--- title: "This company has been 3D printing luxury watches since 2016" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/this-company-has-been-3d-printing-luxury-watches-since-2016/ date: 2025-08-18 modified: 2025-08-14 lang: en author: "Davide Sher" description: "Founded by Michiel Holthinrichs, an architect-turned-master watchmaker, Holthinrichs Watches combines artistic vision with advanced production technologies to create timepieces that are both aesthetically extraordinary and mechanically sophisticated. Michiel’s journey began..." categories: - "Consumer Products" - "Design" - "Jewelry" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2024-09-12-031935-2024-09-12-031935-240912-031941-640x471.jpg word_count: 632 --- # This company has been 3D printing luxury watches since 2016 Founded by Michiel Holthinrichs, an architect-turned-master watchmaker, [Holthinrichs Watches](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/holthinrichs-watches/) combines artistic vision with advanced production technologies to create timepieces that are both aesthetically extraordinary and mechanically sophisticated. Michiel’s journey began during his architecture studies in Delft, where his passion gradually shifted from buildings to the intricate world of mechanical watches. Years of collecting evolved into an obsession, and soon, he committed his life to designing timepieces that embodied both structural and artistic excellence. ![Discover the evolution of Holthinrichs watches, where architecture meets intricate timepiece design and 3D printing technology.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035435-2022-11-26-035435-jpgp-r-scaled.jpg) In 2016, after four years of experimentation in metal 3D printing, Holthinrichs unveiled its first timepiece—the Ornament 1. This watch introduced an unprecedented skeletonized case made possible by pioneering work in 3D metal printing, marking the birth of the brand’s signature sculptural design language. Shortly thereafter, [a Red Gold version of the watch was also presented](https://www.voxelmatters.com/cooksongold-provides-red-gold-powder-michiel-holthinrichs-3d-printed-ornament-1-watches/). Holthinrichs Watches has since become known not only for its design innovation but also for its technical mastery, as well as its ability to manufacture almost all components in-house, from the case and crown to the dial and movement elements. ## Merging technology with tradition At the heart of the brand is an ethos they call “A New Craft in Watchmaking.” This philosophy seamlessly marries the precision of metal powder bed fusion 3D printing with the elegance of handcrafted finishing. While 3D printing allows for architectural creativity, no machine can replicate the finesse of the human hand. That’s why every 3D printed case undergoes hours of hand-polishing, beveling, and sanding—techniques refined over years and taught in Holthinrichs’ internal training programs. The movement, particularly the redeveloped Peseux-based HW-R01, is also shaped by this dual approach. Raw bridges and parts are milled using a manually controlled pantograph machine before being hand-finished to the highest standards. Techniques like anglage, black polishing, snailing, and frosted surfaces lend the movement depth, dimension, and tactile luxury. Some models require over 120 hours of hand-finishing—a commitment few watchmakers can match. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035401-2022-11-26-035401-jpgp-r-640x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035401-2022-11-26-035401-jpgp-r-scaled.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035456-2022-11-26-035456-jpgp-r-640x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035456-2022-11-26-035456-jpgp-r-scaled.jpg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035513-2022-11-26-035513-jpgp-r-640x640.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2022-11-26-035513-2022-11-26-035513-jpgp-r-scaled.jpg) In their workshop in Delft, Holthinrichs’ team also produces dials entirely in-house. After being machined and laser-etched, the dials are plated with precious metals or anodized in titanium to achieve unique, durable colors. The hands, often overlooked in modern watchmaking, are given special attention too. They are thick, spacious, and beautifully detailed with contrasting textures that enhance their visibility and artistic charm. ## Design, customization & the bespoke experience Design is the soul of Holthinrichs Watches. Inspired by architectural giants like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, the team believes in clear lines, refined ornamentation, and sculptural balance. Every timepiece starts as a sketch—hand-drawn from every angle—before being digitized and transformed into a 3D model ready for printing. This analog-first approach guarantees creative freedom and fidelity to the brand’s artistic vision. ![Discover the evolution of Holthinrichs watches, where architecture meets intricate timepiece design and 3D printing technology.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Holthinrichs-Watches_ro-blocks-2024-09-12-043053-2024-09-12-043053-240912-043100-scaled.jpg) The brand is also at the forefront of bespoke horology. Thanks to the flexibility of 3D printing, clients can request personalized engravings or design elements built into the structure of the case, dial, or buckle. Those who embark on a bespoke journey begin with a €2,500 deposit, which covers the design phase, including specifications, sketches, and artist renderings. Once approved, the full watch is crafted with the same commitment to excellence that defines the Holthinrichs name. This personalized approach extends to movement engraving, dial design, and even hand production. Whether it's initials on the caseback or a full-thematic engraving on the movement, each detail is crafted with emotion and mastery. In-house watchmakers conduct the final assembly and regulation, and the completed watch is delivered in a handmade nutwood box, crafted locally in the Netherlands —a nod to the brand’s values of durability, artistry, and legacy. With in-house manufacturing, pioneering use of 3D printing, and a deep respect for craftsmanship, Holthinrichs is setting a new standard for what luxury watches can be. This is where high-end horology meets architectural imagination, all brought to life through the human touch.