An Austrian watchmaker aims to bridge the divide between heritage and modernity: does the Carl Suchy Waltz No. 1 succeed"

By James Buttery

We talk a great deal about modern watch design here at QP – no doubt as a reaction to the proliferation of ?heritage-inspired? models we see week-in and week-out – and ponder how the current era will be viewed in years to come when so many new watches reference previous decades.
Of course the independents tread their own idiosyncratic paths, brands like MB&F, Urwerk and HYT produce unique ? and thoroughly modern – watches but these are esoteric rather than mainstream designs; exceptions rather than the rule.
My own take is that some watch brands leverage their heritage so heavily that they find it difficult to make a break with tradition and say something new. Too many are beholden to the past.
Perhaps it takes a new brand to say new things. Carl Suchy & Söhne is just that despite, rather ironically, taking its name from a 19th Century clock and pocket watch maker with roots in Prague. Rather than attempt to reference the pieces of that time the new company, founded by Austrian entrepreneur Robert Punkenhofer, has wisely given itself some creative freedom and unleased a young team to forge a new identity.
The project was headed up by young Zurich-based Serbian product designer Milo? Ristin, with assistance from Austrian colleague, Reinhard Steger, and AHCI watchmaker, Marc Jenni.
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