In our new interview series spotlighting forward-thinking figures in independent watchmaking, Stefan Kudoke, founder of Kudoke, discusses the craftsmanship underpinning the brand’s watches
Founder and master watchmaker Stefan Kudoke gives the term quiet luxury a whole new meaning with his watches. His latest Kudoke 1 and Kudoke 2 are understated yet deeply expressive pieces. Rooted in Saxon watchmaking tradition, the independent watchmaker has a flair for the restrained.
Commenting on the launch of the two watches, Kudoke notes that while all of his creations are strongly defined by handcraft, this variation goes a step further. “The tremblage is executed entirely by hand, giving each dial a distinctive, vibrant surface. No two pieces are alike,” he says.
The use of the tremblage technique, French for “to tremble”, gives the dials a soft, velvety finish. He adds, “Tremblage is time‑intensive, with every detail hand‑engraved, and is difficult to scale economically. As an independent brand, we have the freedom to prioritise authenticity and artistic quality over efficiency.”
On the Kudoke 1, the tremblage dial remains clean, while the texture introduces a new dimension. The small seconds can either stand out as a contrasting sub‑dial or be integrated into the surface, offering two distinct expressions of the same watch.
On the Kudoke 2, the tremblage surface forms a serene backdrop for the brand’s signature day‑and‑night display. The matte texture enhances the sculptural quality of the celestial motif, allowing the sun, moon and stars to shine.
All of this is made possible by Stefan Kudoke, a German independent watchmaker known for hand‑engraved, skeletonised and classically styled mechanical watches produced in small numbers. He trained in Germany before honing his craft at Glashütte Original’s complications atelier and later worked on Breguet, Blancpain, and Omega in New York. In 2005, he founded Kudoke, focusing on highly decorated, often one‑off creations, before developing his own in‑house Kaliber 1 for the more restrained Handwerk collection.
What can you tell us about your novelties from this year?
Our most outstanding novelty is the evolution of our traditional craftsmanship in the form of a new dial variation featuring genuine, hand‑engraved tremblage. This execution translates a historical decorative technique into a contemporary interpretation and elevates it to a level rarely seen with such consistency. The journey itself was essential to the development: mastering this engraving technique alone took around three years, marked by intensive trial and error.
What does this say about where your brand stands in 2026?
In 2026, we see ourselves as an independent manufacture dedicated to traditional techniques while continuously reinterpreting them. The tremblage dials embody this philosophy: uncompromising craftsmanship, artistic expression and a conscious departure from industrial perfection in favour of character and soul.
What risks were taken to make this possible?
The greatest risk lies in the immense amount of time required and the resulting limitation in production numbers. Mastering the technique alone took around three years. Technically, tremblage demands a high level of precision, as mistakes are nearly impossible to correct.
Creatively, it represents a departure from the preference for flawless, industrial surfaces. Commercially, it means offering a product that requires explanation and appeals to a highly informed audience.
What role do you hope these watches will play in your brand’s story?
We hope it will be seen as a meaningful milestone, a moment when we revisited a classical decorative technique in a way that feels relevant today. It should stand as a symbol of our ambition: not to preserve traditional watchmaking like a museum piece, but to keep it alive and evolving.
