R&R – How To Become A Watchmaker with Audemars Piguet

Subscribe to the show on Google, Apple, Spotify and all other podcast players. In what will go on to become the first of a new series, Alex @thewatchregulator interviews Rob @geneva_blue_ about how he started out in rural Australia and went on to become a watchmaker at Audemars Piguet in Switzerland. It's essential listening for anyone thinking about training to become a watchmaker. We start out with Rob's background and his early fascination with watches and how they worked. We discuss the jobs that he did before watchmaking that all left him wanting to do something he was actually passionate about. Then on to his travel to Switzerland where he would meet his future life and the chance noticing of a sign for a even course in watchmaking that would change his life forever. Rob's training with Audemars Piguet and how he made it work as the only Australian in the training. The skills he learned and the old ways of doing things that are still taught today. We talk about his movement from training at Audemars Piguest to working in their after sales service and then him leaving to go and work for Richard Mille. We also get into Rob's passion for both vintage watches and independent watchmaking, plus the friends he has made over the years. Then his return to life in Australia. It's a fascinating story and one of our most popular episodes. SHOW NOTES 02.11 Drinkchecks Gin & Tonic (Alex) Asahi Dry (Rob) 02.45 Wristchecks Tudor Chronograph 79280 (Rob)  & watchless (Alex) 04.58 Rob's Youtube 16.40 Vallée de Joux 17.33 ETA Unitas 6497 movement 18.57 Audemars Piguet 54.09 Tourbillon versus Carrousel 54.44 The Theory of Horology watchmaking book 57.27 Richard Mille 1.10.30 Speake Marin Piccadilly review 1.35.36 Lundis Bleus Follow my guest Rob on Instagram @geneva_blue_ and check out his website genevablue.com.au for more info about what he does. Follow us on Instagram: @FifthWrist Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/fifthwrist Subsribe to our YouTube channel To join our group chat then please email us at contact@fifthwrist.com Please take the time to leave us a review wherever you listen to our podcast. Thank you for all the positive reviews & comments on our episodes. We read and appreciate each one! Fifth Wrist and Fifth Wrist Radio are both community run projects. Designed to serve the watch enthusiast community. We reject all forms of outside watch brand intervention and take no money, watches or goods from watch companies. The future direction of the website and podcasts are driven by the people who take part in this project. To join the action and get involved why not get started by reviewing one of your own watches at fifthwrist.com/write-review The Defining Time Show theme kindly provided by watch enthuisiast @salil808 The Fifth Wrist Podcast Crew record podcast audio using Blue Yeti microphones. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed making it! Thanks to everyone in the Fifth Wrist community who give their time to make this project possible. The hosts, co-host, writers and editors, plus everyone who takes the time to share and promote this project daily. Stay On Time & cheers from Alex @thewatchregulator