At the heart of the Hong Kong Watch Fair, beyond the polished booths and conventional presentations, occur encounters that capture the true spirit of horological art. One such moment was the conversation with Christophe Schaefer, founder of Schaefer & Companions, who embodies a unique and profoundly human philosophy in a world often dominated by technical specifications and marketing.
"My humans through humans for humans."
This phrase, repeated by Schaefer, is not a slogan but the fundamental pillar of his project. In a spontaneous dialogue, he revealed the essence of his brand: he is not a traditional watchmaker, but a gallerist of time.
The Gallerist of Time: The Watch as a Canvas
Schaefer & Companions operates on a radical premise: the watch is simply "a case, a frame." The true work of art is the dial, which acts as the blank canvas entrusted to independent artists.
"It is not my own art. It is their art," Schaefer explains. His role is to curate and facilitate, connecting master artisans and artists with an unusual and challenging medium: a watch dial. The result is a collection where each piece is a unique interpretation, a collaboration that celebrates individual creative freedom.
"I provide the canvas and they create their own work using different techniques... there are different interpretations, and that is exactly what I wanted."
A Glimpse into the Collection: Inspiration from Water and Infinity
During the conversation, Schaefer presented some of these collaborative creations, highlighting two fascinating concepts:Interpretation of Frozen Water:
The first collection was born from inspiration drawn from the frozen waters of Antarctica. The dial captures the subtle light effects and reflection on ice, using cool tones and a texture that evokes glacial depth. A touch of red represents "frozen water," adding dramatic and emotional contrast.
The "Infinity" Dial:
This piece is an exercise in perception and depth. "It's like when you are in a room with many mirrors and you see thousands of your reflections... an infinity mirror," describes Schaefer. The design creates an optical illusion of expanding waves, a hypnotic effect that justifies its name. It is a reminder of how small we are in the universe and, at the same time, of our ability to create beauty.
Renaissance Inspiration "Lunat"
Another dial, called "Lunat," takes the shape of a sun. Its inspiration comes from the Renaissance in France, an era Schaefer associates with artistic freedom and liberation from dogma. This spirit of boundless exploration is what he seeks to infuse into each collaboration.
Beyond the Mechanism: A Human Story
What makes Schaefer & Companions stand out is not just the intricate "great screws" or "top assortment" he mentions, but the human narrative behind each dial. Every watch tells two stories: that of the artist who conceived it and that of the natural or philosophical inspiration that originated it.
"It's not about imposing a design, but about releasing an interpretation," states Schaefer. This approach turns the watch into a conversation piece, a portable work of art that invites personal reflection.
The encounter with Christophe Schaefer underscores the magic of events like the Hong Kong Watch Fair: the opportunity to go beyond the product and connect with the passion of the creators. In a world of mass production, brands like Schaefer & Companions remind us that watchmaking can be a vehicle for art, individuality, and an authentic human connection.
Discover the brand:
📎 Watchdna.com/Schaefer-&-Companions
Discover more about the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair here:
👉 Watchdna.com/HongKong-Fair
