The Real Time Show: Albishorn's Visionary Founder Sébastien Chaulmontet Is Rewriting History
Introduction In the April 20, 2025 episode of The Real Time Show, hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph welcome Sébastien Scholmonte, the innovative founder of Albishorn. Sébastien brings a unique blend of legal expertise and deep passion for watchmaking, positioning Albishorn as a distinctive player in the horology landscape.
1. From Law to Watchmaking: Sébastien's Journey (00:00 - 06:36) Sébastien begins by sharing his unconventional path from studying law in Freiburg, Switzerland, to becoming a prominent figure in the watchmaking industry. With a specialization in corporate and finance law, Sébastien's legal career intersected with his passion for watches, leading him to roles such as Head of Innovation at Manufacture La Joux Perret and later at Celica Watch Company.
Notable Quote:
“I think it needs a bit of craziness. Indeed. Yeah, it's a wonderful introduction.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (00:02:54)
2. The Birth of Albishorn: Vision and Philosophy (06:36 - 13:10) Albishorn was born out of Sébastien’s desire to create something beyond mere reproductions of vintage military watches. As a dedicated collector, he aimed to design "imaginary ancestors and sometimes successors," blending historical aesthetics with innovative functionalities. This approach differentiates Albishorn from other brands that focus on re-editions.
Notable Quote:
“Why reproduce? Why making reedition what the rest of the industry is doing all the time and doing very well actually it's very hard to make it any better.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (05:30)
3. Innovating Chronograph Design: Breaking the Mold (13:10 - 22:47) A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Albishorn's unique take on chronograph design. Sébastien delves into the history of chronographs, challenging the notion that Louis Monet was the sole inventor. He credits a collective effort, highlighting contributions from individuals like Vinnell and Ferrol Piguet, which culminated in modern chronograph functionality.
Notable Quote:
“The chronograph is a combination of a stopwatch and a watch capable of giving the time. That's a big complexity of a chronograph.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (13:21)
Sébastien further explains Albishorn's distinctive bicompact dial layout, where the chronograph sub-dials are positioned unusually, differentiating them from traditional designs.
Notable Quote:
“People are more used to the original nine and three o'clock counter position. And I decided to have mine much lower.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (17:20)
4. Reception and Market Response (10:57 - 14:00) Contrary to Sébastien’s expectations, Albishorn has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the specialized press and watch enthusiasts. Launching without advertisements, the brand garnered significant attention and numerous articles, surpassing initial projections.
Notable Quote:
“The reception has been crazily positive. I thought it would be much more difficult.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (11:12)
5. Future Collections: Water, Air, and Beyond (22:47 - 36:14) Albishorn's inaugural collection, the Water Collection, was inspired by the historic Regattas and the lack of wrist chronographs tailored for such events in the 1930s. Sébastien collaborated with William Asina to create the MaxiGraph, a regatta chronograph featuring a unique 10-minute countdown that declutches automatically.
Looking ahead, Sébastien hints at upcoming collections like Air and Land, each drawing from different thematic inspirations while maintaining Albishorn's signature blend of vintage and innovative design.
Notable Quote:
“The idea was to add something missing in the vintage world, like an ancient basic regatta chronograph.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (23:30)
6. Brand Strategy: Limited Editions vs. Classic Collections (27:15 - 31:07) Albishorn aims to produce between 150 to 200 watches annually, focusing on sustainability and avoiding the pitfalls of overproduction. Sébastien emphasizes creating timeless classics over artificially limiting editions, ensuring that each watch remains relevant and desirable for years to come.
Notable Quote:
“I prefer doing more added value, more specific, even more crazy, but obviously more expensive, rather than doubling the volume.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (55:16)
7. Expanding Horizons: A Higher-End Brand (37:39 - 44:31) Recognizing the challenges within the saturated $5,000 price bracket, Sébastien plans to launch a second, higher-end brand in collaboration with a fellow watchmaker. This new venture will focus on extremely limited, high-precision timepieces with innovative escapements, diverging from Albishorn's vintage-inspired aesthetic.
Notable Quote:
“I have too many ideas. I cannot put them all into one brand.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (37:39)
8. The Crucial Role of Patents in Watchmaking (55:16 - 62:31) A significant discussion centers on the importance of patents in the watchmaking industry. Sébastien explains that while patents are not primarily meant to stifle competition, they are essential for protecting innovations, especially for small brands like Albishorn. He shares a personal anecdote about developing a "phase of the Earth seen from the moon" complication, which Swatch later launched without proper patent protection, leading to legal and practical setbacks for his original design.
Notable Quote:
“I do patents actually is not really to prevent anyone to do it because I'm much too small to even try to start to attack people.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (56:59)
9. Open Source in Watchmaking: A Futuristic Vision (56:59 - 62:31) When prompted about the possibility of an open-source watchmaking collaborative, Sébastien expresses skepticism. He highlights the aggressive patent landscape and the logistical challenges that make open-source models impractical for small, innovative brands. The high costs and legal complexities of patenting further dissuade him from embracing an open-source approach.
Notable Quote:
“The problem you have in this industry is that people do really, you do have to patent nowadays because otherwise someone can block you from producing your watches.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (56:59)
10. Looking Ahead: Sustainability Over Growth (49:10 - 55:16) In wrapping up, Sébastien shares his vision for the future, emphasizing sustainability and maintaining passion over relentless growth. He aspires to keep Albishorn’s production manageable, ensuring each watch aligns with his creative and quality standards. Sébastien admires brands that focus on producing limited, high-value watches rather than chasing high volumes, aiming to establish Albishorn as a timeless and respected name in watchmaking.
Notable Quote:
“I think the most important thing is that I keep the passion for what I do. Albishorn started as a fun project and I'm fighting that it stays like that.”
— Sébastien Scholmonte (49:45)
Conclusion Sébastien Scholmonte’s journey from law to watchmaking underscores Albishorn’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and honoring the rich heritage of military and regatta chronographs. Through thoughtful design, strategic brand management, and a clear vision for the future, Albishorn stands out as a beacon of creativity and passion in the competitive watch industry. Hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph commend Sébastien’s multifaceted expertise and look forward to future episodes exploring his continued endeavors.
Contact Information Listeners interested in learning more or reaching out to Albishorn can connect via Albishorn’s official channels, ensuring they stay updated with the latest releases and innovations from Sébastien and his team.
This summary captures the essence of Sébastien Scholmonte’s interview on The Real Time Show, highlighting his innovative approach to watchmaking, the philosophy behind Albishorn, and his perspectives on industry challenges and the future of horology.