Portrait: In Conversation With Volan's Diederik van Golen
Diederik van Golen, the founder of Volan Watches, has made a notable return to the watchmaking scene after a hiatus of several years, during which he was involved in the yacht industry. His new venture, Volan, is centered around unique keyring watches inspired by vintage designs, particularly a tyre watch from the 1950s. The first batch of watches has already been shipped to customers, and van Golen expresses pride in the response received so far. His passion for mechanics, cars, and yachting seamlessly ties into the aesthetics and functionality of the watches, reinforcing a lifestyle that embraces leisure and nostalgia. Looking ahead, van Golen emphasizes that Volan will not be a one-product brand; he envisions expanding the line while maintaining the central philosophy of escape and connection to motion and travel. He seeks to create products that resonate with enthusiasts of watches, cars, and boats, aiming for a balance between storytelling and utility. Future developments may include variations of the Type One watches and even wristwatch designs that embody the essence of vintage automotive and luxury yachting without resorting to gimmickry.
