A Watchmaker’s Hands
An encounter with Swiss master watchmaker Michael Dubs at Leica's centenary celebration in Singapore.
I was invited to Leica's 100th anniversary celebration in Singapore, where an unexpected encounter caught my attention. Seated at a small workbench was Michael Dubs, a Swiss master watchmaker, working on the intricate mechanism of a Leica ZM 1.
I know very little about watchmaking, but I've always been fascinated by people who are exceptionally good at what they do. Watching Michael work was quite an experience. His workspace was filled with tiny instruments, each serving a specific purpose. Every movement appeared deliberate, from selecting a tool to making the smallest adjustment. I couldn't help wondering how many years of practice it must have taken to develop such precision.
The light from his workbench illuminated his hands and face beautifully, while everything around him fell into shadow. I spent a few moments photographing him before a crowd began to gather, and somewhere along the way, learned more about mechanical watch movements than I could possibly absorb.
Here’s the few photographs that I took of Michael in his zone.
