Bernhard Lederer, the founder of BLU
Bernhard Lederer, the founder of BLU
Bernhard Lederer is the founder and chief watchmaker of the watchmaking brand BLU. He was born near Stuttgart, Germany in 1958, began a watchmaker apprenticeship in 1976 and qualified as Master Watchmaker in 1984.
A passionate desire to be independent encouraged Lederer to open his own atelier called ‘Uhrenmanufaktur Lederer’ (Clock manufacture Lederer). He specialized in the restoration of vintage watches and clocks, as well as developing his own timepieces. In 1985, Lederer’s horological talent was recognized by his peers when he was accepted as a founding member of the A.H.C.I, the Horological Academy of Independent Watchmakers.
As well as restoration, Lederer constructed unique pieces on commission: these included a table clock featuring a perpetual calendar and moonphase that it only needed correction after 1000 years. He also developed a sculptural clock called ‘Trojka’, which features clockwork concealed inside three tall, chrome-plated columns.
Lederer’s next project was manufacturing a series wristwatches called of ‘Time Dimension’ with orbiting Zeiss glass disks, which won the German Watch of the Year prize and became the inspiration for BLU’s popular Galaxy series.
BLU MT3, winner of “The Most Revered Watch 2007 in terms of design and technological innovation“
In 1997 Lederer headed to Brazil to manage a monumental clock project consisting of 24 large (14 meters/45 feet) countdown clocks placed in historical locations around the country. Then, in 2000, Lederer relocated to Neuchâtel, Switzerland and founded his own haute horogerie watch brand, BLU (Bernhard Lederer Universe).
BLU’s designs and innovation have been recognized by international awards, including the 2006 Middle East Watches and Jewellery award for Best High-End Jewelled Watch for the Baguette, and the 2007 Kuala Lumpur watch competition prize for Most Revered Watch for the MT3 orbiting triple-axis tourbillion.
Bernhard Lederer’s timepieces are united by the fact that they tell the time without imposing the constraints of time on the viewer. You can relax and appreciate the beauty of the watch without being stressed by time racing by.
