The Journal
MADE TO LAST
Shipping and delivery conditions
MEET MIGUEL SÁNCHEZ, THE FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF CAFÉ LEATHER, AS HE SHARES INSIGHTS FROM HIS JOURNEY, WEARING THE BIG PILOT’S WATCH TOP GUN EDITION “MOJAVE DESERT” IW506003 AND EXPLORING NEW MATERIALS AND FABRICS
Miguel intends to revive old traditions. Since he founded Café Leather, he has always strived to create authentic and soulful products. He draws inspiration from traditions that have historically enabled artisans to take their time and focus on creating products that will last.
Join Miguel as he sets out on a journey to discover new materials. This time, he is travelling all the way to Edinburgh, the home of Waxed Canvas. This incredible sustainable material brings products like bags, watch straps and jackets to life and these precious objects can then be passed down from generation to generation.
— Miguel Sánchez wearing the Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert” Ref. IW506003 on his trip to Dundee, Scotland
IT’S ALL ABOUT TIME
AS PART OF THE IWC FAMILY, WE ALREADY KNOW A BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PROJECTS, SUCH AS CAFÉ LEATHER AND YOUR COLLABORATION WITH THE IWC RACING TEAM, BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR LATEST ENDEAVORS?
Well, you already know how passionate I am about signature IWC materials such as Ceratanium®, Bronze, Titanium and 18-carat Armor Gold. I am truly in love with these raw materials. How they are created, the history behind them and how they can help to invigorate products that will last a lifetime; it’s so fascinating.
This time, I want you to show you one of my favorite materials, besides our Specialty Vegan Leather, “Waxed Canvas”.
SO, WHERE DID YOU TRAVEL THIS TIME? AND CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WAXED CANVAS?
We went to Dundee, a little city not far from Edinburgh in Scotland, and there, I had the chance to visit the artisans working with this amazing material. Getting to know these people, as well as the culture and history behind waxed canvas has really helped me to give an authentic touch to my products.
Back in the 15th century, sailors noticed that their flax canvas sails were able to catch more wind when they were soaked with seawater, but this also weighed down the canvas considerably. They began to slather fish oil and grease onto the sails so that they could catch more wind without weighing them down. They noticed that the grease also made the sails waterproof, and so they began to grease their caps so that rain would simply roll off. They would also take cuts of the used canvas sails to create waterproof clothing such as capes and smocks. A new material was born.
There is always a specific material that fits perfectly with the design and functionality of the product. This is something that has always inspired me about IWC.
PERFECT MATCH BETWEEN MATERIAL AND DESIGN
YOU HAVE A TALENT FOR DISCOVERING UNUSUAL MATERIALS. HOW YOU DO IT?
Research is a constant in my life. I have always been a curious person and I try to keep learning. It really makes you understand that no matter how much you believe that you know something, you really know nothing at all.
As much as you learn or as high as you grow, you just feel that the unknown is always much bigger than that. That feeling motivates me to continuously seek to gain more knowledge, and look for new materials, new suppliers and new artisans. It is also inspires me to create new products.
AND THEN, HOW DO YOU CONNECT THE MATERIAL WITH THE PRODUCT?
Every product (not just the ones I create, but all products), whether it’s a delicious pizza or a watch, requires the best materials to achieve excellence. There is always a specific material that fits perfectly with the design and functionality of the product. This is something that has always inspired me about IWC. How they find new materials that manage to combine functionality and aesthetics.
It’s true that if you dig a bit deeper into the history of the material or the product, you can see that some materials work better than others, and that is what I try to look for. The perfect material for making an excellent product.
— Material meets function: The Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert” Ref. IW506003
Getting to know these people, as well as the culture and history behind waxed canvas has really helped me to give an authentic touch to my products.
— Miguel Sánchez is carrying The Weekender Travel Bag made of vegetable tanned leather and 180Z waxed fabric
— Precisely color-matched throughout, Ref. IW506003 in sand-colored ceramic features a beige rubber strap with textile inlay
MEANT TO LAST A LIFETIME – AND BEYOND
YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT MAKING PRODUCTS TO LAST
Well, this is something that isn’t talked about much when it comes to sustainability. So, let me explain. Back in the days, products were made to last as much as possible. If they broke, you would repair them and continue to use them for years.
Nowadays everything has changed. Products are made with a clear obsolescence, so that you have to buy new products every year or even every 6 months. And when they break or they are not in fashion anymore, you just throw them in the garbage.
I believe that making products to last is definitely the most sustainable way. When you buy something that can last a lifetime, there is no other product that can be more sustainable.
That’s why I always look to connect with brands that follow this same philosophy. It just makes sense.
— Miguel Sánchez is the founder and creative director of Café Leather, a manufacturer of leather products that are hand-made in Ubrique, Spain
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