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Kees Engelbarts es un creador holandés radicado en Ginebra, Suiza,especialista en la manufactura de relojes, a los cuales otorga la magia

de su desmedida imaginación utilizando una antigua técnica japonesa lla-mada “Mokume Gane”, que literalmente significa “metal de buen grano”.Kees Engelbarts, que inicialmente fue un experto grabador a mano, esinclusive hoy comisionado por varias marcas relojeras suizas de altagama para que grabe sus diales, movimientos, cajas, etc.En 1997, Kees decidió crear sus propios relojes. “¿Por qué un reloj —razo-nó—debe llevar la marca del fabricante (el técnico) si lo más importante

Kees Engelbarts is a Dutch creator who lives in Geneva, Switzerland andwho specializes in manufacturing watches to which he adds a touch of

the magic that his prodigious imagination conjures up, making use of anancient Japanese technique called “Mokume Gane”, which literally means“metal of good grain”.Kees Engelbarts, who began initially as an expert hand engraver, is, eventoday, commissioned by several high-end Swiss watch trademarks toengrave the dials, movements, cases and other parts of their watches.In 1997, Kees decided to create his own watches. “Why,” he reasoned,

Kees Engelbarts, holandés radicado en Ginebra, crearelojes únicos, para gente que busca “ algo diferente” ,y sólo manufactura unas pocas piezas al año, utilizan-do únicamente los mejores materiales y movimientos

Kees Engelbarts, a Dutchman who makes his home inGeneva, is the maker of unique watches for peoplelooking for “ something different” , and he only makesa few pieces a year, using only the very best materialsand movements.

es su aspecto estético, el dial grabado o el movimiento bellamente deco-rado? ¿No sería más lógico ponerle al reloj el nombre de su creador?”.El razonamiento resultó correcto: Kees Engelbarts crea relojes únicos,para gente que busca “algo diferente”, y sólo manufactura unas pocaspiezas al año, usando únicamente los mejores materiales y movimientos(mayormente el “nuevo viejo stock” de las décadas de 1950, 1960 y 1970).Y ofrece un servicio al cliente tras la compra, ya que posee movimientosde repuesto para cada reloj que manufactura.Quien observe detenidamente un reloj de Kees Engelbarts no dudará queha sido hecho a mano con pasión y amor. Porque, como sostieneEngelbarts, “hecho a mano” no es sólo una frase publicitaria.

“should a watch carry the trademark of its (technical) manufacturer, whenits most important feature is its aesthetic appearance, its engraved dial orits beautifully decorated movement? Wouldn’t it be more logical to putthe name of the watch’s creator on it?”And his reasoning was apparently correct: Today Kees Engelbarts createsunique watches for people looking for “something different”, and he onlymakes a few pieces a year, using only the very best materials andmovements(mostly culled from “new old stock” from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s). He alsooffers post-sale service to his clients, since he has a stock of sparemovementsfor each and every watch that he makes.Anyone taking a close look at a Kees Engelbarts watch can have no doubtthat it is handmade with passion and love. Because, as Engelbarts himselfsays, “handmade” isn’t just an advertising ploy.

Fotos: gentileza Kees Engelbarts. www.kees.ch Photos: Courtesy of Kees Engelbarts. www.kees.ch