Spotlight: Tony Johnston
From the renowned Swiss watch valley, Tony Johnston is building his watchmaking craft and contributing to one of the world’s most respected traditions of precision and artistry.
Originally from Sydney, Tony completed high school and university in Brisbane before building a life and career abroad. Switzerland left a lasting impression on Tony after he first visited the country in 1997 while working with The Great Outdoors.
Wanting to fulfil a dream of living and working abroad, he later saw a job advertisement for a role with World Radio Switzerland, applied, and moved there in 2008. More than 15 years later, Switzerland remains his base.
As well as being an Emmy award-winning journalist and digital content producer, Tony is known for creating the Swiss D1VER® (1000m/300m automatic) and Sol® solar watch brands, with a focus on high-quality, sustainable, and “Swiss Made” timepieces. He began making watches just four years ago, and the craft has quickly grown into something special.
For Tony, watchmaking is more than a profession. It is, in his words, “a beautiful art.”
He says he feels honoured to be part of the Swiss watchmaking community and a member of the Swiss Watch Federation — while still having so much to learn.
