It looks like the beginning of the end for traditional watchmaking. Assuming that the technology makes it into the mainstream, the days of hand-tooling, or its production line equivalent, will be gone. Modern developments like the co-axial escapement will look like late-stage tinkering with the steam engine. It really does look that radical.

It will also have an effect on the drive to total in-house manufacture. Not everyone will have the capability for advanced silicon technology, or it will make no economic sense for them to have it. This is an LVMH watch rather than a Zenith. The movement comes from Tag Heuer, the case from Hublot, the assembly from Zenith. Something similar on a larger scale will no doubt happen in the industry at large - a few manufacturers supplying the rest.

True modernity rather than 'craftsman' romance. I might not live to see it but I like it.


https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ze...or-introducing