Professor Oechslin

Dr. Ludwig Oechslin is the man who translated Rolf Schnyder’s vision of an astrolabe on the wrist into the acclaimed Astrolabium Galileo Galilei. He is the creator of the other Trilogy of Time masterpieces, the Tellurium Johannas Kepler and the Planetarium Copernicus. He designed the watch that bears his name, the Perpetual Ludwig, the only perpetual calender watch which can be set forward or backward using only the winding crown. Dr. Oechslin is truly one of the brightest lights in the world of Swiss watchmaking.

Ludwig Oechslin was born in the small Italian village of Gabicce Mare in 1952. He studied philosophy, archeology, ancient history, astronomy, theoretical physics and Greek at the Universities of Basel and Berne. Though  fascinated by the classical world and science, Oechslin also exhibited a passion and natural ability for micro-mechanics. It is said Oechslin came to watchmaking in this fashion: one day, while visiting a small shop, he spotted a minute repeater wristwatch. He wanted it, but he could not afford to purchase it, so he determined that he would learn to build one himself.

Moved by this decision, Oechslin decided to integrate his college studies with an apprenticeship to a master watchmaker. Now aged 24, Oechslin studied under Jörg Spörling in Lucerne, learning watchmaking and antique timepiece restoration. During this apprenticeship, Ludwig Oechslin was entrusted by the Vatican to restore the Farnese Clock, a sophisticated seventeenth century astronomical pendulum clock which provides over 60 civil, astronomical and astrological readings. The clock was painstakingly dismantled into over 1000 pieces, restored and reassembled. This project lasted four years, and it is recorded in a four volume memorial published by the Vatican. The reassembled clock is a working wonder.

During the restoration of the Farnese Clock, Oechslin published his doctoral thesis, entitled "The Clock, Model of the Cosmos, and Astronomical Instruments of Bernardo Facini." This thesis earned Oechslin doctorates in philosophy, astronomy and the history of applied sciences from the University of Berne. One year later, Oechslin passed the watchmaking exam and earned the title Master Watchmaker.  During his restoration of the Farnese Clock, Oechslin perfected the theoretical knowledge that would allow him to create the Astrolabium Galileo Galilei.

Following his watchmaking apprenticeship, Oechslin continued his quest for knowledge, continuing post-doctoral studies in Stuttgart on behalf of the Swiss National Fund for Scientific Research, followed by further studies in Vienna and at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

As often happens in life, chance played a role in allowing Ludwig Oechslin to meet Rolf Schnyder, the man who rescued Ulysse Nardin. It was at a reception at Spörling’s studio in Lucerne that Schnyder spotted an astrolabe built by Oechslin and Spörling. An astrolabe is an ancient device used during the Middle Ages to measure time by calculating the height of celestial bodies above the horizon. These instruments allow the user to calculate with complete precision the rising and setting of stars, the length of the days, equinoxes, solstices, the length of the seasons, moon phases and solar and lunar eclipses. Astrolabes also provide astrological information such as the location of constellations and the prevailing signs of the zodiac. Schnyder saw the possibility of creating an astrolabe in a wristwatch, a feat requiring genius to accomplish. Oechslin’s widely-ranging studies and technical knowledge, coupled with his training under Spörling made him the perfect man to realize Schnyder’s dream.

Schnyder plans for Ulysse Nardin matched perfectly Oechslin’s personal philosophy. Schnyder sought to return the Ulysse Nardin to the highest levels of Swiss watchmaking by producing extraordinary watches in limited numbers. Oechslin too prefers original work, not copying of what has already been done. Oechslin also seeks the simplest, most elegant solutions when designing complex mechanisms. He eschews complexity for complexity’s sake, and this view is said to run contrary to  mainstream thinking in Swiss watchmaking. Oechslin’s priorities are functionality, precision and reliability. His believes the fewer pieces in a work, the greater its value as a complex mechanism.

This philosophy has served Dr. Oechslin well, for he has designed some of the most complex wristwatches in history at Ulysse Nardin. The Trilogy of Time is said to put the universe on one’s wrist. The Perpetual Ludwig, named for its distinguished designer, is the first perpetual calender watch in history which can be set forward and backward with a single winding crown, and unlike most other perpetual calender watches, the Ludwig does not require resetting at the factory in the year 2100.

Dr. Oechslin enjoys almost total freedom in his relationship with Rolf Schnyder and Ulysse Nardin. The company does not impose or suggest anything: Oechslin alone creates, then presents his project to the company for approval. If approved, Oechslin works closely with technicians analyzing every technical and mechanical aspect of the new watch, especially the movement.  Oechslin often prepares the preliminary sketches, then he works with the draftsmen until the design is finalized. Oechslin even builds the prototypes. In short, the genius is involved in every step in the realization of his creation.

Today, Dr. Oechslin continues his research and his teaching as a Lecturer at the Swiss Polytechnic Institute while he works on new projects for Ulysse Nardin. 

In January 2001 the city council of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Switzerland appointed  Ludwig Oechslin as the new curator-director of the International Watch Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

We will certainly be hearing more from this genius of watchmaking and design.