Did You Know? Quiet Watchmaking Is Making A Comeback And Laine Leads The Way

Did you know that one of the most quietly impressive independent watch brands was born when a master watchmaker packed up his family and moved straight into the beating heart of Swiss watchmaking? Meet Torsti Laine, a professional watchmaker who relocated to La Chaux-de-Fonds, nestled in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland, to do what he does best: handcraft exceptional mechanical watches, one detail at a time.

Before founding his namesake brand, Laine trained at the prestigious Kelloseppäkoulu school of Watchmaking, then went on to work alongside some of the most revered names in horology including A. Lange & Söhne in Germany and Kari Voutilainen in Switzerland. Not a bad résumé if you ask us! After a brief stint writing and even teaching code programming, he became enamored with watches and Laine began to supplement his formal education by deciding to build his own clock, which he accomplished in three years.

In 2014, he entered a competition held by A. Lange & Söhne. Fascinated by how the moon appears in different positions around the globe, he submitted an innovative design. It was of a watch with a single pusher that could be used to correct the moonphase so that it was accurate in any position on earth. The project also featured an indicator of the earth’s position as viewed from the moon. This design won him a 10,000-euro prize which he used to purchase his first tools. Following his success at the competition, Laine relocated to Le Locle to live in the epicenter of watchmaking and has operated his own brand since 2016.

Torsti’s initial work focused on chronographs using movements like the Valjoux 22, 23 and 72, and he even made one stunning sector dial pièce unique featuring a vintage Longines 13ZN movement. Today, Torsti focuses less on chronographs and more on his time-only watches which are offered in two sizes: a 38mm version powered by a Vaucher micro-rotor movement and a 40.5mm version with a manual wind, largely proprietary movement based on a Unitas gear train. These are known respectively as the V38 and the GG3. Incidentally, GG stands for “Gelidus,” a frosted finish reminiscent of the snow in Laine’s native Finland, and “Guilloché,” the engraved decorative pattern he has become famous for.

A Brand Built on Craft, Not Compromise

Founded with a passion for traditional watchmaking and contemporary design, Laine is an independent brand devoted to mechanical purity and understated elegance. Every single watch is meticulously hand-finished from movement components to dials and hands. Special attention is paid to Guilloché engraving, Black polishing, Hand-executed chamfering and sharp internal angles. This isn’t mass production. This is horology as an art form.

One of the most exciting things about Laine isn’t just what you see, it’s what you can choose. As an independent atelier, Laine offers meaningful customization options, allowing collectors to create a watch that feels deeply personal. From dial colors and finishes to hand treatments including heat-blued options and subtle aesthetic details, each piece can be tailored to reflect the wearer’s taste while staying true to the brand’s understated elegance.

Because much of the work is done in-house, customization isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into the process. The result? A watch that isn’t just owned, but commissioned. In a world of mass-produced luxury, Laine reminds us that true exclusivity isn’t about logos or loud design it’s about craftsmanship, intention and a watch made with you in mind.

Laine Just Went Smaller and Bolder

Laine recently introduced the P37 collection, the smallest watch in the brand’s lineup, proving that compact doesn’t mean compromised. At its heart is a manual-wind movement based on the classic Peseux 7001 gear train, elevated with in-house bridges, screws, dials, and hands. The level of finishing? Exceptional and rarely seen at this price point.

Here’s where it gets really fun: The P37 collection showcases Laine’s uncompromising approach to fine watchmaking, featuring vintage syringe-inspired hands crafted from just 0.2mm steel, each one carefully filed and polished entirely by hand, with optional heat-blued finishes available on lighter dials. Collectors can choose from five distinct dial variations, all paired with a beautifully finished rose gold–colored movement adorned with hand-turned guilloché. The movement’s artistry continues with two black-polished steel bridges, a black-polished crown cap and barrel screw, and a total of 17 hand-polished steel components, all meticulously chamfered by hand to create sharp, elegant internal angles. Completing the package is a manual-wind caliber offering a 42-hour power reserve, operating at a refined 3 Hz. In short: small watch, serious watchmaking.

Why Collectors Love Laine

Laine watches aren’t flashy. They don’t shout. They whisper- to those who know. By blending classic techniques with modern sensibilities, the brand creates timepieces that feel timeless, personal, and deeply human. Each watch is a quiet celebration of craftsmanship, connecting collectors and enthusiasts around the world through a shared appreciation for mechanical beauty. This directly coincides with the values embodied by India Watch Weekend. No wonder Laine will be seen showcasing its collection at the event held in January in Mumbai. So next time you hear about an independent watch brand doing things differently, remember this: Sometimes the most extraordinary watches come from someone brave enough to move mountains for their craft.