IWCシャフハウゼン
CHAPTER ONE: THE CONCEPT
“I had a bit more than one day to work on the basic concept of the IWC fidget spinner. My supervisor handed me the project saying that I could present my first findings the day after. I was pretty excited and felt quite honoured because not every apprentice gets to work on a creative project like this. But the time constraints presented some challenges. In the beginning, we played with the idea of integrating the oscillating weight in the IWC fidget spinner or even installing an entire movement. But we quickly let go of these ideas.”
“While doing some research, I was thinking ‘What is it that makes a watch so unique?’ I figured it is the components – such as the delicate gears and cogwheels – and so I started drawing some sketches that eventually helped me design the basic shape and define the positioning of the jewels. After that, my colleagues took over and continued with the fine-tuning.”
“I am fascinated by watches and by the many diverse functions of a movement, which is driven entirely mechanically – without any help from a battery or electricity. Everything in a watch is minuscule, and that itself is impressive to me. So, to conceptualize and combine – in very short time – the fun of an IWC fidget spinner with the technicalities of a mechanical watch featuring as many parts as possible was an exciting and very welcome challenge.”
Arvin Buechi has worked with IWC as an apprentice in construction since summer 2014 and will be finished with his apprenticeship in summer 2018. He loves traveling, especially to Asia and the Philippines, his mother’s native country.
Will it spin?
Watch the video to see the fidget spinner in action.
Check back on this page in the upcoming weeks for more interviews with professionals from IWC’s departments of research & development, construction, design, production, supply management and marketing who were involved in the creation of the IWC Fidget Spinner.