Watchmaker with local ties partners with Purdue for watch collection

(INDIANAPOLIS) – A Batesville graduate has found a passion and unique niche as an independent watchmaker. 

Dr. Adam Fledderman specializes in creating handmade German-inspired watches that are influenced by his family’s deep roots in our area. 

He created the company Fledderman von Rieste which is based in Indianapolis and is now entering a new chapter. 

Fledderman has partnered with Purdue to design and make officially licensed automatic watches for the university.

The Purdue Boilermaker Special Edition Hanoverian collection consists of 100 watches across two models, with 50 pieces in each configuration.

“Every detail on this watch nods to Purdue: an hour marker shaped like the cowcatcher of the Boilermaker Special locomotive, a seconds hand modeled after Purdue Pete's sledgehammer, and a caseback engraving of the Motion P set into an Indiana barn roof,” Fledderman said. 

Similar to every watch assembled by Fledderman von Rieste, the Purdue collection is entirely made in Indiana. 

It’s part of the company’s Hanoverian platform which are designed for versatile everyday wear and lasting ownership. 

“This is a Purdue watch intended to be worn, not placed on a shelf,” Fleddermann said. “We hope it marks graduations, professional milestones, family celebrations, Purdue memories, and ordinary days that become important with time.”

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The partnership between the watchmaker and the university is something Purdue describes as a natural fit. 

“Fleddermann Von Rieste executes a level of tradition, craftsmanship and commitment that fans reflect on with pride.  We’re proud to have Fleddermann Von Rieste as an officially licensed vendor who represents the Boilermaker brand in the best way,” said Heston Hybarger, who serves as Purdue’s Senior Manager of Trademarks and Licensing. 

The watches are available directly through their website which you can access here. 

Fledderman graduated from Batesville in 1998 and his family has deep roots in Southeast Indiana including his family farm being recognized with a Hoosier Homestead Award.