We are delighted to continue our MrWatchMaster Meets… series with David Walter, a highly experienced watch and clockmaker, who has been referred to as ‘as one of the greatest living clockmakers’. David is the only clockmaker to have made both versions of the double pendulum clock, namely, the Free Pendulum (D)W5 and the Double Pendulum Resonance Clock.
An independent watchmaker creates a watch that is his vision of what and how he feels a watch should look.” David Walter, Horologist and Founder, David Walter Timepieces
David shares his insights on business and how the development of his new ‘Platinum Watch’ is nearing completion.
MWM: How is business?
DW: Great and it keeps getting better.
MWM: What are you currently working on?
DW: I’m currently completing the Platinum Watch with a new interpretation being planned. We are looking to have the case made of red gold with either a red gold or German silver movement.
MWM: Tell us something we don’t know about David Walter Timepieces?
DW: I am perhaps the only horologist that is successful in making both watches and clocks. As far as I know, there is no other clockmaker who has made a watch and very few watchmakers who have made a clock.
MWM: What watch do you wear?
DW: I am waiting for the Platinum Watch to be finished, so at the moment, nothing. The Platinum prototype will be my “daily driver” once the case is completed.
MWM: Apart from your own brand, what watch would you like to own?
DW: I’ve been inspired by many great horologists, such as Breguet, George Daniels, and F.P. Journe. So it has to be either an F.P. Journe or an A. Lange & Söhne.
MWM: What do you like best about the Watch business?
DW: I particularly like the freedom for creative development of watch movements and styles.
MWM: What don’t you like about the Watch business?
DW: The lack of clarity as to who actually makes which watch and where the components come from.
MWM: What is next on the horizon for you?
DW: A complication incorporating a Wandering moon with sun for the Platinum watch, as I used on my Double Pendulum clock Masterpiece. I’m also planning to move to a new location with a bigger workshop for more tooling and machinery, which is all very exciting.
About David Walter
David has been fascinated with clocks and watches from an early age and after completing many years of training and working with prestigious companies in London and Europe, his sights were set beyond simply repairing modern factory made watches.
When he started his clock and watch making company in 1980, he was already convinced that the making of new clocks matching or bettering the best ever made required creative emotion which arises from a combination of daring and authenticity.
David is also a Friend of MrWatchMaster