Time Pieces – Prologue
All that I know about Moritz Grossmann in 24 chapters
My watch credentials are pretty weak.
Three years ago, I didn’t know a Patek Philippe from a Richard Mille or a Timex from a Greubel Forsey.
I owned and wore (everywhere) a quartz Ebel that I bought thirty years ago duty free in Miami airport for about $1,500. I also had my dad’s old Navy issue WWII Omega stuck in drawer somewhere, but never wore it and didn’t appreciate it.
Today I own five hand made pieces of German watchmaking mastery. I was introduced by a skiing pal to Moritz Grossmann and fell for their work, their people and their watches hook, line and sinker.
I’m now their agent. I’ve got a calling to share what I know about these amazing timepieces in six sections – outlined below.
Fair warning – it gets expensive. I’d love to help you spend wisely.
1 Diving In – crash course in watchmaking
a. Hypnosis – Glashütte pilgrimage
b. Genesis – no Grossmann, no Glashütte
c. Pardon – learning German
d. Prototype – designing the first BENU
2 Circling the Drain – becoming enchanted
a. Genius – meet the watchmakers
b. Hook – “you’re lending me what?”
c. Line – hands like no others
d. Sinker – when a watch becomes your friend
3 Down the Rabbit Hole – building a collection
a. Initiation – lucky watch
b. Double-down – I told you: hands like no others
c. Surprise – small watch, big personality
d. Guilt – you need a bit of blue
e. Legacy – the antique pocket watch for your wrist
4 Exceptional as Standard – stories of unique watch design
a. Organic – whose hair would you use?
b. Bootleg – where’s the rotor?
c. Clever – solving the manicure problem
d. Asymmetry – the long dark night of the designer
5 Being Seen – marketing a niche brand on a small budget
a. Humanity – the amazing Only Watch
b. Splash – Christie’s NYC collection
c. Watchfam – showing some appreciation
d. Travelling – days out with the collection
6 Choices, Choices – settling on the right watch
a. Imagine – new pieces to die for
b. Haute-couture – watches with attitude
c. Temptation – build your own watch
Where it started: my watch collection as of December 2016
Where it gets to: how I spend my mornings – April 2020