An exclusive look in the trade magazine Edelmetaal at the craftsmanship of Roland Oostwegel. Read about the family tradition, succession by daughter Veerle and the revolutionary journey of the Shock-System® into space.
For lovers of exclusive watches, recognition from experts is the finest compliment. We are therefore very proud of the in-depth interview with R.O. Watches in the June 2021 edition of the well-known trade magazine 'Edelmetaal'.
In a world where mass production often dominates, this article highlights the essence of our atelier in Heerlen: an uncompromising dedication to craft, a deeply rooted family heritage and a bold drive for technical innovation. The interview dives deep into the soul of master goldsmith and watchmaker Roland Oostwegel, the driving force behind our creations.
A foundation of gold and precision
The article in "Edelmetaal" beautifully sketches how the foundation for today's R.O. Watches was laid by Roland's father. The anecdote about his ability to determine the authenticity of a stone in an instant — "25 years and 2 minutes of experience" — is exemplary of the intuitive expertise in our house's DNA.
Roland's own journey, shaped by rigorous training at the Staatliche Zeichenakademie in Hanau, Germany, and internships in Cologne, took him from crafting jewellery for world stars such as Tina Turner to the complex mechanics of the watch movement. It was the realisation that the work of a designer and a technician do not always run in parallel — resulting in vulnerable movements — that sparked the leap into innovation.
The birth of the Shock-System®
Beauty must never come at the expense of wearability. Driven by this philosophy, Roland Oostwegel developed his patented Shock-System® in 2008. A unique mechanism that protects the delicate mechanical heart of the watch against the shocks of everyday life.
The magazine zooms in on the fascinating story behind the validation of this system. For how do you prove the indestructibility of a movement when earthly test towers are not tall enough? The answer lay in the stars. The article describes the bold step towards the European Space Agency (ESA) and the chance but crucial meeting with astronaut André Kuipers.
The first Dutch watch in space
What followed is a piece of Dutch watchmaking history of which we are still proud every day. André Kuipers took on the challenge and personally tested the R.O. technology in space. This not only led to the ultimate proof for our shock system, but also to the development of specific complications such as the unique Orbit counter, specially designed for the mission.
It is this combination of technical ingenuity and an unconventional approach that also draws well-known Dutch figures, such as ambassador Huub Stapel, to our atelier. They understand that an R.O. Watch is more than an instrument to read the time; it is a story on the wrist.
The future is secured
"Edelmetaal" also highlights a personal high point for Roland: the future of the family business. With daughter Veerle, who is following the same demanding training in Germany and walking in her father's footsteps, the third generation of Oostwegel is ready to take over the torch. This continuity guarantees that the passion and knowledge will be preserved for the future.
Exclusive masterpieces featured
Finally, the magazine treats its readers to a look at some of our most iconic models. Shown among others are the R.O.1 Power Reserve in a rose gold case and the R.O.1 Moon Phase with an enchanting guilloché blue dial. Both models, part of the strictly limited R.O. Specials series, are of course equipped with the space-tested Shock-System®.
We invite you to read the full article in "Edelmetaal", or better still, to experience the masterpieces shown in the magazine in person at our atelier in Heerlen.