Timelords: François Quentin
Most people, when looking for something that doesn’t exist, settle for compromise. Not François Quentin, founder of haute horlogerie brand 4N. With a concept in his head and years of experience under his belt, he set about creating one of the most complex and impressive complications ever to be seen in watchmaking. The final product boasts some incredible statistics, but what about the man behind it all? We sit down with François to talk creativity, watchmaking and . . . kitesurfing?
Q. What first got you interested in watches and watchmaking?
The freedom of creation in this mechanical universe.
Q. Do you remember your first watch?
A Kelton with a diving style for my first communion.
Q. When did you first think you wanted to make your own watch, and why?
I started drawing watches in 1987 for others. After fifteen years of work for famous brands, I decided to create my own, and in 2004, I founded Hautlence with Guillaume Têtu and Renaud De Retz.
Q. What were your inspirations?
For the 4N watch, it’s clearly the phrase of Sullivan: the form follows the function. This watch is the result of a wish to increase readability of the jumping hours and minutes.
Q. What problems did you face in the development of the 4N?
The money!
Q. Is the final watch how you imagined it to be?
Yes, exactly so.
Q. Is it something you’d want to do again?
It is a great experience, but I'm now working on going further with a new 4N, presenting a twenty-four hour display.
Q. What have you learned from the experience?
Meeting with wonderful people such as Julio Papi, Fabrice Deschanel, Benoît Mintiens, etcetera. Contacting and sharing with such individuals is always really instructive and pleasant.
Q. What would you want to be doing if you weren’t into watchmaking?
Many things are of interest to me: I do design, and teach it in an art school in Paris; I practice paragliding; I kitesurf; and I’m also learning to pilot. Lastly, I do like to travel a lot. If I wasn’t into watchmaking, I might do something in relation to those activities, although doing nothing might be good too . . .
Q. 4N aside, which three watches would you like to have in your collection, money no object, and why?
The Urwerk UR-110 just because it’s beautiful; the Seamaster Bullhead; and the OPUS 3 and almost all other Opus because Harry Winston’s adventure is the most beautiful horological success of the past fifteen years—even if the takeover by Swatch group changes the situation.
