DR ANDREAS KAUFMANN CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD, LEICA CAMERA AG
With a stellar reputation that’s stood for more than a century, Leica’s cameras and gear are among the most covetable in the world. Last June, the opening of the company’s manufacture for non-camera-related luxury products — the Ernst Leitz Werkstätten, named after Leica’s founder — also saw the launch of its inaugural series of mechanical watches. Available in two models known as the L1 and L2, each watch is fitted with running seconds, a power-reserve indicator and a date complication, with the L2 also featuring GMT and a day/night indicator. To date, the series encompasses models in stainless steel with black and red dials, with the addition of a rose-gold version for the L2 watch.
Dr Andreas Kaufmann, chairman of Leica Camera AG’s supervisory board, and Jérôme Auzanneau, head of its newly formed lifestyle and accessories division, shed light on the company’s decision to zoom in on mechanical watchmaking.
Of all the products in the market, why venture into watches? How
