The 1916 Company Talks: Aldis Hodge
It’s widely understood that Haute Horology requires singular focus, unshakable determination, and a lifetime of dedication. Yet, being a “multi-hyphenate” isn’t such a novel concept in the world of horology. In fact, being a versatile, business savvy, renaissance man was necessary for some of the earliest watchmakers, who made their living as farmers in the warmer months and turned to horology in the winter.
Aldis Hodge, entrepreneur, actor, designer, and horologist, is a modern-day multi-hyphenate, balancing a wide range of creative and business ventures with remarkable ingenuity. Tim Mosso caught up with Hodge on a recent visit to New York City to talk independent watchmaking, what it’s like wearing a variety of prestigious hats, and the future of the watch industry.
The two discuss how Hodge found his way into the world of Haute Horology at 19 years old and since then, has cut his teeth through rigorous study and experimentation.
Hodge shares about his success and the healthy amount of failure he’s encountered in the last 16 years—he considers the latter to be “universal lessons for success,” and the former, he defines as such:
“Success is not about selling a watch. Success is about accomplishing the watch, finishing it,” he said. “If I never sell one watch, having finished it and having it done in my eyes’ vision the way that I intend it to, that is true success for me.”
He talks about leaving a legacy of opportunity behind for his family and showing people who look like him the many, not-widely-visible avenues to finding success.
Together, Mosso and Hodge explore the launch of his burgeoning namesake brand, A. Hodge Atelier, and the coinciding virtual reality company he co-owns that aims to reinvent the watch enthusiast and collector experience in the virtual world.
For Hodge, designing, making, and collecting watches is all about passion and creating an equitable community.
“You can have one watch, but [if] you know that watch well, you know the history, you know the maker, you know what went into creating that thing and you’re passionate about it, you’re a collector.”
