For twelve years, Dan Spitz was the lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Anthrax. Then he decided to switch careers. Spitz became a watchmaker. And not just any watchmaker, but a master of the craft educated at one of the finest watchmaking academies in the world.
John Reardon interviewed Spitz about his career change and what it means to be a watchmaker. When asked if music and watchmaking have anything in common, Spitz said:
It so similar it’s not even funny. Learning to play a heavy metal guitar is a never-ending skill. It is painful to learn. That’s what’s cool about it. Same for watchmaking– it’s an unending skill to learn. How good do you want to be? Can you go beyond the 50% and become one of the best 1%. When you are at a school like WOSTEP, you will quickly see who the 1% is. In music, you see the 1% too. Reaching the top is something that can’t be taught and can’t be bought. You have to be an artist to be the best– either in watchmaking or music. You need to do it for the love.