How did you get your start at Buben & Zörweg?
Back in 2003, I was working for the luxury brand Fabergé and was responsible for developing an exclusive line of watches. At the time, Buben & Zörweg had supplied the packaging for its line of jewellery and watches. That was when I met with one of the company’s founders, Christian Zörweg, and he asked me to develop a range of table-top watch winders that are still part of the Buben & Zörweg product range today. As our partnership intensified, I decided to sign on as the company’s Head of Design.
What is it that you enjoy most about working at Buben & Zörweg?
The most incredible part of my job is when all the ideas that we have implemented into a particular product work exactly as it is supposed to – such as when the doors of the case open automatically or when the contents within the main body rise up to greet the delighted onlooker. I would describe it as being similar to putting on a grand performance. And once the onlooker decides almost immediately that they want the product that you have designed, it creates this tremendous feeling of satisfaction that you’ve done a good job – which in turn motivates you to want to do even better during the next big project.
What were the challenges that you faced during your career at Buben & Zörweg and how did you overcome them?
At Buben & Zörweg, the challenge has always been to present a functional product as a luxury product. We achieved this by creating multi-functional objets du temps (objects of time) made of high-grade materials paired with elaborately produced finishings in glass, metal and leather. Our product range include humidors, bars, safes and sound systems – and all of these objects are designed to present an electromechanical experience by using kinetic movements coupled with sound and light effects, with the sole purpose being to present a luxury watch collection the way it deserves to be presented.
Tell us about your creative process and where you normally seek your inspirations.
One’s creative process is usually inspired by what one sees, hears, feels, tastes and smells. At Buben & Zörweg, what we want is to arouse emotions through our objects of time. We do this by visualising a product that leaves nothing to be desired while offering a symphony to the senses. We also get our inspirations from other avenues such as luxury vehicles, science fiction or even incredible films such as James Bond. While film producers do avail themselves to these unusual ideas, it is usually just for creating a spectacle on film. But at Buben & Zörweg, we can take these ideas and develop them into actual functional products.
What was the most interesting request that you have ever received from a customer?
It would have to be designing an entire room for housing 1,000 luxury timepieces.
You recently won the Wbiao Design Art Lifetime Achievement Award. How did it feel to receive such a prestigious award?
It gives me a sense of joy and satisfaction in knowing that my developments and products are recognised not just in the watch industry but also around the world.
Do you have any advice for collectors interested in owning a Buben & Zörweg creation?
I would recommend that they choose an object of time that not only fulfils many functions but also serves as a work of art. A good example of this is the Buben & Zörweg Grande Infinity that features a safe certified by the internationally acknowledged German test institution VDS (which in German stands for ‘Trust Through Security’) and also comes complete with our specially developed pendulum clock, the Alpha 01 Pendulum World Time.
