This just in from IWI -
IWI WATCHES LAUNCHES UNIQUE CELEBRATION TIMEPIECE, THE “NUMBER 12” AT THE END OF THE WORLD (MAYBE?)
Wednesday the 12th of December, 2012 is actually a rather interesting day. It will be another 1000 years until the date singularity of the 12th hour of the 12th day of the 12th month of the 12th year of the millennium reoccurs. Putting aside, just for now, the Mayan prediction of the end of the world on the 21st of December this year and also the fact that our Sun will, during this month, be perfectly aligned with the centre of our Galaxy (an event which itself happens only every 26,000 years) the uniqueness of this date has become the cause for much horological musing - given the influence of the celestial heavens on how we tell the time.To understand these musings a little better we should appreciate that the unique usefulness and significance of the number 12 has actually been recognized by mathematicians, scientists, meta-physicists and society in general since the beginning of recorded human history.
The usefulness of this number derives from its divisibility. There are relatively few small numbers that can be evenly divided into so many subsets. The number 12 can be evenly divided into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and twelfths. Obviously, multiples of 12, by definition, also retain this divisibility.This inherent divisibility is the reason that the number 12 and its multiplies are so intertwined within our society. We use it extensively for time logistics, we use it extensively for space logistics, in fact, we use it rather a lot.The common consensus is that the Egyptians introduced and lived by the first 12 month calendar. It was later modified by the Romans but still retained the 12 month format. The lunar cycle with its superstitious overtones and tidal effects was abandoned by both cultures with emphasis placed on the solar cycle.The division of the day into 24 (2 times 12) increments (hours) has been in existence since the beginning of timekeeping. This is followed by the designation of minutes (5 times 12) which equals 1/60 or 1 minute. In turn this is again followed by seconds (5 times 12) which equals 1/60 or 1 second.
At almost the same time as this unique event, December 21st 2012 marks the conclusion of the 5,125-year "Long Count" Mayan calendar which predicts, albeit rather vaguely, the “end of the World”. The prediction has seen the panic buying of candles and essentials in China and Russia and an explosion in sales of survival shelters in America. In France hundreds of believers are preparing to converge on a mountain where they believe aliens will rescue them.English luxury watchmaking company, IWI Watches Limited, in recognition of both of these unique events will launch a celebration watch, the “Number 12” on 12.12.12 at 12 noon. The “IWI Number 12” represents the significance of an event which happens once only every 1000 years with number “12” markings at all four quarters of the Britain Collection Stainless Steel watch (BSM312).
In recognition of the significance of the year, the British Stainless Steel case is hand engraved with Mayan serpent date symbols from the Dresden Codex, the ancient scroll which explains the Long-Count calendar thought by some to signify the end of the world. The IWI Britain Collection “Number 12” contains the finest quality chronometer-standard Swiss Automatic movement used in all of IWI Watches Gents timepieces. The IWI Watches “Number 12” will be produced in a limited number of 12 individually numbered pieces on 21st December 2012.
www.iwiwatches.com
IWI WATCHES LAUNCHES UNIQUE CELEBRATION TIMEPIECE, THE “NUMBER 12” AT THE END OF THE WORLD (MAYBE?)
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| Courtesy of IWI |
The usefulness of this number derives from its divisibility. There are relatively few small numbers that can be evenly divided into so many subsets. The number 12 can be evenly divided into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and twelfths. Obviously, multiples of 12, by definition, also retain this divisibility.This inherent divisibility is the reason that the number 12 and its multiplies are so intertwined within our society. We use it extensively for time logistics, we use it extensively for space logistics, in fact, we use it rather a lot.The common consensus is that the Egyptians introduced and lived by the first 12 month calendar. It was later modified by the Romans but still retained the 12 month format. The lunar cycle with its superstitious overtones and tidal effects was abandoned by both cultures with emphasis placed on the solar cycle.The division of the day into 24 (2 times 12) increments (hours) has been in existence since the beginning of timekeeping. This is followed by the designation of minutes (5 times 12) which equals 1/60 or 1 minute. In turn this is again followed by seconds (5 times 12) which equals 1/60 or 1 second.
At almost the same time as this unique event, December 21st 2012 marks the conclusion of the 5,125-year "Long Count" Mayan calendar which predicts, albeit rather vaguely, the “end of the World”. The prediction has seen the panic buying of candles and essentials in China and Russia and an explosion in sales of survival shelters in America. In France hundreds of believers are preparing to converge on a mountain where they believe aliens will rescue them.English luxury watchmaking company, IWI Watches Limited, in recognition of both of these unique events will launch a celebration watch, the “Number 12” on 12.12.12 at 12 noon. The “IWI Number 12” represents the significance of an event which happens once only every 1000 years with number “12” markings at all four quarters of the Britain Collection Stainless Steel watch (BSM312).
In recognition of the significance of the year, the British Stainless Steel case is hand engraved with Mayan serpent date symbols from the Dresden Codex, the ancient scroll which explains the Long-Count calendar thought by some to signify the end of the world. The IWI Britain Collection “Number 12” contains the finest quality chronometer-standard Swiss Automatic movement used in all of IWI Watches Gents timepieces. The IWI Watches “Number 12” will be produced in a limited number of 12 individually numbered pieces on 21st December 2012.
www.iwiwatches.com
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