Time is a precious commodity. Its value is assessed by how it is spent. The value of a timepiece, however, is determined by a different standard. True value is based upon such factors as accuracy, design, quality, workmanship, reliability and of course, price. For over twenty years, Oscar Waldan has been steadily raising that standard of value by designing and producing complicated, mechanical timepieces parallel in quality to the more famous internationally advertised brands with comparable features. Small wonder Waldan's mechanical timepieces are now prized possessions of discriminating customers and collectors around the world.
Waldan's interest in watches was piqued at an early age when he went with his father to a local watch-maker to have his pocket watch repaired. His father was told the watch would take weeks to repair at quite a substantial price. Having another working watch at home, Waldan's father declined the repair and took the broken pocket watch home. Young Oscar then decided to try to clean and repair the watch himself.
"Without anyone's knowledge, I disassembled the watch and made diagrams showing how the parts fit together. I decided that cleaning a watch meant taking it apart, washing it with soap and water, and putting it back together," says Waldan. "After I cleaned the parts with a brush and soap, I put it back together. But, I had a lot of extra parts left over. Needles to say, the watch did not run, and I became the subject of much ridicule at home."
Although he may laugh about it now, the episode was the turning point in the life of Oscar Waldan.
"I vowed that someday soon, I would learn watchmaking and strive to be the best in the industry," Waldan says.
To achieve his goal, Waldan studied horology in Germany and then went to work for some of the most renowned watchmakers of Europe. "I took my first job at Charles Tissot in Le Locle, Switzerland in 1955. There, I was privileged to work for one of the most famous watch designers in the world," says Waldan.
Waldan proved an apt pupil and an ambitious worker. Soon he was submitting his own watch designs for Charles Tissot. His first creation was the Tissot Navigator, an automatic watch that displayed 24 time zones around the world. Waldan's design was widely accepted because it was attractive and disarmingly simple to read.
In 1959, Waldan joined Universal Geneve as Sales Executive and Vice President of merchandising and styling. He had the opportunity to work with another master designer, Gerald Genta, with whom he developed a special rapport. His new friend helped Waldan further develop his skills as a designer and watch maker.
While in Switzerland, Waldan gained access to the famous Wilsdorf (Rolex) collection. He studied these legendary timepieces with growing affection for their complex design and precision workings.
"This is where I cultivated my interest in antique watches," says Waldan, "especially those with complicated mechanisms."
The world of watchmaking changed dramatically with the introduction of the quartz watch in the early 1970's. Rather than embrace the new technology, Waldan chose to turn back to the mechanical watch.
He decided to make unusual and complicated mechanical watches. He felt that collectors who wanted complicated mechanical watches with special features had to buy old watches which had been used, and possibly abused, for many years. They rarely functioned well. He decided to make new mechanical watches with unusual, but functional features. Therefore, he turned to the chronograph. "At that point in time there had not been a chronograph moon-phase mechanical watch made in Switzerland for about ten years," says Waldan.
The chronograph proved to be a wise choice. In the ensuing years Oscar Waldan has produced several mechanical timepieces that have become coveted by collectors. In a recent review for timezone.com, Mr. Poret offered high praise for his Waldan.
"This watch is an exceptional value in today's markets," writes Poret. "As far as I know there are no other watches that have all the features of the Waldan in this price range. Overall, I highly recommend this watch. In my opinion it is far better value than many of the watches currently sold by big name companies."
Every component of a Waldan International watch is manufactured in Switzerland and selected by Oscar Waldan to ensure top quality. Waldan's mechanical movements are Chronometre certified. Each timepiece includes the original Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometre (COSC) certificate. Waldan uses only screwback water-resistant cases with contoured sapphire crystals. The watches are made of 18K rose gold, white gold or platinum. Waldan offers an exquisite selection of dials and a choice of solid or sapphire backs. Specially fitted 18K gold bracelets and deployment buckles are also standard. Waldan International watches are indeed impressive in thier quality, workmanship and design. Yet, the prices for these phenomenal timepieces range from $4,000 to $9,000, literally thousands less than Waldan's famous name competitors.
How is it that Oscar Waldan can offer such exceptional values on his hand-crafted timepieces? He cites several reasons for his pricing structure: his years of experience in the watch making industry, his extensive knowledge in both the technical and design elements of watchmaking, his knowledge of what constitutes quality in watch components and his ability to recognize trends in the marketplace. Waldan also avoids multiple mark-ups on his watches by owning a facility in Bienne Switzerland and another in New York City. Waldan International employs no sales organization and forgoes the cost of national and international advertising campaigns. Word-of-mouth from collectors and proud owners of Waldan timepieces have proven an effective and cost efficient form of advertising.
"From the beginning, my goal was to offer complicated, mechanical timepieces with exceptional quality and value," says Waldan.
Oscar Waldan has devoted his life to the pursuit of this goal. For those who own and appreciate his Waldan International watches, it has been time well spent.
Please click here for Oscar Waldan's autobiography letter. |
International WristWatch Magazine Issue #42, 2000 (PDF version) |