My story spans three generations—an inheritance not of wealth, but of wonder. It begins with the quiet influence of a father whose passions become the compass for his sons. My grandfather was an artist, and my father is a fan of the fine arts and vintage dive watches. Arion is a tribute to this line of successive paternal inspirations. Harkening back to my father’s time in the Army, when the military bases had unparalleled prices and access to Rolexes, Omegas, and other watches, it has been his habit to gift watches for big occasions. Thus, when I graduated from college, my father initiated me into the world of haute horology, gifting me my first great watch. It was not a mere rite of passage, but a way of immortalizing a memory.

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As many of you know, a passion has a habit of giving way to an obsession. I spent countless hours researching different brands, their histories, their heritage, and the evolution of the wristwatch. Working with a local jeweler, I wore new and celebrated pieces, writing about them with a critical eye. In my spare time, I scoured markets for overlooked gems—buying, selling, learning.

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Though I began as a fan of sport watches, as my father was, I gradually developed a deep appreciation for the elegance of vintage dress watches. These weren’t just instruments to tell time—they were works of art crafted to endure and delight. These watches rose above the endless debate of form versus function. They had both in abundance, and one could not reasonably say which preceded the other. The attention-to-detail, impassioned craftsmanship, and reflection of character - sometimes flamboyant, sometimes reserved - that these watches exhibit leave an indelible impression. They have stood the test of the very time they are meant to keep.  

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Still, like many seasoned collectors, I grew all too familiar with the trials of vintage ownership—the fragility, the elusive parts, the fear of damage during servicing. I found myself longing for something that captured the soul of vintage design but wore the armor of modern engineering. To pass idle time, I had been began musing over subtle details from early-to-mid century vintage icons, drawing out designs of my own watches.

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And the more I sketched, the more compelled I felt. I asked myself the dangerous question: why not? What began as idle curiosity quickly became a focused endeavor. I had renderings drawn and began sending my vision into the void of manufacturer inboxes—expecting little more than silence.

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To be frank, I did not expect to receive any response, and that my dream would be passing as I sent emails into the abyss known as “Contact us”. Who was I, after all, to venture into a world long shaped by the legends? I had no apprenticeship, no lineage in horology beyond a collector’s affection and a craftsman’s admiration. Yet, to my astonishment, responses came.

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I am grateful and humbled that my manufacturing partners, who are legends in their own right, are willing to work with me, showing belief in the first stage of my vision. I’ve taken no loans, accepted no outside capital. This journey has remained wholly my own—an act of creation sparked by memory, guided by legacy.

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Today, watches continue to serve not just as timekeepers, but as wearable works of art. We wear them for their lines, their mechanics, their tribute to function and form. I like to think, and I hope, that in crafting my own, I honor a quiet wish passed down from father to son—the wish that art and meaning endure. My promise to you, the Arion community, is my commitment to help the brand flourish by producing the most exquisite designs, not cutting any corners, and championing above all else purity, symmetry, and beauty. 

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-Eric Tillman, Founder