A few minutes with the new head of Glycine - Stephan Lack

Courtesy of Glycine

James Henderson -  What was your first watch?  Was it a gift?  Is there a story behind it?


Stephan Lack -  My first watch was a Tissot with a pure, clear design and a striking satin bezel, a really unique watch.  I really wanted to have just this watch, I got it in 1972 from by parents when I passed my high school examination, and that watch is still with me!




JH - When you were a boy, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?


SL -  I wanted to be either a soccer star or Formula 1 race car driver!




JH - Where did you go to school?  What did you study?


SL -  I grew up and went to school in Berne, Switzerland.  After I completed my military service (I was a tank company commander), I studied economics and political science at the Universities of Berne and Geneva.

JH - A bit about yourself please.  Many people out there are under the somewhat mistaken impression that you are a newcomer to the watch industry, what were you doing prior to this?

SL -  My father is an engineer and pilot. He repaired all of his watches himself!  This is where I had my first contacts with the inner life of a watch!  I was really impressed.  After university I joined the marketing department of Unilever where I learned the difference between a product and a brand.  In 1993 I took my first steps in the watch industry as the assistant of the president of Rado, a member of the Swatch Group.  I was also in charge of the marketing communications and got an excellent overview of what happens with an international watch brand. The next 10 years I spent in the distribution of exclusive watch brands in Asia.   I spent three years in Greater China, three years in South East Asia and four years in Japan.  At that time I was in charge of some really great swiss brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Parmigiani and I learned a lot about the watch business.  When I came back to Switzerland I was running an international consumer goods company for several years.  But at the end I couldn't resist going back to the watch industry.   

JH - So in taking over Glycine, you are taking the helm of a family run company - what are some of the challenges, and some of the opportunities that you see?

SL - Glycine has a really great history of almost 100 years including an almost 60 years history of the leading Airman family.  Glycine is a fine, authentic brand with a high level of expertise and a large following of fans and collectors.  I believe in the importance of continuity - that means the product will remain the hero of our brand.  

On the other hand, I think it's a time sensitive necessity to do more for the product environment: smart "niche marketing communication" is crucial.  We are definitely a niche brand, but it's time to tell more about Glycine to our potential consumers outside the mainstream market.

JH - So, what is your favorite Glycine model?

SL - The watch I am wearing right now is the Airman 17, this watch has a striking, unique design and represents the Airman look very well. 

Courtesy of Glycine

From the novelties I definitely like the new SST Chrono  with the orange bezel.

Courtesy of Glycine

JH - Who else out there is making watches that interest you?

SL - Jaeger LeCoutre, Audemars Piguet, Ulysse Nardin or niche

brands like Vogard.

JH - What do you like to do in your down time?

SL - I am happiest spending time with my family and my friends or playing football (soccer) with my son.

JH - What do you see as the future of Glycine?

SL - Glycine will remain "the pilot's choice" with a strong Airman collection at the heart of the brand and an additional 3 to 4 families like Incursore, Lagunare or the Combat.  Glycine remains an independent niche brand and also helps give more independence to watch retailers.  So although we can make nice watches, we also have to talk about them. Therefore we have to invest more time in a taylor-made, smart marketing message in order to reach a larger audience of consumers who respect the product more than just a  brand ambassador.

JH - If you weren't doing what do you think you might be doing?

SL - I would probably buy, sell and collect classical cars.

GRAHAM Silverstone Tourbillograph Line

Graham introduces a new member to their line.  This is the Graham Siverstone Tourbillograph.

GRAHAM is delighted to introduce its new Silverstone Tourbillograph Line.

The Silverstone Tourbillograph has been developed in the vein of the GRAHAM DNA, with a powerful design and a rich technological content.

This is a combination of a tourbillon and a chronograph made to withstand extreme conditions.

The movement offers at the same time the beauty of one of the best see-through Tourbillon cage and the resistance of a military watch.

www.graham-london.com

The Cushion Diver from Angular Momentum

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

A new Cushion Diver from Angular Momentum!

Here's the scoop - straight from Angular Momentum:

Cushion Diver

Three-body cushion shape 1.4435NCu Staybrite steel case with crown protectors, alternating polished and brushed, solid screwed on Staybrite back, counterclockwise rotating bezel with green "Email Lumineuse" markers, screwed-in Staybrite crown with green "Email Lumineuse" cabochon.  Pure, solid green "Email Lumineuse" dial, Staybrite hands with Email Lumineuse "Plique à Jour", green for the minutes and blue for the hours, black structured rubber strap with Staybrite buckle, historical (new old stock) self-winding movement FHF 908, case caliber 43.70 mm, 20 ATM. Limited Edition of 50 pieces. (Completely manufactured in the atelier)

www.angularmomentum.com

Eberhard has a new North American Distributor

This just in -

Manchester, NH May 25, 2011 – Mr. Mario Peserico, General Manager of Astor Time Ltd., worldwide distributor of Eberhard & Co. Swiss watches, is pleased to announce signing of an Agreement with Swiss Watch Consultants LLC to become the Exclusive Agent for the Eberhard & Co. brand for the US, Canadian and Caribbean markets. “The Agreement is part of a development project aimed at increasing the brand’s name recognition in the North American market as well as a collaboration based upon a mutual passion that will be a major tool utilized to communicate the Eberhard & Co. brand’s values”, said Peserico.


Eberhard & Co. is the manufacturer of the iconic “Chrono 4®” family of chronographs as well as the classic “8 Jours” eight day power reserve (both patented mechanisms).

Courtesy of Eberhard

According to Mr. Peserico, Astor Time Ltd. is “delighted to have completed this arrangement with Swiss Watch Consultants LLC because it reunites the company with Mr. Norm Kushner, president of Swiss Watch Consultants LLC, a long time veteran of the Swiss watch industry who had previously worked with the Eberhard & Co. brand. “Our goal with the brand will be to reach the perfect fusion between tradition and innovation through Eberhard & Co.’s creations thus satisfying the contemporary man’s evolution with elegance, style and a relentless attention to detail”, continued Peserico. The reintroduction of the brand will begin immediately to take maximum advantage of the holiday selling season this year. “Our growth pattern will be pragmatic in an effort to maintain the Eberhard & Co. brand’s prestige and maximize profits for our retail partners”, said Kushner.

Courtesy of Eberhard

In addition to the Chrono 4® and 8 Jours families, Eberhard & Co. also features the Tazio Nuvolari collection of chronographs as well as the Extra-fort collection of classic designs and the new women’s collection Gilda.



Swiss Watch Consultants LLC is a multi-brand distributor of fine Swiss watches manufactured by independently owned Swiss concerns. For additional information, please feel free to contact Swiss Watch Consultants LLC at 603-206-5195.


http://www.eberhard-co-watches.ch/

Angular Momentum's Classic Urushi Dress Watch

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum has something new - the Classic Urushi Dress Watch.  
Here are the particulars straight from the source:



Three-body 1.4435Ncu Staybrite steel case with mirror polished finish, 

stainless steel back with hand engraved medallion with floral motive, 

double curved sapphire crystal, polished hands, case caliber 36.00 mm, 

historic (new-old stock) hand-winding movement caliber FHF 96, 

18000 A/h, 48 hours power reserve.

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

The dial with "Bâton" indexes appearing from the sand imitating "suna hada" 

ground entirely hand made of black "Urushi" Japan lacquer.

www.angularmomentum.com

A sunny day in Santa Barbara with Guillermin Mollet

And so, to work...

Dino Zei Aeronauta from Anonimo

In keeping with the Dino Zei theme -

Courtesy of Anonimo

And here are the details straight from Anonimo -


Aeronauta - mod. 11019


Movement
Automatic movement on base ETA 2893-1, 21 jewels, 4Hz. Power reserve 40 hours, colimaçon finish on movement and rotor; specific Anonimo rotor.


Functions
Hours, minutes, continuous seconds; universal hours disk indicator (world hours); date window at h. 3.



Watch Case
Manufacturing in three components, totally carved from a stainless steel bar. Screw locked bezel and back cover with external Thorx screws (9 screws) to ensure better tightening. Bayonet quick tightening crown, screw locked tube. Screw locked secured strap. Flat superior sapphire crystal. Visible joint for bezel seal. Back cover featuring a decentralized window to allow viewing of the movement balance. Sand-blasted and satinated watch case and bezel manufactured in a special bronze alloy, diameter 43.40 mm, maximum diameter at the protection crown tool 46.00 mm. Alloy UNI5275 belongs to a group of alloys (bronze-aluminium-iron-nickel) employed in hi-tech and high mechanical resistance and anticorrosion naval constructions, like high performances propellers, propellers pitches, torpedoes flanges. Polished and satinated AISI316 Plus stainless steel back cover and side plate.



Water Resistance
20 ATM



Dial
Minute scale applied ring. Applied DINO ZEI logo. Hour indexes treated with luminous coating for superior day/night readability. Central scale for 24 hours day/night function; rotating disk with indication of the representative airports of the corresponding 24 time zones. Hour and minute hands treated with luminous coating.



Wrist Strap
Manufactured in washable leather “Opera Kodiak”, water-resistant. Exclusive DINO ZEI line stainless steel buckle.

www.anonimo.com

A few minutes with Dino Zei

Naval Officer, watch designer, writer - dare I say it... Renaissance man!  And now a few minutes with Dino Zei -


James Henderson - What was your first watch, was it a gift?  Is there a story behind it?

Dino Zei - It was a gift and there is not a real "history behind" it.  It was a gift from my parents, for my First Communion.  Unfortunately I don’t remember the brand.  I only remember how important that watch was for me.  I used it for many years, in the conviction that the first watch is received for the First Communion, the second after high school and these two may be followed by a third one, purchased with your own money.  When I was with Panerai in the 90s, we came out with two Panerai models based on Panerai models of the ‘30s, I learned that there are a lot of people out there who like owning a higher number of watches.

JH - Florence has become a bit of a new contender for watch making. While it would be easy to simply point to Panerai - and as the man formerly responsible for Panerai it would be easy to, there must be more to it - what are your thoughts on this?

DZ - Florence is traditionally rich in terms of  “craftsmanlike” companies.   Prestigious in terms of geniality and initiative.  These are companies that invent, design and produce products, many of which fall within the “luxury” market.  The international level of prestige that Florence enjoys has its roots in our Renaissance, rendering these products extremely valid in terms of sales.  Watches are obviously present among these different product sectors.  For them more than anything else, “luxury” means originality, beauty and high quality.

JH - When you were a boy, what did you want to be "when you grew up"?

DZ - I wanted to be a Navy Officer (War Navy) when I grew up.  I always wanted to do that, without any specific reason.  Perhaps I had a romantic idea of the Navy…I was born in Viterbo, a city far away from the sea and lacking any maritime tradition or vocation.  I was eleven years old when my dad took me to the sea.  And I saw it for the first time in Civitavecchia, where my father and I went by train from Viterbo.  The memory of that day is linked to the intense smell of rotten algae that is often present at the sea.  The expanse of the horizon impressed me but did not surprise me, nor did it move me.  Thinking about my life, I can say to have always loved the Navy deeply without ever being in love with the sea, which for many aspects, I have never appreciated.

JH - Before Anonimo, you were with Panerai, what did you do in the time in-between?

DZ - After having left Panerai I wrote a book: “La Panerai di Firenze” (Panerai of Florence), which in its second edition was titled “La Panerai in Firenze” (Panerai in Florence).  Starting from the ‘30s, Panerai carried out intense and profitable study, design and production activities in sectors with high technological content and created many products, all valid, original, some extremely complex and innovative.  But operating in the military sector and with highly secret products, it has always adopted the lowest possible profile.  For this reason, Panerai was mentioned only for watches in texts and debates (also current texts): those of the ‘30s and those of the ‘90s. I didn’t think this was acceptable and I decided to write at least about the most significant aspects of all the activities carried out by Panerai until the end of the last century - a report on what Panerai did in different periods and with different men.  In the monthly magazine “Orologi”, issue no. 248, of May 2011, a review of my book is included. 

JH - And prior to that, you were in the military, correct?  How did that experience prepare you for the world of watch manufacturing?

DZ - In the military sphere, time has an absolute authority.  Military life is always marked by time.  Military activities are always programmed and possibly carried out in line with different timelines, with such diligence that for someone not familiar with it, it may appear maniacal.  But it is essential for all those complex activities, like military ones, for which success depends on the orderly performance of various related actions. For this reason, the watch must be in the mind of each well trained operator, in addition to his wrist, and it must inspire and control the actions instinctively.

JH - How did you come to join Anonimo?

DZ - After having written the book that I previously mentioned, I realized that I wanted to continue to deal with watches.  Dr. Massacesi, creator and back then owner of Anonimo (and an admirer of Panerai), proposed to me to create the “DINO ZEI” brand with which to design and create a line of Anonimo watches, and I accepted.

JH - I know that it is not always easy to choose a favorite child - but if you had to, what is your favorite Anonimo?

DZ - Anonimo watches are all beautiful, because they are designed with care, reflecting on each detail. One of the most beautiful, in my opinion, is the “DINO ZEI”, “GLAUCO” model, automatic, with box in bronze and blue dial.

JH - Who else out there is making watches that interest you?

DZ - The “Panerai Workshops” of Richemont Group.  It has continued to produce “Panerai” watches in large scale, without giving up the main characteristics and high quality in terms of precision, reliability, readability of the dial, charge autonomy, etc…I’m thankful to the Richemont Group for having brought Panerai watches to an important position on the market.  The “Luminor” watches in particular have witnessed heroic deeds and do no have a low-profile aspect, as I said in my book:  "that makes them unusual at the wrist of a woman and unsuitable to that of man of weak thoughts".  I always felt they represented a product that was easy to sell for who has the necessary resources.  Therefore, the Richemont Group was right.

JH - If you weren't doing this, what do you think you might be doing?

DZ - I can’t think about activities other than the many activities I do.  All interesting, some prestigious.

JH - What is a typical day in the life of Dino Zei?

DZ - I’ve been leading a very secluded life for many years now, after I’ve lost my wife.  I have undergone a surgery with consequences that have remarkably limited my practical activities. I had the opportunity to institute two annual scholarships in the memory of my wife, to contribute to the medical research on the pathology that affected her.  I continue dealing with this with great pleasure.  Moreover, I read a lot. I barely write.

JH - There are a lot of current and former military people starting to get involved in the watch industry - what advice do you have for folks such as these, making what must be a fairly significant career change?

DZ - The advice that can be given to people that quit a military career to operate in the industrial and commercial sphere depends, in my opinion, on the sector in which they will operate and also on the specific activities that they will carry out.  I can only recommend to them that they operate without ever forgetting the principles of deeply felt honesty that has been taught to them, and always try to carry out their work in an ethically correct manner, taking pride in their work.

Ikepod Pop-Up Store

Answering the eternal question - "Where can I buy it?"
Ikepod announces a pop-up store in the City of Lights.

Courtesy of IKEPOD

Here's the scoop from Ikepod -
Ikepod has teamed up with watch retailer Antoine de Macedo for the

opening of its first pop up monobrand store in Paris.

Courtesy of IKEPOD

Ideally located on the left bank of the city and neighboring Antoine de Macedo
work shop and boutique, Ikepod’s pop up store is a beautiful 50 squares meter
space which officially opened its doors on May 19 2011 and will remain open
until July 31 2011.

Courtesy of IKEPOD

Behind the elegant Parisian façade Ikepod’s collection of timepieces and
hourglasses by Marc Newson are being showcased while the making of
the hourglass, artfully captured by the photographic lens of Philip
Andelman has been put together into a unique photographic exhibition.

Ikepod

45 rue Madame

75006 Paris

France

+33142844808

www.ikepod.com

Hanhart and the Race of Truth

This past Friday, the Tour of California made its way to Solvang and the time trial stage was held.

Of course these days everything is computerized, electronic, digital... soulless. And with the breaking news of another possible scandal involving doping, I found myself longing for the time of the Badger - Bernard Hinault, and the Cannibal - Eddie Merckx. The idea of focusing on a single race - such as the Tour de France would have been laughable to these legends. They rode cyclocross and track in the winter, rode the Spring Classics, and would often compete for at least two if not all three of the Grand Tours in a given year - the Giro, the Vuelta and the Tour.

In thinking back on the Cannibal's hour record, I think this must have been the ultimate Race of Truth. No aero bars, no special aerodynamic helmets - just him, his bike and the clock. There is a certain purity, a certain magic in this.

And in reflecting back on the ultimate time trial - the hour record in Mexico City, I found myself reaching for this Hanhart stop watch. 

Single button, sixty-second 30 minute. Simple, elegant, timeless. Truly designed to measure time.


Come back Merckx and Hinault - we miss you!

Anonimo and Axel Pons

Courtesy of Anonimo

This just in from Anonimo - a new collaboration between the Florentine watch maker and Spain's Grand Prix motor cyclist Axel Pons.


Here's the scoop - straight outa' Florence -


Florence, May 2011 – Italian watchmaker Anonimo has announced its collaboration with Spanish Grand Prix motorcyclist Axel Pons. The twenty year-old rider will be the new face of Anonimo in Spain.


Axel Pons took up racing at the age of 14. The son of two-time 250cc world champion
Sito Pons, he is just as keen a sportsman as his father, and his performance has
been impressive from the very beginning. In 2008, a serious accident sidelined him
briefly, and two years later he was injured again in an accident. But ever since, he
has been back on track to achieving his ultimate dream: to follow in his father’s
footsteps and become world champion.

In Anonimo, Axel Pons has found a reflection of what drives him.
The company is unique in its commitment to precision, determination and timeless,
classic style. Axel Pons explains: “Precision is important in motor racing. Riders have
to be highly accurate in their steering, and the motor must be tuned to perfection.
It is the details that make the difference. Anonimo shares this philosophy: they make
watches that will never let you down, even under the most extreme conditions.
I have been an Anonimo fan ever since I found out about them!

Courtesy of Anonimo As brand ambassador, Pons wears his favourite Anonimo watch, the Militare Vintage. When racing, he will wear the Anonimo logo on his helmet and suit. In sport and in daily life, Axel Pons represents a vision that is highly complementary to Anonimo’s corporate values. For that reason, they couldn’t have found a better ambassador for Spain. As Anonimo’s sales director David Cypers explains, “Axel Pons enjoys a challenge, and always strives for excellence. We are honored that he has agreed to work with us, and we hope that his new Anonimo Militare Vintage will prove a hardy companion in his efforts to make his dreams come true! Pons is not only a talented rider: he is also a stylish young man. And for an Italian brand such as us, with design and style high in our priorities, that is a big consideration.” WWW.ANONIMO.COM

Zeno

Courtesy of Zeno

Something about this Zeno calls to me!  The combination of the numbered dial, and the really, REALLY cool hands.  I had the great good fortune to meet Patrik-Philipp Huber at BaselWorld this year, and I have to say he is a really great guy who really cares about both Zeno and his customers.


Check out all of Zeno's offerings -

www.zeno-watch.ch

Bremont's P-51 Mustang

Courtesy of Bremont

This just in from Bremont -

Passion for aviation is at the very core of Bremont and to celebrate the upcoming launch of the P-51 Mustang Limited Edition watch, we have become the Official Sponsor to the Fighter Collection’s “Flying Legends Airshow” which is being held at Duxford Aerodrome near Cambridge (UK) on the 9^th – 10^thJuly.

This is one of Europe’s finest airshows bringing together an amazing array of historic aircraft and classic warbirds. The airshow is even more special for us this year as the iconic “Fragile but Agile” P-51 Mustang will be shipped over from the USA in order to fly in the world famous “Horseman” routine. This is the very aircraft that we are utilising parts of for the limited edition P-51 watch which will be released later this year.

www.bremont.com

Glycine Airman SST Chronograph

Courtesy of Glycine

This is Glycine's Airman SST Chronograph.  A new addition to the Airman fleet.

In Glycine's own words -

Movement
Caliber:	ETA 7754 automatic
Functions:	hours, minutes, seconds, Chronograph 60s, counters 30min and 12hrs, date display in window, central 24hours hand
Size:	13 1/4"
Jewels:	25
Power Reserve:	46 hours
Hz:	4/28'800 vibrations per hour
Finish:	yellow gold coated oscillating weight on ball bearing, decorated "Côtes de Genève", engraved by an airplane. Bridges rhodium coated and decorated "perlé", visible screws in blue finish.
Case, Dial & Hands
Material:	stainless steel
Diameter:	43mm without crown
Height:	15.30mm
Finish:	satin/polished
Waterproof:	10 atm
Back:	solid steel screwed
Glass:	double domed sapphire, AR
Dial:	black with SL, blue dégradé with SL
Hands:	nickel with SL
Crown:	screw-down
Special features
inner revolving 24 hours ring 3rd timezone served by slit-headed crown at 8h special execution for the purists of 24-hour watches with two timezones: featuring an arrow-tipped 24hour hand on the 24-hours dial only.
Leather strap
Material:	calf
Colours:	black, brown, grey
Width:	black, brown: 22mm horns / 22mm horns grey: 22mm horns / 20mm buckle
Buckle:	belt www.glycine.ch

Spring is truly here

Now to be clear, the nest in this picture blew onto our patio yesterday afternoon.  No birds were disturbed, etc. in the creation of this photograph.

And the good news - it appears that the birds have moved quickly to make a new nest, so hopefully they will make their deadline.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie

REPOSTED - Due to an outage with BLOGGER on Thursday, a few posts were lost and now are being reposted.

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

As a kid, I loved to play with Legos. Taking all of the many pieces and trying to put them together. As I got older, I moved on to puzzles. I have a hard enough time trying to put together a 100 piece puzzle. So I try to imagine working with identical stones - let's say diamonds... I can't even imagine!

But that is just what the dream-weavers at Girard-Perregaux have done.  It takes more than 700 painstakingly-careful hours of work to create the gown that cloaks this horological confection.

But this is more than just another pretty girl.  Her heart beats through the Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with gold bridge.  Brains and beauty!

Here are the specifics courtesy of Girard-Perregaux -

Case in white gold set with 155 baguette-cut diamonds (12.97 ct)

Dial: set with 106 baguette-cut diamonds (4.20 ct)

Crown: set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds and 1 rose-cut diamond (0.58 ct)

Dimensions : 32.90 mm x 38.40 mm

Crystal: non-reflective sapphire

Case-back: secured with four screws

Water resistance: 3 ATM



Girard-Perregaux GP09700-0006 movement

Mechanical with manual winding

Calibre: 12’’’

Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

Jewels: 20

Power reserve: minimum 72 hours



Grey satin strap

Pin buckle: white gold, set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds (0.56 ct)

or

Folding clasp: white gold, set with 14 baguette-cut diamonds (0.62 ct)



www.girard-perregaux.ch

A few minutes with Giles English



Courtesy of Bremont

 James Henderson - What was your first watch, was it a gift?
Is there a story behind it?


Giles English - The first mechanical watch I had was an original Omega Seamaster which was my grandfathers, but when I was 18 I was given my fathers 60's Breitling Navitimer. This was a watch he had won in a flying competition. Naturally having a father who was into his watches, we were lucky in our choice and we always had a good pick of pilot watches. I always loved the classic 40's Smiths that he never seemed to mind me wearing.



JH - When you were a boy, what did you want to be "when you grew up"?


GE - I grew up wanting to be an engineer and I wanted to build things. I studied Engineering, but whether it was planes, boats, bikes or watches I was fascinated by them all.




JH - Where did you go to school, what did you study?

GE - I grew up in Cambridge and Norfolk and went to a Cathedral School before I studied Engineering at Southampton University



Courtesy of Bremont


JH - Neither you or your brother were previously in the watch industry, is that correct? What was the spark that motivated you to launch your own watch company?


GE - We grew up with watches and clocks being around with a father who loved them. As a Cambridge PHD Aeronautical Engineer, his view on life was that a good engineer can build anything and he did just that. I still fly a plane that he built and have sailed around the world in boat that he built. After his death in a plane crash with Nick, our lives changed and whilst we were running a business restoring old aircraft we decided to start Bremont. We felt that if we gave it enough time and put the right team together we could build a watch as good as anyone else in our price point.


JH - Did you ever consider doing something else for a living?

GE - I tried a year in the City before I realised I was never going to be any good at that, but without watches we would be back building aircraft



JH - So now a few years on, how is the Bremont brand shaping up?

GE - Nothing happens quickly in the watch business and although it does not seem like we have been doing it for long it has almost been 10 years from when we first started. The exciting thing is that people are realising the detailed engineering quality that we are building into our watches and that seems to be resonating with them. There is no doubt that for the quality and specification that our watches offer, we are delivering a very good value product. That is why we have seen the considerable growth over the last few years.



JH - Thinking back to the start, were there ever nights where you woke up in a cold sweat, wondering if things would work out?


GE - There are still many nights that I wake up in a sweat. Building something so complicated and trying to deliver it on time is not an easy thing to be able to do, and I am sure there are easier ways to make money. Normally the stress comes when Nick has screwed up again (smiling).



JH - What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?

GE - Development costs are very high and it leaves very little amount of money for marketing. We are competing against large companies with huge marketing clout and that is our challenge. Notwithstanding this, I think customers are bright and see through the marketing noise.



JH - I know that it might be hard to choose, but is there a favorite Bremont model for you?


GE - The ALT1P for me sums up a perfect aviation watch, but I think the ALT1-C cream is still a great signature piece for us. If I was going for a non chronograph then the U2 or MB, I am wearing the U2 Stainless Steel at the moment which I really love... there are too many watches to choose from, and I am lucky I have a selection!


JH - Who else out there is making watches that interest you?


GE - Naturally it depends on style but I love what someone like Roger Smith is doing, as it sums up high-end hand made watch making built in a British way.


 JH - If you weren't doing this, what do you think you might be doing?


GE - Flying a old aeroplane somewhere.



JH - What is a typical "day in the life" of Giles English?

NE - The aim is to get into the office in the UK or Switzerland and spend as much time as possible discussing manufacturing and new products with Peter Roberts (Technical Director) and Nick. We like to be very hands-on, but there is often too much flying around the world seeing retailers and meeting with the press. We are lucky to work with many great Flying Squadron and ambassadors so seeing them is always a pleasure. My wife hates the fact that no two days are ever the same for me.




JH - Apart from flying, what do you like to do in your down time?

GE - I like my old cars, being in the workshop, playing sport but also both Nick and I are music lovers and guitar collectors. Our band is pretty poor but great fun! 



JH - So what's it really like working with your brother? Are you two generally on the same page?


NE - The great thing about working together is that we are definitely on the same page. I know what he is going to like and vice-versa which makes designing so much easier. I don't know how big companies design by committee and ever get to produce something. We have always found that you have to design something we like and hope other people also like it as well, we would be rubbish at designing fashion watches!




Courtesy of Bremont


JH - What advice do you have for anyone thinking of following your lead?

GE - You must make sure that you live life to the full. Running your own business is very, very hard work and each day has its highs and lows. It is a marathon not a sprint but anything is possible so go and do it!

WWW.BREMONT.COM





Barbecue

It's all about the timing...

And it doesn't hurt to live in an "okay" place -

The Green Atmos

One of my all-time favorite films is The Red Violin.  If you have not seen it - I BEG YOU - treat yourself! It is a visually breathtaking movie, and the story is one that will appeal to any true watch collector.  The story follows - yes - a red violin, one that was made by an Italian master instrument maker hundreds of years ago, and the journey that this violin takes through space and time.

I would like to introduce you to the Green Atmos -

As is often the case, I stumbled upon this treasure at Ali's place.  Ali, sadly, has moved from Santa Barbara to a new home around two hours north.  But I stopped by after work for a coffee, and one thing led to another.

As near as I can tell, Wendy and I are now at least the third owners of this beautiful time-machine.  We have seen a bit of the service history as it has been recorded on the underside of the packing box lid.

It may still need a service - early days yet, but all things being equal I can live with that.

And as to why I have dubbed it the "Green" Atmos -

I am not sure if this is the original box or one that somehow joined the box over time.
Ours is a Jaeger-LeCoultre, and the box is labeled "Le Coultre".  Better, brighter pictures
in the morning!

Defakto Inkognito PVD

Courtesy of Defakto

Raphael just let me know that the new Defakto Incognito is now available.
MOVE FAST these are very, very limited!
The PVD version is limited to 20 pieces.

www.onehandwatch.com

Jaeger-LeC​oultre Reverso: Online Personalis​ation Service

Jaeger-LeCoultre is now offering an online personalization service:


Reverso - Capturing your magic moments

In 2011, the year of the 80th anniversary of the legendary
swivel watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to increase
Reverso personalisation options.

Keener than ever to fulfill all wishes and ideas, from the simplest to the most
sophisticated, the Manufacture is offering numerous possibilities of
engraving, gem-setting and enameling to make each Reverso as unique
as he or she who wears it.


Let your inspiration rise simply browsing through the online personalisation service -

http://personalisation.jaeger-lecoultre.com/