Marco Tedeschi: The Evolution of a Watchmaking Visionary

Crafting Time: A Legacy Reimagined by Marco Tedeschi

The Genesis of a Horological Passion: From Childhood Curiosity to Technical Expertise

Marco Tedeschi's passion for timepieces ignited at a young age, nurtured by his father's career in a Genevan watch shop. His early interactions involved simple tasks like winding mechanical watches, which unexpectedly unveiled a profound fascination with their intricate internal mechanisms. This formative experience, witnessing inert objects spring to life through human touch, laid the groundwork for his future in watchmaking. His initial exposure progressed into immersive stints at Franck Muller's manufacture during school breaks, where he gained practical insights into diverse watchmaking crafts. This hands-on learning solidified his career aspirations, leading him to formal education at the École Technique de la Vallée de Joux for watchmaking, followed by specialized studies in microtechnology design, marking a crucial step in his professional development.

Revolutionary Design and Early Career Milestones: Pioneering a Central Tourbillon Concept

During his engineering studies, Marco Tedeschi embarked on a groundbreaking project: designing a unique watch movement that defied conventional structures. Driven by a desire for extended power reserve and a preference for manual winding due to the intimate connection it fostered between wearer and timepiece, he conceived a movement with a central axis integrating the primary components—energy, regulator, and display. This innovative central tourbillon design, a first of its kind, demonstrated his bold and unconventional approach to horology. His initiative caught the attention of industry titan Jean-Claude Biver, leading to a pivotal role at Hublot. There, Tedeschi contributed significantly to establishing their manufacture, particularly in movement and case development, including the renowned UNICO chronograph movement, an experience that honed his understanding of efficient production processes.

Strategic Evolution and Brand Foundation: Kross Studio's Emergence and Collaborations

Transitioning from a technical role at Hublot to a business-oriented position, Marco Tedeschi further diversified his expertise with a Master's degree in management. After a period of consulting and a leadership role at Romain Jérôme, where he focused on internal capability building, the unforeseen circumstances of a global pandemic prompted him to establish Kross Studio. Initially, the brand leveraged subcontracting to fund its operations and develop manufacturing capabilities, capitalizing on the industry's need for new partners during an uncertain period. Concurrently, Tedeschi began to shape Kross Studio's distinct identity, prioritizing a central movement architecture and an innovative marketing strategy that embraced pop culture and cinema. This approach aimed to connect with a broader audience beyond traditional watch enthusiasts, utilizing collaborations to build rapid brand recognition and showcase technical prowess within a contemporary, engaging framework.

Strategic Partnerships and Product Innovation: The MT1 and Chanel's Investment

Kross Studio's innovative spirit and technical credibility quickly garnered attention, culminating in a minority investment from Chanel. This partnership was significant, offering Kross Studio the vital support to expand production capacity and capabilities while safeguarding its independence, a core value for Tedeschi. Concurrently, the brand introduced the MT1 tourbillon, characterized by its organic, lug-less case design, absence of a traditional crown, and intuitive pusher-operated winding and time-setting system. The MT1's highly architectural and skeletonized movement fully showcased its central design philosophy, complemented by a user-friendly interchangeable strap system. Building on this success, the upcoming Watches & Wonders 2026 will feature the MT1.1, an evolution of the original, incorporating a power reserve indicator, new materials like tantalum, and improved ergonomics, including a redesigned double-folding clasp, all aimed at enhancing functionality while preserving the original concept.

The Personalization of a Brand: Kross Studio Rebranded to Marco Tedeschi

A significant strategic shift for the brand involves its rebranding from Kross Studio to Marco Tedeschi. This move reflects a deeper alignment between the products and Tedeschi's personal vision and architectural designs, which have been central to his work for many years. The transition aims to clarify the brand's identity, making a direct statement about its origin and the individual behind its unique creations. While Kross Studio will continue as a platform for collaborations, it will now operate under the overarching Marco Tedeschi brand umbrella, signifying a full circle moment for its founder. Looking ahead, Tedeschi is focused on scaling production, investing in advanced machinery, and nurturing a strong team spirit. He anticipates an exciting future with new projects that promise to introduce truly distinctive offerings to collectors.