ad Kozh” means “Grandfather” in Breton (Brittany). The name embodies heritage, transmission, and the living memory of a craft that is received and then passed on. Founded by Baudouin and Alix van Es, this non-profit association places people at the heart of contemporary watchmaking.

Tad Kozh has a dual mission: to promote watchmaking métiers d’art and to support the emergence of new talents on their path to independence. In an industry where technical excellence is too often accompanied by silence, Tad Kozh gives a voice, a face, and recognition to the artisans who shape time.

Tad Kozh is built on a unique model in which creation and transmission nourish one another. Each year, Tad Kozh presents two limited editions. Each is the result of a collaboration between a watch brand and an artisan, centered on a métier d’art the brand has never previously explored.

Alix and Baudouin van Es

The artisan does not merely execute; he or she becomes a co-creator. After analyzing the brand’s DNA, the artisan proposes creative directions. The result is a genuine four-handed collaboration, where creativity and technical mastery engage in equal dialogue.

These limited editions (between 5 and 10 pieces each) are offered through subscription, creating a direct connection between collectors and artisans. The buyer does not simply own a watch; they know who crafted it, the techniques employed, and the story behind it. Moreover, the proceeds from these sales fund the Tad Kozh New Talent Award.

“What has touched me most is the generosity with which brands, artisans, and collectors have responded to our call. Tad Kozh is intended to be a catalyst: a place where talents are revealed, where collaborations come to life, and where the future of independent watchmaking is built,” said Baudouin van Es.

The second pillar of the association is the Tad Kozh New Talent Award, which will recognize two laureates each year, supporting two professional journeys toward independence. The Tad Kozh New Talent Award goes beyond encouragement: it equips, trains, and mentors. Eligible applicants include individuals aged 18 to 35 who hold a watchmaking diploma (or are self-taught with a compelling portfolio) and who aspire to become independent while promoting machining or finishing techniques in their horological creations - watches, clocks, timepieces, or technical constructions.

The award package includes:

• A 70 lathe and a Hauser-type jig borer
• Advanced training on these machines delivered by Luc Monnet, Meilleur Ouvrier de France
• Technical and business mentorship in 2026 provided by Jean-François Mojon and Pietro Tomajer

The jury, chaired by Marc-André Deschoux, brings together leading figures from the world of independent watchmaking, including Alexandre Ghotbi, Roy Davidoff, Guillaume Tetu, Hervé Schlüchter, Luc Monnet, and Emilien Reverchon.

The selection process values technical excellence as much as vision. Candidates submit an application outlining their professional project, as well as the finishing or machining techniques they wish to highlight in their future creations. Following an initial selection in July, finalists will be invited to Switzerland in September for a one-day practical examination: machining and finishing a component to be assessed by the jury. The final evaluation considers both technical quality and mastery of execution.

Tad Kozh is not intended to train executors; it supports and promotes independent creators capable of preserving and reinventing traditional craftsmanship.

“To me, successful content is something that triggers a reaction - an emotion, a question, a desire. With Tad Kozh, we have extraordinary material: passionate artisans, rare gestures, and powerful stories that, I hope, will inspire many,” stated Alix van Es.

The year 2026 will mark the launch of Tad Kozh with two limited editions:

• One edition before summer 2026
• A second edition during the Geneva Watch Days 2026

Each limited edition will introduce an artisan, a technique, and a story. Each edition will help finance the emergence of two new talents.

Deeply attached to his roots from Brittany, Baudouin, together with Alix, share a conviction: watchmaking is not merely about mechanical complications. It is, above all, about people — about gestures passed down and knowledge preserved. Passionate about the men and women who bring watchmaking to life, they founded the media platform Tourbillon Watch in 2019 to showcase their work. Driven by this commitment and inspired by the example of their elders, they are launching Tad Kozh in 2026: a bridge between generations, between tradition and renewal, between collectors and artisans.

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