Christine Hutter - From Watchmaker To Founder Of Moritz Grossmann

Christine Hutter shares her journey from watchmaker to founder of independent manufacture Moritz Grossmann-and often as the only woman in the room

- Annabel Tan

One of the most prominent figures in 19th-century German watchmaking, Karl Moritz Grossmann was known for his technically impressive pocket watches and pendulum clocks. He also co-founded the German School of Watchmaking in Glashütte.

When he died of a sudden stroke in 1885, his manufacture in Glashütte was liquidated. While that appeared to be the end of Grossmann's story, his name and legacy would be revived and perpetuated more than 120 years later by a passionate watchmaker named Christine Hutter.

Born in Eichstätt, Germany, Hutter founded Moritz Grossmann as a watch manufacture in 2008, after acquiring the rights to the name and brand. Today, it is a well-known independent watch brand revered and coveted by aficionados around the world. During her recent visit to Singapore, the CEO of Moritz Grossmann sits down with Tatler to discuss her watchmaking journey, along with the traditions and crafts that make the brand so special.

How did you get into watchmaking?

I had always wanted to study sports, although I also felt connected to the arts. After high school, I wasn't able to take the examination for sports, so a friend asked me to consider watchmaking instead. And I thought, "Why not?" I decided to give it a try and I really liked it. I did the apprenticeships, I was very good in school, and it was clear for me to continue on in watchmaking. I experienced different areas, from retail business to sales promotion, marketing and operations (with A Lange & Söhne worldwide), and setting up distribution for sales at A Lange & Söhne Middle East. Now with Moritz Grossmann, all my experiences in the different facets of watchmaking are coming together.

What led to the founding of Moritz Grossmann in 2008?