Dan Spitz and The Persistence of Time: Thrash Metal Pioneer Turned Watchmaking Legend
Metal heads unite! In this episode from the vault, we revisit our interview with Anthrax lead guitarist Dan Spitz, who left thrash metal to become one of the world's most acclaimed master watchmakers
Dan Spitz is a true pioneer in every sense of the word.
As the lead guitarist of legendary band Anthrax, Dan was one of the innovators who birthed the entire genre of thrash metal music. Anthrax is one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands, a group that also includes Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. He sold millions of albums, played on the world’s biggest stages, and saw his music influence legions of acts that would follow.
In 1995, as Anthrax continued to reach new heights, something changed. Dan realized his heart was no longer in it, so he quit the band without a plan for what was next.
Dan had been exposed to watchmaking at a young age through his grandfather, who owned a jewelry store where he repaired watches in New York’s Catskill Mountains. That childhood experience came rushing back when he stumbled across an ad for the Bulova watchmaking school. The pieces fit together as perfectly as the mechanics of a complicated watch, and Dan enrolled, graduating a four-year program in 18 months. Then he became the first American accepted to learn complicated watchmaking at WOSTEP, the iconic Swiss watchmaking school in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. His incredible second act was official.
Before launching his own company, he headed Chopard’s US repair operation. Today, with his own watchmaking facility, Dan is one of the world’s most sought-after master watchmakers. He’s the watchmaker who watchmakers go to when they can’t solve a problem.
In this episode, you’ll hear some of the details about:
Dan’s roots in music, and the journey to becoming a “rock star”
What led to his departure from the band that made him famous
How he became a serious watchmaker
The Rolex that only he and one other watchmaker have ever worked on
Why he doesn’t play, or even listen to, music anymore
And so much more.
You can learn more about Dan Spitz by visiting his website at www.delraybeachvintagewatches.com, and www.danspitz.com.
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