Reviving a Forgotten Legacy | Hakim El Kadiri on the Rebirth of Elka Watch Co.

What does it take to bring a historic watch brand back to life? At the HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2025, WatchDNA had the privilege of sitting down with Hakim El Kadiri, founder of the modern Elka Watch Co., to discuss the remarkable revival of a name that first appeared in Amsterdam nearly 150 years ago. Originally founded in 1877, Elka built a reputation for producing pocket watches, precision timepieces, and tactile watches designed for the visually impaired. After disappearing from the market in the 1970s, the brand was reborn in Switzerland in 2022 with a renewed vision—combining heritage-inspired design with contemporary watchmaking. In this conversation, Hakim shares the story behind Elka’s revival, the challenges of resurrecting a historic brand, and his philosophy for creating watches that feel authentic, timeless, and meaningful. 💬 In this episode, we discuss: ⌚ The fascinating history of Elka and its origins in Amsterdam 🇨🇭 Why the brand was revived in Switzerland decades later 🎨 Balancing heritage, authenticity, and modern design 🚀 The challenges of launching an independent watch brand in today’s market 🌍 What makes Elka stand out in a crowded landscape of microbrands and independents 🔮 The future vision for Elka Watch Co. For collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate independent watchmaking and meaningful brand stories, Elka is a name worth discovering. 🎥 Hosted by WatchDNA | Where Time Connects Us All 🔗 Read more: WatchDNA.com/Elka 📲 Subscribe for more: YouTube.com/@WatchDNA 🔗 Discover more: ⌚️ WatchDNA.com 📲 Follow WATCHDNA: ● 📷 Instagram: @WatchDNA ● 🐦 Twitter/X: @WatchDNA ● 👍 Facebook: WatchDNA ● 🎬 TikTok: @WatchDNA  Stay tuned for more interviews, brand discoveries, and behind-the-scenes stories from the global watch industry. #ElkaWatches #HakimElKadiri #IndependentWatchmaking #SwissWatchmaking #WatchDNA #HongKongWatchFair #WatchCollectors #MicrobrandWatches #Horology #TimeConnectsUsAll