Next we meet Maël Oberkampf, Founder of Timeless Watches who began with a question: why is an original and attractive design usually associated with a high price tag? Then, thinking about watches, they turned the question around: why are affordable watches generally so insignificant? Why do they so rarely surprise, delight or provide lasting pleasure to their owners?
We hear from Maël about his vision and how he answers these questions in this fascinating interview.
MWM: How is business?
MO: Launching a watch brand at the same time as the start of Covid was both a surprise and a challenge. In the absence of in-person events to present my first collection, I had to rely on social networks by creating quality images and sending watches to reviewers passionate about new brands to make Timeless known. Recently, my boutiques have also allowed me to sell watches, but direct sales from the Timeless-watch.ch website remain the best way at the moment.
MWM: What are you currently working on?
MO: Making the prototypes of my new collection which will appear at the very beginning of 2023, and to find new sales partners via physical and online shops all over the world, where there is interest for micro-brands.
MWM: Tell us something we don’t know about Timeless watches?
MO: The initial project was for a watch with a much more complex movement, but I am saving this project for later, as the mid-range remains my priority at the moment.
MWM: Which watch do you wear?
MO: I only wear my 2 models for promotional purposes but I have always had a great admiration for the Breguet and Zenith brands because of their style and innovation.
MWM: Which watch would you like to own?
MO: A Breguet, Jules Audemars would be a good start, but I would especially like to be able to wear my future watch projects for Timeless, receiving the prototype of your long dreamed project is quite an incredible moment, a bit like the birth of a child!
MWM: What do you like best about the Watch business?
MO: Explaining my project to enthusiasts but also meeting other watch designers to exchange experiences, this allows us to learn, to anticipate and therefore help each other.
MWM: What don’t you like about the Watch business?
MO: The fact that I am constantly seeing new technology and visuals in a space that is ultimately no bigger than a large coin will always surprise me.
MWM: What is next on the horizon for you?
MO: Clearly launching my new collection next year with new dial colours and push towards a moon phase project that is visually original.
Maël Oberkampf is a Friend of MrWatchMaster