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K ees Engelbarts, holandés radicado en Ginebra, crea relojes únicos, para gente que busca “ algo diferente” , y sólo manufactura unas pocas piezas al año, utilizando únicamente los mejores materiales y movimientos
K ees Engelbarts, a Dutchman who makes his home in Geneva, is the maker of unique watches for people looking for “ something different” , and he only makes a few pieces a year, using only the very best materials and movements.
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ees Engelbarts es un creador holandés radicado en Ginebra, Suiza, especialista en la manufactura de relojes, a los cuales otorga la magia de su desmedida imaginación utilizando una antigua técnica japonesa llamada “Mokume Gane”, que literalmente significa “metal de buen grano”. Kees Engelbarts, que inicialmente fue un experto grabador a mano, es inclusive hoy comisionado por varias marcas relojeras suizas de alta gama para que grabe sus diales, movimientos, cajas, etc. En 1997, Kees decidió crear sus propios relojes. “¿Por qué un reloj —razonó—debe llevar la marca del fabricante (el técnico) si lo más importante
ees Engelbarts is a Dutch creator who lives in Geneva, Switzerland and who specializes in manufacturing watches to which he adds a touch of the magic that his prodigious imagination conjures up, making use of an ancient Japanese technique called “Mokume Gane”, which literally means “metal of good grain”. Kees Engelbarts, who began initially as an expert hand engraver, is, even today, commissioned by several high- end Swiss watch trademarks to engrave the dials, movements, cases and other parts of their watches. In 1997, Kees decided to create his own watches. “Why,” he reasoned,
es su aspecto estético, el dial grabado o el movimiento bellamente decorado? ¿No sería más lógico ponerle al reloj el nombre de su creador?”. El razonamiento resultó correcto: Kees Engelbarts crea relojes únicos, para gente que busca “algo diferente”, y sólo manufactura unas pocas piezas al año, usando únicamente los mejores materiales y movimientos (mayormente el “nuevo viejo stock” de las décadas de 1950, 1960 y 1970). Y ofrece un servicio al cliente tras la compra, ya que posee movimientos de repuesto para cada reloj que manufactura. Quien observe detenidamente un reloj de Kees Engelbarts no dudará que ha sido hecho a mano con pasión y amor. Porque, como sostiene Engelbarts, “hecho a mano” no es sólo una frase publicitaria.
“should a watch carry the trademark of its (technical) manufacturer, when its most important feature is its aesthetic appearance, its engraved dial or its beautifully decorated movement? Wouldn’t it be more logical to put the name of the watch’s creator on it?” And his reasoning was apparently correct: Today Kees Engelbarts creates unique watches for people looking for “something different”, and he only makes a few pieces a year, using only the very best materials and movements (mostly culled from “new old stock” from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s). He also offers post-sale service to his clients, since he has a stock of spare movements for each and every watch that he makes. Anyone taking a close look at a Kees Engelbarts watch can have no doubt that it is handmade with passion and love. Because, as Engelbarts himself says, “handmade” isn’t just an advertising ploy.
Fotos: gentileza Kees Engelbarts. www.kees.ch
Photos: Courtesy of Kees Engelbarts. www.kees.ch