From Father to Son:

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My story spans three generations—an inheritance not of wealth, but of wonder and artistic pursuit. It begins with the quiet influence of a father whose passions became the compass for his sons. My grandfather was an artist, and my father is a devoted fan of the fine arts and vintage timepieces. Arion is a tribute to this lineage of successive paternal inspirations.

Harkening back to my father’s time in the Army, when military bases offered unparalleled access to Rolexes, Omegas, and other watches, it has been his habit to gift timepieces for life's milestones. 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 in wearable art.

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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. Though I began as a fan of sport watches, I gradually developed a profound appreciation for the sublime elegance of vintage dress watches. These were not just instruments to tell time; they were intricate works of art crafted to endure and delight. They rose above the endless debate of form versus function, exhibiting both in abundance. The attention to detail, impassioned craftsmanship, and reflection of character left an indelible impression. They have stood the test of the very time they are meant to keep.

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The Collector’s Conundrum:

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Still, like many seasoned collectors, I grew all too familiar with the trials of vintage ownership—the fragility of the mechanics, the elusive parts, the constant fear of damage during servicing. I longed for something that captured the soulful artistry of vintage design but wore the armor of modern, uncompromising engineering.

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To pass idle time, I began musing over subtle details from early-to-mid-century vintage icons, sketching my own designs. 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 to solve this collector's conundrum.

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I had renderings drawn and began sending my vision into the void of manufacturer inboxes—expecting little more than silence. Who was I, after all, to venture into a world long shaped by 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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The Alliance of Ateliers:

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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 this first stage of my vision. Arion is not merely a brand; it is an alliance—a curation of specialist excellence from names like Chronode and Voutilainen & Cattin. 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, enduring works of art. I hope that in crafting Arion, 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, cutting no corners on the technical foundation, and championing above all else purity, symmetry, and enduring beauty.

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-Eric Tillman, Founder