The Master of Mechanical Magic

How Andreas Strehler's passion for a good challenge has led to the most ingenious watches

- Martin Green

In the world of watches, there is a fruitful symbiosis between the larger brands and the smaller independent watchmakers. With their ingenuity and unique capabilities, the watchmakers can help the brands in the research and development of new movements and complications. In return, the increased financial security of such arrangements enables the watchmakers to develop projects of their own. It often results in a sort of dual career, and a perfect example of this is Andreas Strehler.

It was not Strehler’s childhood dream to become a watchmaker, as he liked to spend time with his grandfather in his bakery. While the smell of freshly baked gingerbread played an important role in his childhood, it was the visits to flea markets with his father that would bring him on the road of destiny. As a mechanic with his own taxi, Strehler’s father loved pocket watches, a passion he would pass on to his son. It eventually let Strehler make a bold move and start training as a watchmaker. What made this move bold was that the Quartz Crisis was in full swing, and the future of mechanical watchmaking was gloomy.

After getting his degree from the watchmakers’ school in Solothurn, Switzerland, Strehler was hired by Renaud & Papi, a company best known for its close relationship with Audemars Piguet. As its head prototypist, Strehler further educated himself in movement engineering, but after four years, he went independent. He started restoring old mechanical clocks and watches. As these rarely come with a (repair) manual, it often requires reinventing at least part of the timepiece in order to bring them back to their former glory. This allowed Strehler to hone his skills further and also inspired him to create timepieces of his own.