In a watchmaking world dominated by the obsession with wristwatches, sports, connected or ultra-complications, few are the houses that dare to venture into such a unique field as that of the pocket watch. Aerowatch, faithful to its philosophy, takes this bold gamble and unveils for the end of the year the "Tornado", a timepiece that combines centuries-old heritage and disruptive modernity.
When tradition reinvents itself
Placing the Tornado in your hand is like experiencing a mixture of paradoxical sensations. The reassuring weight of the satin-finished steel case 48 mm evokes the nobility of classic pocket watches, those that accompanied gentlemen of yesteryear. But at a glance, we understand that this piece does not seek to reproduce the past. It revisits it, even deconstructs it, to offer a resolutely contemporary object.
The gaze is immediately caught by the transparency provided by the two sapphire crystals. Through these openings, the mechanics have nothing to hide: the barrel spring under full tension, the rotating cogs, the hypnotic alternations of the balance wheel. Everything is visible, everything is offered to the eye. Here, the dial is no longer a veil, but a theater stage where the poetry of time is played out.
Le Unitas 6498 mechanical movement, known for its robustness and generous proportions, takes on a new look thanks to an exclusive decor, called "Tornado". Taut lines, graphic architecture: the mechanics become an aesthetic work. Every watch enthusiast will find something to contemplate, almost as if watching a sculpture in motion.
A pocket watch designed for today
But Aerowatch didn't just think about the show. It wanted a watch. functional, lively and practical, up to contemporary uses. The Tornado therefore displays a 30 meter waterproofness, a rare feat in this category, which allows it to accompany its owner without fear. Its hands and indexes coated with Super-LumiNova guarantee perfect readability day and night.
It is this attention to real-life use that distinguishes the Tornado from a mere stylistic exercise. Far from being a fixed object, designed solely for shop windows, it is designed to be worn, handled, and experienced. A pocket watch that dialogues with the present, and invites us to rediscover a forgotten gesture: taking out our watch from his pocket, grab it, and take the time to contemplate.
The origins of Aerowatch: the pioneering spirit of 1910
To understand the Tornado, we must go back to the origins of Aerowatch, in 1910, in La Chaux-de-Fonds. At the time, the city was considered the Swiss "watchmaking metropolis", a true laboratory of creativity where artisans, engineers and entrepreneurs rubbed shoulders. This is where the small company specializing in the manufacture of pocket watches and pendants was born.
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1910: Birth in La Chaux-de-Fonds
Aerowatch was founded in the world capital of watchmaking, La Chaux-de-Fonds. From the outset, the company chose a unique positioning: it specialized in the manufacture of pocket watches and pendants, while many brands are already starting to switch to wristwatches. This voluntary choice marks the foundation of the brand's identity. -
Decades of consolidation
Throughout the 20th century, Aerowatch remained true to its independence and focused on the artisanal mastery of the pocket watch. These timepieces, objects of elegance and refinement, appealed to both lovers of tradition and foreign markets where the pocket watch retained its iconic status. -
End of the 20th century: transmission and renewal
The brand passed into the hands of the Crevoisier family, who breathed new life into it. The artisanal know-how was preserved, but Aerowatch adopted a forward-looking vision, incorporating a more modern design and diversifying its collections. The relocation of the workshops to Saignelégier, in the Swiss Jura, seals an even stronger anchoring with the cradle of Swiss watchmaking. -
21st century: between heritage and innovation
Aerowatch is gaining international recognition with collections that reinterpret its DNA. Heritage line celebrates tradition with classic timepieces. The Renaissance explores the skeleton with audacity and modernity. women's collections, enriched with mother-of-pearl and diamonds, are attracting a new audience. Through these creations, Aerowatch demonstrates that it knows how to remain faithful to its origins while speaking to contemporary generations.
If Aerowatch has managed to survive more than a century without becoming diluted, it is largely thanks to the passion and commitment of the Crevoisier family, who now runs the house. At its head, Denis Bolzli-Crevoisier (CEO) and his family have taken up the torch, instilling a subtle balance between loyalty to heritage and a spirit of innovation. Under their leadership, Aerowatch has consolidated its international presence while remaining deeply rooted in the Swiss Jura region.
The Crevoisier family embodies a simple but demanding philosophy: to produce timepieces with character, accessible in their quality-price ratio, but carrying a watchmaking authenticity undeniable. Their vision is based on a clear credo: to bring the pocket watch to life, not as a museum relic, but as an object to be rediscovered, reinvented, and passed on. This conviction is evident in each creation, and especially in the Tornado, which reflects both the heritage of 1910 and the audacity of an independent family house in the XNUMXst century.
This timeline highlights one essential fact: Aerowatch has never given in to the temptation of standardizationIt has built its reputation on a self-confessed singularity: bringing the pocket watch to life in the 21st century. The Tornado is not an exception, but the culmination of this guiding principle.
Aerowatch today: between heritage and creativity
This loyalty to its origins is expressed in the house's emblematic collections. " Legacy " pays homage to classic timepieces with a refinement that will appeal to purists. The "Rebirth" explores the watch skeleton in a contemporary aesthetic, transforming each movement into a mechanical tableau. Finally, the women's collections, often enriched with mother-of-pearl and diamonds, reflect Aerowatch's desire to combine expertise and timeless elegance.
The Tornado joins this lineage. It embodies the company's philosophy: reinventing ancient gestures to re-anchor them in the present. A pocket watch, certainly, but designed with the same high standards and contemporary vision as wristwatches.
Tornado: the object of a generation of collectors?
The Tornado isn't for everyone. It appeals primarily to connoisseurs, those who appreciate originality, who seek out pieces with character rather than yet another sporty or vintage version. It also appeals to a new generation of collectors, who want watches with a strong identity, capable of telling a different story.
Because the Tornado tells a lot. It speaks of Aerowatch's loyalty to its roots, but also its ability to surprise. It illustrates that the pocket watch, far from being a relic, can become a design testing groundFinally, she points out that in watchmaking, innovation does not lie solely in complications or high-tech materials, but also in the reinvention of gestures and uses.
Conclusion: a hurricane of modernity in a centuries-old box
The Tornado is more than just a contemporary pocket watch. It's a statement. It proclaims that watchmaking isn't just about following trends, but can also resurrect forgotten traditions and give them new relevance.
With this model, Aerowatch confirms its role as independent and visionary watchmaking house, capable of surprising and moving. The Tornado is already shaping up to be a landmark piece, a symbol of Jura creativity and a future classic for collectors looking for originality.
Patrick Koune
