For good measure
From sleek and classic to rugged, these watches run the gamut of diverse designs.
WATCH brands come from all backgrounds. They offer designs that speak to different customers, from the sporty and adventurous to urbanites that love a more sleek aesthetic.
Take for example Techne Instruments and William L. 1985. These brands (which in Malaysia, are available exclusively at Habib Group’s Time Zone store) cater to two very different markets.
Yet, they have one thing very similar in common. Both are observed to offer gorgeous watches that are on the forefront of innovation, as well as adhere to impeccable craftsmanship.
William L. 1985 was founded by Guillaume Laidet, a young timepiece aficionado who use to work in the Swiss watch industry. After several years working at some of the most prestigious watchmaking companies, he decided to start his own brand.
His brand aims at offering meaningful collections inspired by a 1950s vintage chronograph that he inherited from his grand-grand-uncle. This family jewel, once restored, caught the eyes of his friends but the price was a deal breaker.
William L. 1985 thus offers classic timepieces but at a more attractive price point. Thanks to his many contacts within the watchmaking industry, Laidet developed a modern and affordable version of his vintage chronograph.
Interestingly, the brand does not hide its Chinese production. Each piece is conceived in Paris and manufactured in Shenzhen, China, enabling William L. 1985 to compete price-wise with other more established brands.
Techne Instruments, on the other hand, celebrates boldness, self reliance and adventure. Its range of different designs comprise
rugged military watches, of which takes their inspiration from fighter planes.
The creative director, Francis Jacquerye, has an unusual background. Born in the Greater Congo, he grew up between Belgium, Canada and Great Britain before working as an industrial designer in Italy, Switzerland and Sweden.
A 2002 mountain climb is said to have helped spurred his determination and adaptiveness. He later went on the successfully launch his first watch design patent on the market.
After that, Jacquerye also completed an apprenticeship in goldsmithing, became a skipper and trained as a watch assembly operator in Geneva. In 2007, he registered the trademark Techne, based on the Ancient Greek word for “technique”.
The first Techne Instruments collection was released in 2009, named in honour of the
Jacquerye’s great-grandfather. Ebua “Sparrow Hawk” was a nobleman and a World War I hero who shared his name with a famous 1930s light fighter biplane that could be deployed to perform reconnaissance.
After the release of the Sparrowhawk watch, other collections continued to be associated with fighter planes named after birds. Each is said to draw inspiration from a different watchmaking era.