This year, Revolution turns 20. Two decades of chronicling watches, people and ideas have given us a front-row seat to a remarkable story: how an age-old craft has both preserved its soul and reinvented itself for the 21st century. To celebrate, we’ve chosen over 100 names and milestones that, for us, define the era so far. From leaders to watches, you can see the whole list here.

I write this after just having visited the Vallee de Joux, witnessing Marc Hayek create horological history with Blancpain’s double grand sonnerie, the first striking watch that has the ability to switch between the Westminster chime and its own signature melody for the quarters. This watch is the perfect expression of his dedication to advancing horology at the very highest level and constantly seeking out technical challenges to overcome.

What you may not know is that Marc Hayek is also the gentleman behind the magnetic pivots used in Breguet’s 10 Hz watch, the Expérimentale 1. This is technology that he spearheaded. From what I understand, during testing at the Concours International de de Chronométrie, this watch, which was not in official competition, tested better than anything ever in their history, proof positive that the technology Marc pursues has a real benefit to authentic watchmaking. To me, that is Marc — a person who doesn’t seek recognition. Behind the scenes, very quietly, with his typical humility and discretion, he is always forging ahead and conquering new summits.

At Blancpain, he has consistently demonstrated this incredible spirit with timepieces like the Tourbillon Carrousel, the first watch to combine both mechanisms with their rates averaged through a differential. In particular, it is in the revival of Fifty Fathoms that he lets his experience and passion as a diver shine through to create  the most complex dive watch ever created — the Fifty Fathoms X Fathoms.

On top of all of this, he also happens to be remarkably kind human being, who loves nothing better than a great conversation and a moment of real friendship and conviviality.