🎙️ CDMLEC – Reviving Heritage Brands Through Contemporary Watchmaking

Guest: Tom van Wijlick – CDMLEC
Hosted by: Alon Ben Joseph & Rob Nudds – The Real Time Show
Recorded at: Time to Watches 2025 – Villa Sarasin – Geneva
Main partner: STISS (www.stiss.ch)

This episode, produced by Time to Watches and The Real Time Show, is brought to you by STISS (www.stiss.ch).
Welcome to another Time to Watches podcast, where each recording highlights the people who make the world of watchmaking so fascinating.

Recorded at Time to Watches in Geneva, Alon Ben Joseph and Rob Nudds welcome Tom van Wijlick, founder of CDMLEC, for an open and wide-ranging conversation about reviving historic watch brands with a contemporary vision.

During the discussion, Tom explains how CDMLEC came to oversee two heritage names, Lebois & Co, Fixoflex and Airain, and why the decision to bring back multiple brands happened organically rather than as part of a predefined strategy. The conversation explores how both brands coexist under the same group while maintaining distinct identities and design directions.

The episode touches on the importance of respecting historical references while adapting them to modern expectations, as well as the challenges of product development, brand coherence and long-term positioning in today’s watch market.

A candid and engaging exchange about entrepreneurship, heritage revival and the balance between authenticity and modern watchmaking.

🎧 Duration: 26min
💬 Language: English
📢 Presented by: STISS (www.stiss.ch) – main partner of the Time to Watches Podcasts

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