Where Time Leaves Its Mark
In 2020, as production of the MIH watch in Lucerne came to an end, industrial designer Christian Gafner was determined to keep it alive by redefining mechanical simplicity. Guided by a passion for purposeful design, he set out to preserve the watch in its original form — maintaining its clean lines and enduring functionality. He sought to continue offering it to connoisseurs who appreciate the essence of minimalism in its purest form.
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2004 – At a Glance
Christian Gafner, an industrial designer with a keen sense for precision and form, was commissioned by Embassy Jewel AG to create a timepiece for the International Watch Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
What began as a sketch evolved, over months of meticulous refinement, into a design that harmoniously blends Swiss tradition with modern clarity. Gafner’s creations always follow an internal logic c every detail is deliberate, every line part of a greater whole. The idea for the two openings in the AM/PM indicator, for instance, arose from his close observation of the day disk – a small yet distinctive hallmark of his design approach.
All radii – from the crown and pushers to the lugs and clasp – originate from a single common center. The clasp itself is particularly well conceived: its recessed pin and subtly offset position on the wrist prevent scratches on surrounding surfaces. The result is a timepiece that unites elegance, technical sophistication, and formal harmony – a work that distills Swiss industrial design to its purest essence.
What else 2004
Sketch: Christian Gafner
2005 Annual calendar launch
In 2005, the MIH Watch was unveiled at the International Watch Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
Situated at the very heart of Switzerland’s watch-making industry, the museum houses an exceptional collection of historical timepieces. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the MIH Watch was allocated to the restoration and preservation of this collection.
With each purchase, collectors not only acquired a finely crafted instrument of time, but also contributed to the safeguarding of horological heritage.
Image: Bea Weinmann
2020 old becomes different
The journey toward its launch was marked by uncertainty, as numerous obstacles threatened to derail the project.
Guided by a clear vision to make this watch accessible to a new generation of enthusiasts and connoisseurs, and driven by tireless dedication, these challenges were ultimately overcome.
This, in turn, paved the way for the Mechanik2.
Rendering: Christian Gafner GmbH
2021 Swiss Made Engineering
In Switzerland, master watchmaker Jérémy Freléchox, renowned for his work with Audemars Piguet and Girard-Perregaux, embarked on a new venture: the redesign of the Mechanik2 watch. Freléchox created also the Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon, a masterpiece of precision and technical brilliance.
This ambitious project was undertaken in collaboration with Christian Gafner GmbH (founded in 2021), work which contributed to the redevelopment and enhancement of the Mechanik2. The subtle redesign by Christian Gafner himself, epitomises a harmonious blend of innovation and fuss-free design.
Photo: Christian Gafner
2022 A Cult Watch Reimagined
In August 2022, mechanik2.com was launched and the Mechanik2 quickly attracted attention. This timepiece, which is produced in various series, serves a niche market.
Many of our customers, both men and women, became aware of the Mechanik2 through word of mouth or are actively looking for specialised mechanical watches.
2022 What else was?
Photo: Mechanik2 customer