A Little Travelin' Music!

Okay, yes. Yes I did review the BR 03-GMT not so long ago. But as the weather is warming up, and we're all getting our spring and summer travel plans finalized, I thought it might be worth another look, but in a different color way -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Yes, Bell & Ross makes two other GMT offerings. One in their Vintage stable, the other in their Urban stable. But having test driven the BR 03 - 93 GMT, I have to say that this is the pick of the litter. 

Courtesy of Bell&Ross

When I hear or read "Brand DNA" my eyes tend to glaze over (after they finish their sarcastic roll).  But when I wore the Instrument family's GMT, I have to say that "Brand DNA" is more than just marketing jargon. It actually does apply.

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

So let me leave you with another great traveler's guidance on travel -

"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you."

Anthony Bourdain

The Edition Neo T1

From Meister Singer -

Courtesy of MeisterSinger

This is a fun limited edition from MeisterSinger, the Edition Neo T.

Courtesy of MeisterSinger

Limited to 100 pieces. The Edition Neo T1 measures 36 mm in diameter, with a case of stainless steel. Under the hood the Sellita SW200 keeps things running on time.

Ordinarily when it comes to packaging, I could take it or leave it, but this packaging is sorta' cool -

The edition watch is delivered with a T1 model bus (size ratio 1:18) and packaging that has been lovingly designed down to the last detail, with which the detailed model bus sits together with the unique Neo in front of an atmospheric dune landscape.

The Wednesday Night Cooking Club - Dessert and Coffee

I have spent the last several weeks trying to summarize the evening that I spent with the Coolinary Cru. I mean, how do you describe the indescribable?

I can honestly say that everything truly amazing that I have experienced, at least as it relates to watches, Switzerland and France really began just before Thanksgiving of 2015. It was then that at the CAFFÈ SPETTACOLO that I first met Rod Hess, and in the ensuing years he has been kind enough to introduce me to his home town, and I have become somewhat attached to the local teams (in particular the football club) -

But in the process, he has also pointed the way to several "not known by the general press" bits of information that have helped me break some of the better stories on the "Blog Formerly Known as Tempus Fugit".

The past three years have been a bit of a blur for me, from running Tempus Fugit, being offered a big-time job in Watch Town proper, giving up Tempus Fugit, souring on watches and reporting on them... 

But something special happened during this trip. I can honestly say that I rediscovered my love and appreciation for watches, I reconnected with my friends, and in the process, in many ways I reconnected with myself.

So un grand merci to the Coolinary Cru for their kindness in welcoming me to the Coolinary Mansion. It was, and remains one of the best nights I can remember.

And I suppose that this is the best way to close this story. It is about the friends you have, and those who remain, as yet, unmet. A watch can tell time, but it can also capture a moment (literally and figuratively). I had picked up this green time machine at the Swatch Drive-In in Biel/Bienne by the Omega and Swatch campus before heading back to the station and CAFFÈ SPETTACOLO where this who adventure - not just this "Big Night", but in many ways this whole watch adventure really began -

The Blancpain X Swatch Indian Ocean

So that's it for now, and two quick travel tips from your old friend Henki -

• When you come to a fork in the road, take it!
• When someone gives you good advice, follow it!

Now go out and meet those as yet unmet friends!

A Trip Worth Taking

Stay tuned! A recap of my recent trip to Besançon is coming soon!

Super-Freak!

The FREAK [ S NOMAD ] -

Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin

From Ulysse Nardin.

I have had exactly three encounters with Ludwig Oechslin. They have all involved meals in Basel and La Chaux-de-Fonds - two lunches and one dinner. And I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I am one of the few members of the Fourth and Fifth Estate of Watch Town to have enjoyed a meal cooked by the master himself.

With that said, it is nice to see Ulysse Nardin reconnecting with the man who pretty much single handedly made them what they are by reinvigorating his seminal watch - the Freak.

I would love to share the pertinents with you, but UN in their "wisdom" provided a link to images and a PDF that defies simple use. So no offense gentle reader, but if you need more details you will need to look elsewhere ; )

Repeat - Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev - Vulcain Cricket Owner

When we think about the Vulcain Cricket, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is that it is considered the "Watch of the Presidents" (of the USA). In the process of updating my book on the Vulcain Cricket and the Presidents of the US, I came across this story that I shared over a year ago in a different outlet, and thought that I'd reheat it here -

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev - Vulcain Cricket Owner

With the passing of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev the last remaining link between the Watch of the Presidents and the leader of the Soviet Union has gone with him.

Vulcain is, of course, well-known for its connection to US Presidents - particularly those who wore their Vulcain Crickets regularly - Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon, and (then Vice) President Biden. 

As noted previously, the first US President to be presented a Vulcain Cricket directly from either Vulcain Switzerland or the Paajanen family in Helsinki, Finland was President Reagan. Curious to relate, just prior to that, a Vulcain Cricket found its way to the wrist of the leader of the Soviet Union. 

Credit Time Magazine International Edition

This first ran in the blog formerly known as Tempus Fugit on January 17, 2022 -

Yes watch fans, the Soviets beat the US to space with Sputnik, and Gorbachev beat any US President in being presented with a Vulcain Cricket, directly by Vulcain.

What has been missed, or simply assumed by most accounts of the Cricket and the US President connection was that the company had given the watches themselves. This was never the case up to this point. And it is quite intriguing that Michel Ditisheim, the son of the inventor of the Cricket would be the one to set up his father's invention on its second act on the world's geopolitical stage.

What Mr. Ditisheim explained to me was that the idea to give Mr. Gorbachev a Vulcain Cricket came about in what I often refer to as the "between time". 

This is the time when Vulcain had slowed down its production and became part of the  Manufactures d'Horlogerie Suisses Réunies SA, or MSR. This group was formed in 1961 and included Revue Thommen, Buser Freres,  Phenix, and later Marvin (in 1976).

Mr. Ditisheim with the help of Vulcain enthusiast (and member of the Swiss Federal Council) Pierre Aubert helped to arrange the  presentation of a Vulcain Cricket to the leader of the Soviet Union. The watch was delivered to the Kremlin in 1987, and then... nothing. Not a peep. Mr. Ditisheim could not have been blamed if he might have felt it was a failure as a PR plan. Three years passed, and  it wasn't until he went to his mailbox, and took out that week's copy of Time Magazine's International Edition (December 30, 1990, number 53) that he knew that the Vulcain Cricket had not only been successfully delivered, but had found its way onto Mr. Gorbachev's wrist! Vulcain never received any sort of acknowledgement or thank you. But there it was, the first ever Vulcain  Cricket presented to a sitting "president" by the brand itself, splashed large across the front cover of (at that time) one of the world's most important news magazines.

The Wednesday Night Cooking Club - Main Course

Two chefs, a coffee company sales manager, and a watch industry insider walk into a bar...

Above are three of the members of the Coolinary Cru, hard at work in the Coolinary Mansion's kitchen. You may remember the gentleman on the right from our previous installment. The two gentlemen on the left are both well-known in the Swiss restaurant world. 

Adrian von Weissenfluh has worked in some very impressive kitchens, and on this particular Wednesday evening he was tag-teaming the cooking duties with this guy -

Marcel Möri, noted regional restaurateur and medalist in the  IKA/Culinary Olympics.

The menu was simple, yet incredibly satisfying. Ribs and assorted grilled meat -

And then something magical, which chef Möri
referred to as "Swiss Jambalaya". Rice and shrimp and vegetables jacked with pastis and other wonderful things.

Needless to say, it was very good!

Tune in next time as we wrap this up.

A Watches And Wondering Repeat - You Show Up Late To a Presentation? You Get a Night in the Box!

With yet another action-packed edition of Watches and Wonders nearly in the can, and the whinging and whining of Mr. Dufor regarding "pirates" still hanging in the Lake Geneva winds like a stale fart, I thought I might re-heat this one. It seems no matter who is running the high and mighty Swiss shows, they continue to make the same mistakes, never really bothering to learn from the past. So Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you with this reprise -

"You Show Up Late To a Presentation? You Get a Night in the Box!"

So it was not without some mirth that I was acquainted with the rules that have been set forth by the SIHH by a few different people who are attending.  This was shared over various conversations, so I need to be clear that I am only going by what I was told by some of my fellow members of the Fourth and Fifth Estate who have attended in the past and will attend this year as well.  Apparently, each attendee is provided with a briefing document that spells out the "behavioral" expectations of those members of the press who are attending.  I have been informed it is known as the "Code of Conduct".  And from the way they described it, it did not sound too dissimilar from a dormitory's rules list for a parochial / military boarding academy.  I mean, these are grown men and women traveling from the four corners of the globe to attend YOUR (Richemont's) fair at no small personal expense, and you essentially provide them a briefing document because you need to make sure that their behavior and attendance meets YOUR standards??? 

Anyway, it immediately brought to mind one of my favorite movies about journalistic pursuits in the luxury industry - Cool Hand Luke.  I will be paraphrasing here, so take this with the necessary amount of salt.

Shamelessly borrowed from the World-Wide Infoweb

Captain: What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach. 

Translation, you are all grown men and women who have traveled thousands of miles at no small expense, but we can't trust you to act like adults.  So were going to create a set of rules that you better follow, or you'll be spending the next Watches and Wonders with that asshole at the Blog Formerly Known As Tempus Fugit!

Shamelessly Borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

Carr:  First bell's at five minutes of eight when you will get in your bunk. Last bell is at eight. Any man not in his bunk at eight spends the night in the box.
 
Translation, you better be on time for any event you are scheduled for.  And don't try that "I didn't have a watch" excuse!

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

Carr:  These here spoons you keep with you. Any man loses his spoon spends a night in the box.

Translation, you have agreed to attend ruinously expensive dinners and cocktail parties.  It would be REALLY BAD MANNERS if you don't show up...ON TIME!  Miss or be late at your peril...


Carr:  Them clothes got laundry numbers on them. You remember your number and always wear the ones that has your number. Any man forgets his number spends a night in the box.

   
Translation, suit, tie, formal business wear.  Interesting to relate, one member of the Fifth Estate was banned a few years back for not complying with the dress code.  Calls were made, hands were wrung, tears were shed, and he is back in the fold.  Let's hope that Men's Wearhouse has something in his size (extra lumpy).

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

Carr: No one'll sit in the bunks with dirty pants on. Any man with dirty pants on sitting on the bunks spends a night in the box.
 
Translation, Richemont and the SIHH is paying for a few nights accommodation for some of you (WHAT THE F*&K?), and not for breakfast and taxes. And for the rest of you, there might still be room at the YMCA, or you can sleep on a park bench.

So thank you for spending your time and your money to cover our brands - make sure you follow the rules, and enjoy your stay!

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

It's About To Get Really, Really, Really...Bad

"Disease and deprivation stalk our land like... two giant stalking things."

Rowan Atkinson as The Black Adder

Needless to say, the shit's about to get real - yet again.

While my more well heeled erstwhile colleagues in Watch Town's Fourth and Fifth Estates are sipping fancy cocktails in Geneva and figuring out how to pack the more desirable of the branded swag into their suitcases, yours truly has been reviewing the "Butcher's Bill". Long story short? If the word around the campfire is accurate, summer camps for Swiss kids are going to see a sharp decline in enrollment as moms and dads who work in Watch Town are about to have a fair amount of unexpected free time on their hands.

Cats and Kittens, to quote that other great commentator on the Watch Business, one Huggy Bear -

"On the road of life, one has to pay tolls"

And it would seem that the boys and girls calling the shots in Watch Town continue to have that one fatal flaw - they keep forgetting the not so distant past. And I can only assume that is why they so blindly repeat it.

Buckle up, Buttercup, it's about to get bumpy.

The Wednesday Night Cooking Club - Part Deux

"When someone gives you good advice? Take it!"

Henki

 So there I was, in an unlikely location, trying to get a better handle on just what this place was. The gentleman before you is Philippe Scholl. A man who knows more than a bit about coffee, and as I would discover, more than a bit about a lot of things, and could probably teach a master course on embracing life and making each day his masterpiece.

I think he could tell that I was a bit befuddled, so after he offered me another glass of wine, I asked - 

"What is this place?"

He smiled and told me -

"This is the Coolinary Mansion, where the Coolinary Cru meets."

In addition to a RIDICULOUSLY amazingly equipped kitchen, there was (as previously mentioned) a dining area complete with large screen tv, a tasteful bar (not one to attract bar flies and day-drinkers), and a vibe that I really can't put into words. Well, maybe I can put it this way - it is the type of place that you would want to hang out with your good friends, sharing moments together, telling stories, truly enjoying life, and making even more amazing memories. It is a place for friends, and friends yet to be met.

"So how did this whole thing start?"; 

"Well, we were all in a bar..."

I explained that it is entirely possible that is how the original Continental Congress came together leading to the formation of the United States ; )

It was still rather hard to get my head around. A top class kitchen of professional standards, a tasteful dining room / club area, a clubhouse that you felt instantly welcomed and at home in. And I didn't want to push. I was, after all, a guest in this place.

So I headed back out to the parking lot cum bistro and was sitting with Rod. He was on the phone giving feedback to someone who had participated in one of his pitch training sessions, when Philippe leaned out the kitchen window, and informed us that Marcel had called, and wanted to come over and cook, and maybe we should stay for dinner?

I looked at Rod, a smile slowly spread over his face. He asked me if I wanted to stay.

"Well, when someone gives you good advice? You take it!"

And Alea iacta est - the die is (or was) cast, and we started talking about what might be in store.

We have finished the amuse-bouche. Stay tuned for the next course!

The Kiel Sport

From Laco -

Courtesy of Laco

The case is of stainless steel and measures 43 mm in diameter. The movement is described as the  Automatic movement Laco 500, which is based on the Sellita SW 500.

Hours, minutes, seconds, date, and chronograph.

The price is listed at US $ 2,890.00 not including the shipping costs.

Gino's Dream

From F.P. Journe -

Courtesy of F.P. Journe

F.P. Journe announces a special watch named in honor of a friend and partner to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the élégante. The élégante Gino's Dream features an electro mechanical movement, housed in a 48 mm bejeweled titanium case. Per F.P. Journe -  Titanium Flat Tortue® case set with 52 baguette-cut ceramic glass stones.

The BR 05 SKELETON BLACK CERAMIC

From Bell & Ross -

This is one of three new black ceramic models. It is priced at $ 9,700

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Here are the pertinents -

• MOVEMENT

  Calibre BR-CAL.322 Automatic mechanical. 54-hour power reserve.

• FUNCTIONS

  Hours, minutes and seconds.

• CASE

  41 mm wide. 11.2 mm thick. Satin-finished and polished ceramic. Screw-down crown. Crown guard. Sapphire case-back with 360° oscillating weight.

• DIAL

  Skeletonised with black tinted transparent panel and rhodium-plated movement. Applique indices filled with white Super-LumiNova® (green glow). Skeletonised hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova® (green glow). Rhodium-plated seconds hand.

• CRYSTAL

  Sapphire with anti-reflective coating.

• WATER-RESISTANCE

  100 metres.

• STRAP

  Ceramic.

• BUCKLE

  Steel folding buckle with black PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) finish.

Watches and Wondering - Hoist the Jolly Roger!

"We call them pirates. But that’s okay,”

These bon mots were attributed to Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour regarding his take on the brands who display outside of Watches and Wonders. 

A little background for those of you just tuning in,,,

Around this time of year, those journalists who have never been able to get a press pass for Watches and Wonders, or have been outright banned because they are not sheep tend to say the same thing. Some under their breath, some out loud in multiple different languages - 

        FU#$ WATCHES AND WONDERS!

The CEO of the most powerful watch brand in the world is, apparently, displeased that other brands who are locked out by the show's organizers are finding a way to be seen. 

I am sorry, but I call bullshit. Watches and Wonders, which apparently is also (excuse me while I die laughing) a foundation claiming to be operating for the good of the watch industry (not just the big dogs on top like, I dunno, Rolex?) is the most  exclusionary (not exclusive) event going. 

As the president of the Watches and Wonders Foundation it is really hard to take Mr. Dufour's words too seriously. More on this later today. But for now, let's all enjoy this tasty bowl of irony soup.

The Promenade

From Czapek -

Courtesy of Czapek

Ambitiously priced at 18,000.00 CHF 

(EXCL. VAT)

Limited to 100 pieces, the case is of stainless steel and is water resistant to 50 meters. If I have read the website information correctly 20 of the 100 are available, so I would assume that there are at least 80 punters out there willing to drop just south of 20,000 CHF.

The movement is Czapek's Calibre SXH5.

The Wednesday Night Cooking Club

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it!"

Yogi Berra

Travel is amazing in the ways that it can open you up to new experiences, new people, and new ideas. And my most recent trip proved that beyond any doubt!

About three weeks ago I was in France and Switzerland visiting some watch brands and taking in FC Biel / Bienne's game -

No, I was not a new signing!

I then traveled on to Besançon, France to check out the Lip HQ and get reacquainted with one of my favorite places -

More on that in posts to come ; ) 

After planes, trains, and automobiles I was back in Biel / Bienne -

It was my last day before heading home, and I texted my friend Rod to see if he was near the station, and he said he could be at the cafe by the station in about 30 minutes, I said no problem, I could hang out. But then he texted back and suggested I could come to his "cooking club", which was about a 10 minute walk away. I said sure - imagining I would be walking to some adult education center with a bunch of guys and gals wearing white aprons working on perfecting their schnitzel recipes. 

After a few wrong turns, I found myself in front of what appeared to be some sort of apartment building with a storefront on the ground level. 

My phone rang - 

"Are you here?"

To which I said -

"I think so..." 

trying the door, it was locked.

"Come around through the alley..."

So I walked through the alley, took a right...

And there in what was the parking lot, was a fairly upscale backyard dining set-up with barbecue grill.

I was offered a glass of wine, invited to sit down, and thought to myself that this will be a nice place to hang out until Rod and I head to dinner. 

I was told to put my bags inside. I walked through the door, and had my second surprise -

Essentially, it was an industrial kitchen, kitted out with professional grade stoves, ovens, refrigerators - you name it.

I then took a left hand turn into what turned out to be...

A dining area that could accommodate at least 16 people.

And now I was really confused, and also intrigued. So I went back to the kitchen and asked Philippe if he could tell me more about this...

And in our next episode, I will fill you in on what was, pretty much without any doubt, one of the most fun, unexpected, and fantastic nights that I've ever had in Switzerland (and pretty much anywhere else for that matter)!