Time's Running Out for Getting an Alain Silberstein

To the guy on Tokyo's Yokosuka Line wearing the Alain Silberstein Chrono Bauhaus 2,
I’m sorry if I nearly gave you a heart attack yesterday. But I was excited to see an Alain Silberstein in the wild. Yours was the first I’d ever spotted on somebody’s wrist.

Alain Silberstein watches are striking creatures, a world apart from the usual fare that rides Tokyo’s trains such as Rolexes, Omegas, Breitlings, those quartz things, and (for some strange reason) more rarely, Japan's own Grand Seikos.

I hope that when I said in my faulty Japanese, “An Alain Silberstein! I have one, too,” it didn’t translate into, “I’m going to take your Alain Silberstein.” Though that would explain why your face turned to the color of a pale cloud.

An Alain Silberstein Krono 2

So, whoever you are, if you see this article, don’t worry. I’m not stalking your watch. My Alain Silberstein Krono 2 also rides Tokyo’s trains.

For those of you reading the name, Alain Silberstein, for the first, time let me suggest looking at his watches close up, because if you're that kind of watch person, who like fun, whimsy, creativity, color, flair, or pop art on your wrist, you're going to be tempted by a Silberstein. Alain Silberstein has been called a "maverick" by people in the watch industry, but describes himself as a "watch-making architect."

Alain Silberstein experimented in ways that most Swiss watchmakers don't dare. He said:

"The Swiss made the mistake of trying to create global watches that looked the same in every country, when they should have prioritized a local approach, as I did at the time in Japan where I had up to 22 boutiques. But having said that, there will always be both mass-produced and artisanal products, a little like with haute couture and with wine, as can be seen with 'garage wines'."

Alain Silberstein watches aren't being made anymore -- and what a loss that is to the watch world -- but you can find them on the used watch market, sometimes even as new, old stock. But get one soon, because with each passing year Alain Silberstein watches become rarer and more expensive.

Watchmaking is engineering, history, and, most of all, an art form. Few watches exemplify the artist aspect of watchmaking as much as Alain Silberstein's watches. Few watches are as beautifully creative as what Alain Silberstein built.

Alain Silberstein's chronographs use Valjoux movements, making them relatively easy to repair.
(There are also non-chronographs and tourbillons.) What's holding you back? Pick us some fun for your wrist today, while you can.