ZLTD Watches: A Brand Born from Passion and a Love for Timepieces
A Watchmaker's Journey: From YouTube to a Unique Brand
ZLTD Watches is more than just a marketing slogan; it's a testament to the power of passion and collaboration. Founded by Singaporean watch enthusiast Z.L. Toh and Canadian watchmaker Raf Dzwonek, this brand embodies the fusion of culture, creativity, and a deep-rooted love for horology.
Z.L. Toh's journey began with a simple curiosity, spending countless hours down the rabbit hole of YouTube, exploring the intricate world of watchmaking. It was a review video by Tim Mosso of the 1916 Company that sparked a fire, revealing a side of horology that Toh had never imagined. From the heat bluing of watch hands to the exquisite rose-engine hand-guilloché dials, Toh was captivated by the traditional craftsmanship.
The Birth of Z.L. Toh: A Brand with a Vision
Toh's passion led him to a bold idea: creating his own watch brand, showcasing the traditional skills he admired. Thus, the brand 'Z.L. Toh' was born, with the Series 1 as its inaugural masterpiece. This series aimed to highlight the demanding art of mirror/black polishing, a technique that required meticulous attention to detail.
Raf's Entry: A Partnership of Visionaries
During the creation of Series 1, Toh found his perfect partner in Raf Dzwonek. Together, they shared a vision for a brand that merged in-house complication modifications with traditional watchmaking crafts. This collaboration led to the rebranding of 'Z.L. Toh' into 'ZLTD Watches', with Series 1.5 as their first launch under the new name.
Raf's Watchmaking Journey: A Hands-On Approach
Raf's path to watchmaking was organic, sparked by a box of old Soviet watches found in his grandparents' apartment. Through curiosity and a bit of trial and error, Raf discovered his passion. He taught himself through hands-on work, research, and years of experimentation, a journey that has led him to become the master watchmaker behind ZLTD Watches from Series 1.5 onwards.
The Evolution: From Series 1 to Series 2
ZLTD Watches' journey began with the Series 1, a dress watch that showcased traditional craftsmanship and design elements. The focus was on mirror/black polishing, with each hour index undergoing a multi-stage polishing process. The elegant Breguet-style hands were heat-treated to vibrant colors, adding a unique touch.
Series 1.5 built upon this foundation, introducing vibrant anodized titanium dials and a 'jump hour' feature for easy time zone adjustments. The chapter ring was enhanced with Japanese Cashew Urushi lacquer, adding depth and a semi-gloss finish.
The Special Project No.1 Watch, a limited edition collaboration, showcased the brand's growth and capabilities. The dial featured true hand-guilloché, a traditional technique, and the movement was extensively adapted, with custom-manufactured stainless steel bridges and a unique 'RD210' movement.
The Visionary Series 2: A Unique Approach
Series 2 is a true testament to ZLTD Watches' vision. Initially conceived as a 'small seconds' watch, Raf's innovative idea led to an ambitious project powered by their in-house developed 'RD01' Movement. The highlight is the unique 20-degree inclined balance wheel, which not only adds a visual impact but also improves timekeeping by averaging out positional errors.
The movement bridges are crafted from stainless steel, providing a brighter, more brilliant mirror polish. The architecture is semi-skeletonized, revealing the actively moving components while hiding slower-moving elements. This design choice adds a sense of balance and calm, both mechanically and visually.
Collectors have the option of choosing between a vibrant anodized titanium dial or a hand-guilloché dial. The signature spear-shaped hands are manufactured and mirror-polished in-house, adding to the watch's visual appeal. A rotating seconds dial and a heat-treated purpled arrow hand indicate the seconds, further enhancing the watch's depth.
In-House Excellence: A Unique Position
ZLTD Watches stands out for its ability to engineer and manufacture high-precision movement components entirely in-house. With their own CNC machines, they have control over their creations and the potential to develop even more unique complications. Most components, aside from the watch cases, movements, and leather straps, are made and finished in their workshop.
Future Plans: An Iterative Approach
ZLTD Watches plans to take an iterative approach, refining their catalog annually with new innovations and changes. While the first run of Series 2 sold out, they are already working on the next design. The brand aims to continue developing in-house complications while showcasing traditional watchmaking craftsmanship in their future Series 3 and Series 4, expected to debut in 2026.
A Vision for the Future
ZLTD Watches is grateful for the support from the watch community and aims to continue producing timepieces that resonate with enthusiasts and collectors. With a focus on in-house manufacturing and finishing, they plan to keep their annual production to around 100 timepieces, ensuring the quality and attention to detail that their brand represents.
To learn more about ZLTD Watches and their unique creations, visit their website at ZLTDWatches.com or follow their journey on Instagram at ZLTDWatches.
