EP-178 - Reviving American Watchmaking with RT Custer of Vortic Watch Company

In this episode, Bela Musits sits down with RT Custer, the founder of Vortic Watch Company, to explore his journey of bringing American watchmaking back to life. Vortic has carved out a unique niche by creating custom, hand-crafted watches that incorporate vintage American pocket watch movements. From humble beginnings to revolutionizing the watch industry, RT shares the challenges, triumphs, and the passion behind crafting high-quality timepieces that celebrate American heritage.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The Origins of Vortic Watch Company:RT explains how Vortic was born from his desire to combine American history with precision craftsmanship. He shares how he and his team revive antique pocket watches to create modern, custom wristwatches.

• The Intersection of Art and Engineering:The process of turning vintage pocket watch movements into functional wristwatches requires a deep understanding of both mechanics and artistry. RT talks about how Vortic has created a unique manufacturing process to preserve the integrity of these historical movements while making them wearable.

• Challenges of American Manufacturing:RT opens up about the difficulties of bringing manufacturing back to the United States, including sourcing materials, creating partnerships with skilled artisans, and maintaining high-quality production standards.

• The Importance of Craftsmanship and Legacy:Discover the philosophy behind Vortic’s commitment to craftsmanship and the importance of preserving American-made watchmaking. RT discusses how Vortic’s watches serve as a tribute to American industrial heritage while providing a modern twist on a timeless tradition.

• The Vortic Customization Experience:Vortic offers customers the opportunity to customize their watches, selecting from a variety of vintage movements and designs. RT describes how the company works with customers to make each watch a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

• Building a Brand and Overcoming Obstacles:Learn about RT's journey as an entrepreneur, the hurdles he faced in growing Vortic, and the importance of staying true to a mission of quality and innovation.

• Vortic Watch Company Website: vorticwatches.com

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We're always on the lookout for interesting guests to feature on our show. If you know someone who has an inspiring story, unique perspective, or valuable expertise to share, please let us know. We're eager to connect with potential guests who can bring fresh insights and engaging conversations to our audience.

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Thanks for listening,

Bela and Mike