Chinese contemporary horology is Behrens, a Shenzhen-based brand founded in 2012. Notable models include the Starship and Orion, and especially the Kung Fu, a watch that blends Chinese martial arts inspiration with modern technical mastery. Behrens' Kung Fu model, created with watchmaker Qian Guobiao, has gained high regard in competitions such as the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize.
In addition to Seki and Behrens, other young watchmakers to watch out for include Sylvain Pinaud, Remy Cools, Felipe Pikulik, Daniella Dufour, and Gaku Okada. These talented artists are making waves in the watchmaking world with their innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship.
Remy Cools, a young French watchmaker, recently won a GPHG award last November. His minimalist approach is inspired by Marine chronometers and pocket watch designs. One of his strongest debut creations, the Minute Inerte, was nominated for a GPHG award last year.
Gaku Okada, a 22-year-old graduation student, has also been making headlines. His graduation project, a wrist metronome named 'Tempo Rubato', has gone viral and is the world's first wrist metronome inspired by jazz drumming. Okada's unique creation has been taken on part-time by Hajime Asaoka.
Meanwhile, Simon Brette, a mid-thirties watchmaker, won the 2023 Revelation prize at the GPHG. Brette's debut watch, the Chronomètre Artisans, features a fully in-house manufactured movement and intense detail focus. His evolved rose gold version of the Chronomètre Artisans appeared at the tail end of 2024.
Japan is a fertile breeding ground for new artisans in the watchmaking industry. With events like the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, Dubai Watch Week, and specialized exhibitions such as Milano Watch Week 2025, which focuses on design-forward, independent brands that appeal to younger, culturally literate audiences, these emerging watchmakers are getting the recognition they deserve. Keep an eye on these talented artists for fresh innovation and craftsmanship in watchmaking.
Watchmakers like Remy Cools and Gaku Okada are expanding the horizons of wearable technology with their innovative designs, such as the Minute Inerte and the Tempo Rubato wrist metronome. The world of independent craftsmanship in technology is enriched by these remarkable gadgets.
