Our journey into the seldom seen world of behind the scenes independent watchmaking on In The Metal continues in conversation with the creative mind behind some of the most spectacular contemporary timepieces of our time.

As co-founder of movement design and development company Les Ateliers 7H38, Luca Soprana's portfolio of mind-blowing mechanical creations include the extraordinary Astronomia collection for Jacob & Co,  which followed the brand's Epic SF24 with 24 timezones and shutter-style name plates for cities around the world.

Luca is a man who continually emphasises his philosophy of the importance of having a great team around him, and in this episode he takes us into his world, and talks us through the genesis, development and realisation of his profoundly beautiful horological masterpieces.

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If you're not yet familiar, In The Metal is the inside scoop on the very best of independent watchmaking, and is brought to you each week by @irishwatchguy Johnny McElherron of The Watch Press, and the legend who is the former lead guitarist with thrash metal icons Anthrax, and now present day Master of Complications and the vanguard for US independent watchmaking, Mr Dan Spitz.

Each week we take an informal, behind the scenes look at the fascinating world of independent watchmaking, and take you on a journey beyond the façade and into the lesser-seen and secretive corners of the watchmaker's atelier, where we are joined live and direct by the very finest artisans and masters of this centuries-old art form, where a true and traditional heart continues to beat.

If you appreciate an in-house, hand finished insight into the extraordinary world of independent watchmaking, then make sure you are signed up and subscribed to In The Metal, because we are the only backstage, access all areas, heavy metal watch show.

In The Metal is evolving into something genuinely special, and it offers a unique atelier-side insight into the lives, work, tools and techniques of the world's best independent watchmakers.

If you enjoy it too, and want to support us, then please do spread the word. Subscribe to our channel here on YouTube, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and make sure you don't miss an episode.

https://www.inthemetalpodcast.com
https://www.danspitz.com
https://www.thewatchpress.com

In this episode of In The Metal, we welcome a true a force of nature who literally emits strange and colourful fire out of his fingertips, and whose work lights up contemporary independent watchmaking.

A sorcerer, an alchemist and a master of the mysterious art of illumination, James Thompson is the creative energy behind the Black Badger Advanced Composites lab in Göteborg, where rumour has it, if you happen to be passing by on these dark winter evenings, strange glowing colours can be seen trying to burst free through the cracks in the doors and between the roof tiles.

With collaborations which range from MB&F, Sarpaneva, Schofield, TAG Heuer, Zenith, MW&Co, De Bethune and just this week the insane Linde Werdelin x Black Badger Oktopus Blue Sea, James has seen a few things over the last ten years, and we go behind the scenes at the Badger's Den to see if we can discover the source of his glowing Super-LumiNova spark.
           
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If you're not yet familiar, In The Metal is the inside scoop on the very best of independent watchmaking, and is brought to you each week by @irishwatchguy Johnny McElherron of The Watch Press, and the legend who is the former lead guitarist with thrash metal icons Anthrax, and now present day Master of Complications and the vanguard for US independent watchmaking, Mr Dan Spitz.

Each week we take an informal, behind the scenes look at the fascinating world of independent watchmaking, and take you on a journey beyond the façade and into the lesser-seen and secretive corners of the watchmaker's atelier, where we are joined live and direct by the very finest artisans and masters of this centuries-old art form, where a true and traditional heart continues to beat.

If you appreciate an in-house, hand finished insight into the extraordinary world of independent watchmaking, then make sure you are signed up and subscribed to In The Metal, because we are the only backstage, access all areas, heavy metal watch show.

If you enjoy it too, and want to support us, then please do spread the word. Subscribe to our channel here on YouTube, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and make sure you don't miss an episode.

https://www.inthemetalpodcast.com
https://www.danspitz.com
https://www.thewatchpress.com
https://www.blackbadger.se

Fresh off the back of a triumphant success at the 2020 GPHG watchmaking 'Oscars' ceremony in Geneva, bagging not one but two cherished GPHG Aiguille awards for Best Chronograph, with the Streamliner Flyback Chronograph, and the Audacity award for the outrageous Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon, we are joined by the suave and charming CEO of H. Moser & Cie, Edouard Meylan.

Renowned for its immaculate minimalist styling, the H. Moser timepiece is defined by a classic and refined profile, beautiful fumé dials, and of course a level of technical innovation which continues to push the parameters of uncompromising in-house Haute Horlogerie to new levels.

There's also a wonderfully mischievous side to the Schaffhausen-based indie company too which is unique in the industry, and whether making a statement about what defines Swiss watchmaking, or reminding electronics corporations of their place, or even having a little fun at the expense of some of the established Grandes Marques, Edouard Meylan does not shy away from expressing his personal observations on the state of watchmaking current affairs, using his brand as a vehicle to capture the headlines.

Little wonder then that this master of the marketing coup has seen this historic brand rise from the ashes in under ten years, to establish itself as one of the very coolest and non-conformist names in contemporary independent horology, picking up the baton and taking with it the prestige and pride of 100% Swiss Made traditional watchmaking.

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If you're not yet familiar, In The Metal is the inside scoop on the very best of independent watchmaking, and is brought to you each week by @irishwatchguy Johnny McElherron of The Watch Press, and the legend who is the former lead guitarist with thrash metal icons Anthrax, and now present day Master of Complications and the vanguard for US independent watchmaking, Mr Dan Spitz.

If you appreciate an in-house, hand finished insight into the extraordinary world of independent watchmaking, then make sure you are signed up and subscribed to In The Metal, because we are the only backstage, access all areas, heavy metal watch show.

https://www.inthemetalpodcast.com
https://www.danspitz.com
https://www.thewatchpress.com
https://www.h-moser.com

As we continue our journey across the fascinating and diverse landscape of independent watchmaking, we are joined for this edition of In The Metal by Maximilian Büsser of MB&F for a retrospective tribute to this most pioneering of watch companies.

A truly dynamic ball of energy and charisma, whose personal philosophical mantra reminds us that 'a creative adult is a child who survived', Max is a cool-headed visionary who has never permitted the perceived limitations of conventional design or technical possibilities to stand in the way of his extraordinary MB&F horologic creations; time machines which have become defining icons of contemporary independent watchmaking.

The coolest gang in Watchville, MB&F has evolved as a collective of watchmaking's finest innovators and problem solvers, who have thrived in an environment of unfiltered creativity, and worked with an uncompromising eye for aesthetic detail within a uniquely structured design and manufacturing concept which exists to defy convention

Enjoy this look back at the MB&F story  so far, as Johnny and Dan welcome the mastermind who has been one of the key figures in elevating the world of independent watchmaking to a mainstream audience.

If you're not yet familiar, In The Metal is the inside scoop on the very best of independent watchmaking, and is brought to you each week by @irishwatchguy Johnny McElherron of The Watch Press, and the legend who is the former lead guitarist with thrash metal icons Anthrax, and now present day Master of Complications and the vanguard for US independent watchmaking, Mr Dan Spitz.

Each week we take an informal, behind the scenes look at the fascinating world of independent watchmaking, and take you on a journey beyond the façade and into the lesser-seen and secretive corners of the watchmaker's atelier, where we are joined live and direct by the very finest artisans and masters of this centuries-old art form, where a true and traditional heart continues to beat.

If you appreciate an in-house, hand finished insight into the world of independent watchmaking, then make sure you are signed up and subscribed to In The Metal, because we are the only backstage, access all areas, heavy metal watch show.

If you enjoy it too, and want to support us, then please do spread the word, and subscribe to our channel here on YouTube, so you don't miss an episode.

https://www.inthemetalpodcast.com
https://www.danspitz.com
https://www.thewatchpress.com
https://www.mbandf.com

In The Metal is back for another access all areas episode, and if you're a fan of MB&F then this really is one not to miss!

In the first of a double bill of MB&F specials this week, we are joined by one of the most elusive figures in the world of independent watchmaking.

While Stephen McDonnell's name is known to collectors and MB&F fans all around the world, thanks to his jawdropping reinvention of the perpetual calendar, or the breathtaking beauty of his split escapement, the man himself is much more of a creature of the shadows, and not one for the spotlight.

In the week that MB&F launched its insane LMP EVO which has sold out in just three days, we will be going live to talk with the man behind the beating heart of these extraordinary time machines.

This one has required all of our powers of persuasion, but we are delighted and excited to welcome the fantastic, the wonderful Stephen McDonnell to In The Metal.

In this episode In The Metal whisks you off to the magnificent city of Budapest, capital of Hungary, and into the atelier of one of the world's finest independent master watchmakers where we find Aaron Becsei who joins us for an exclusive look into his world of invention and creativity.

A long standing member of independent watchmaking's revered, invitation-only institution, the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants  (AHCI), Aaron is a watchmaker who does things in his own unique way, creating pieces of profound beauty, intricacy and complexity, for which he is renowned and respected around the world.

One of the few who keep alive the traditional techniques and disciplines which have been passed down through three centuries of watchmaking, as well as from his own father and grandfather before him, each one of Aaron's watches are spectacular and individually unique, as befits a hand crafted masterpiece of one of the rarest and most complex forms of art.

If you're not yet familiar, In The Metal is the inside scoop on the very best of independent watchmaking, and is brought to you each week by @irishwatchguy Johnny McElherron of The Watch Press, and the legend who is the former lead guitarist with thrash metal icons Anthrax, and now present day Master of Complications and the vanguard for US independent watchmaking, Mr Dan Spitz.

Each week we take an informal, behind the scenes look at the fascinating world of independent watchmaking, and take you on a journey beyond the façade and into the lesser-seen and secretive corners of the watchmaker's atelier, where we are joined live and direct by the very finest artisans and masters of this centuries-old art form, where a true and traditional heart continues to beat.

If you appreciate an in-house, hand finished insight into the extraordinary world of independent watchmaking, then make sure you are signed up and subscribed to In The Metal, because we are the only backstage, access all areas, heavy metal watch show.

In The Metal is evolving into something genuinely special, and it offers a unique atelier-side insight into the lives, work, tools and techniques of the world's best independent watchmakers.

If you enjoy it too, and want to support us, then please do spread the word, and subscribe to our channel here on YouTube, so you don't miss an episode.

https://www.inthemetalpodcast.com
https://www.danspitz.com
https://www.thewatchpress.com
https://www.bexei.hu

A man whose accomplishments are way too numerous to attempt to list here, Andreas Strehler is unquestionably one of the greats of contemporary independent haute horlogerie.

A Guinness World Record holder for a moon indication which is accurate to one single day in 2,060,000 (yes, more than two million) years, his resumé as a scientist, a mathematician, a problem solver, innovator, inventor and all round human dynamo is truly without equal.

On his own, Andreas is a creator of exquisite horologic masterpieces of uncompromising detail, beauty and technical complexity.

Through his specialist movements lab Uhrteil AG he has also had a direct involvement in the design, concept development and ultimate realisation of many of the most astonishing timepieces of our time, and without his genius mind, few would ever have seen the light of day.

In this episode of In The Metal, Johnny and Dan are joined by a Dutch watchmaker who epitomises the spirit of independent watchmaking. Armed only with the experience of a couple of part time foundation courses in watch school, Machiel Hulsman decided to turn his back on a successful career in banking and IT and embark on a new life, with a single minded objective of creating his own watch.

This romantic idea soon turned into a voyage of discovery, but what he has achieved and continues to improve upon is nothing short of remarkable. His commitment to creating as much of his watch as is physically possible, in house and on his own, and including the daunting challenge of designing and manufacturing his own proprietary escapement, means he has already surpassed the point which would satisfy any connoisseur collector of independent haute horlogerie, and beyond too where most watchmakers would dare to venture.

To quantify the significance of this true artisan watchmaker, when no less an authority than Frank Geelen, founder of Monochrome, wrote about Machiel Hulsman, he compared him to the living legend Roger W Smith.

Compliments do not come higher than that, and we are delighted to bring another master of independent watchmaking into the spotlight for a conversation.

Each week In The Metal takes a look beyond the façade and into the lesser-seen corners of independent watchmaking, where the true heart of this centuries-old craft beats.

If you're not yet familiar, In The Metal is your inside scoop on the very best of independent watchmaking, which is brought to you by @irishwatchguy Johnny McElherron of TheWatchPress.com and the legend who is the former lead guitarist with thrash metal icons Anthrax, and now present day Master of Complications and the vanguard for US independent watchmaking, Mr Dan Spitz. is a video/audio stream/broadcast/podcast which takes an informal, behind the scenes look at the fascinating world of independent watchmaking.

If you appreciate an in-house, hand finished insight into the extraordinary world of independent watchmaking, then make sure you are signed up and subscribed to In The Metal, because we are the only backstage, access all areas, heavy metal watch show.

If you enjoy what we're doing, and want to support us, please subscribe to our channel here on YouTube, so you don't miss an episode.

https://www.inthemetalpodcast.com
https://www.danspitz.com
https://www.thewatchpress.com
https://www.hulsman-timepieces.com