Thank you

 As said yesterday, I have no doubt we'll succeed. We are not there yet, but this morning we've passed the 10k mark. Your response was both generous and numerous, with 88 supporters responding to the call. A huge tick of approval for a worthy cause. 

Let me remind you of the obvious: remarkable achievements are always the result of a well-organized group effort. We hail individuality, yet when it matters, we still respond collectively, recognising collaboration, communalism and constructive interdependence. A sign of maturity, the Aussie way.

Today, we are not saving lives, endangered species or helping flood or bush fire victims. We do this every day, in one way or another (paying taxes is the best way to support society!). But to watch enthusiasts invest in the future of Australian home-grown horology, is equally important. Let me explain why.

Watchmaking is not an individualistic activity. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it takes a nation to start a watch business. You can count on one hand the nations both advanced, appreciative and capable of fathering and mothering the horological art of micro engineering. There is not really 'an entry level' to a watch brand: unless all the ingredients are there, the 'watch' just does not happen. Quite frankly, the fact that we even exist as a brand is a miracle in itself. Whether we would be able to produce a watch equal to one made in Switzerland or Japan is yet to be seen, but if we can at least create an environment where watchmaking is possible, then our mission will be accomplished.

Skilful and enthusiastic people are crucial, but with no specialist tools and machinery, there will be no watches.

For that reason, we - and that is all of us - must do our absolute best not to miss the opportunities ahead. Letting watchmaking equipment already imported to Australia go back overseas is simply not an option.

A number of supporters requested additional information about the machine we are 'saving' from being exported. Their is a really wonderful video of the machine in action. Before you click away, a quick intro.

Jochen Benzinger is German guilloche master, often referred to as the only German who mastered guilloche. The video is a documentary of a fellow watchmaker visiting Benziger's atelier, asking the master to make him a guilloche dial. There are numerous machines in the workshop, but the first one used to create an 'opening' for the name plate is a 'straight line guilloche machine'. As Benzinger works on the dial, he explains why this technique is special and why it is so difficult to make a perfect dial.

Now, here is the kicker: the machine currently in Australia is a straight-line guilloche machine, and it was imported directly from Benzinger. A master's machine! In beautiful condition, with unparalleled pedigree. Can we really afford to miss the opportunity?

Here is the link to the video, for your enjoyment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFfLWvwN1Bk