Notes on Ondřej Berkus, Czech Watchmaker

Independent Watchmaking: A Year Later with Ondřej Berkus

Introduction

  • The author revisits Czech watchmaker Ondřej Berkus a year after their initial meeting.
  • The visit includes attending the Salon of Exceptional Watches (SEW) in Prague.

The Journey to SEW

  • The author receives an invitation from Ondřej to the Salon of Exceptional Watches (SEW).
  • The author travels to Brno and is picked up by Ondřej in an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
  • Ondřej's passion for cars is highlighted; he owns both a Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio.
  • The author meets @jirivratislav, the photographer behind Ondřej's Instagram content.
  • Ondřej's enthusiasm for visceral experiences, like the sound of a tourbillon or a powerful engine, is noted.

Comparing Then and Now

  • The author reflects on the changes and constants in Ondřej's life over the past year.
  • Ondřej's success has led to a backlog of work and financial security.
  • He exhibits greater pride and self-confidence in his work.
  • Ondřej's exhibition at SEW includes watches with meteorite cases, the Minion 2 tourbillon, a jump-hour watch, a central tourbillon with a toroidal ring made of mammoth tooth and the Black Hole Tourbillon.
  • The author emphasizes the uniqueness and breadth of Ondřej's creations.
  • Ondřej's ability to create complex complications like central tourbillons and sonnerie à passage is highlighted.
  • The waitlist for Ondřej's watches is extensive, surpassing even Rolex.
  • Ondřej has become more selective about his projects, favoring challenging ones.
  • He is currently working on an uber-complication piece for an incredibly fortunate person.
  • Ondřej wears his own Minion 2 watch, featuring flame-blued hands, white-lacquered subdials, a regulator layout, and a tourbillon at 9 o'clock.

Team Expansion

  • Veronika, a skilled finisseur, has joined Ondřej's team.
  • Ondřej's past desire for a finisseur is recalled, as he prefers machining to the repetitive task of finishing.
  • Veronika's background as a jeweler and her training under Philippe Narbel are mentioned.
  • Veronika demonstrates her hand-finishing skills at SEW.

Salon of Exceptional Watches (SEW) Success

  • SEW was a successful event for Ondřej.
  • He had to repeatedly inform people that he was not taking more orders due to the extensive waitlist.
  • His Black Hole Tourbillon won the public's