Artifice

Regular readers of the blog - brace yourself.  And no, I have not taken leave of my senses, and have not been drinking heavily.  But enough's enough.  The following post contains some blue language and some true opinion.  Anyone prone to offense, I suggest a different watch blog tonight.

The Pride of Baltimore from Ulysse Nardin

Now being married to a Canadian I can tell you that for the most part my wife and I do not experience a lot of "geopolitical" conflict.  Having said that, our one point of disagreement has been in the "result" of the War of 1812.

Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin

Franck Muller's Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar

An easy start to your Thursday morning - no reading required!

Franck Muller's Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar in "moving pictures".

A Dream in Blue from Girard-Perregaux

This just in from Girard-Perregaux -

Girard-Perregaux supports the “Blue Forest” artistic and environmental project presented at the 55th Venice art Biennale 

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

Girard-Perregaux,the swiss manufacture of haute-horlogerie is pleased to sponsor the“BlueForest”arts and environmental project, conceptualized by the artist and architect Lucio Micheletti and selected for the Venice art Biennale to be held from June 1 to November 24, 2013.

Presented with Galleria ca’ d’oro, this performance of land art, “Blue Forest”, hopes to raise visitors’ awareness of environmental issues through art.  The trunks of the trees are wrapped in blue cloth, creating an eye-catching temporary landscape.  This blue color found in nature but highlighted in a specific context impels the viewer to ask questions about the message the artist wanted to give.  The trees’ appearance is modified in a simple way and the hope is to impress the viewer with how little it takes to change the environment, and how simple actions can save it.

“Blue Forest” transforms a scene in spectacular but short-lived fashion, respecting the ecological balance of the place, and using natural materials. 

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

The work of Lucio Micheletti sheds light on the changes impacting the environment, notes Michele Sofisti, CEO of Sowind (Girard-Perregaux and JEANRICHARD). my hope is that by supporting this initiative, Girard-Perregaux will inspire people on the necessity to protect our planet.  

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

The “Blue Forest” project joins some of Girard-Perregaux’s other similar responsible partnerships such as its association with Susan and David Rockefeller to raise awareness of the need to protect our environment and particularly our oceans, the Foreverglades limited edition with artists cracking art Group working to preserve the everglades in Florida and recently its support of the “Tohoku Manufacture Area” located in the Fukushima region in Japan that supports local artisans in their reconstruction efforts.

Lucio micheletti’s pen drawings inspired by “Blue Forest” will be showcased in the windows of Girard-Perregaux sales outlets and customized to represent the views of the host cities. 

Chime for Change with Gucci Sync Collection

Courtesy of Gucci

Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry is pleased to announce that its newly released GUCCI SYNC watch has been selected to support CHIME FOR CHANGE, the recently launched campaign for women’s and girls’ empowerment founded by Gucci.

URWERK's Mechanical "Smart Watch" - the EMC

Courtesy of URWERK

Since its inception in 1997, URWERK have made their mark in the world of haute horlogerie with innovative displays and indications, in particular their signature satellite complications. In parallel with this, the watchmaking team has always taken pleasure in exploring new avenues and meeting new challenges.

I Haven't Forgotten

So, watch industry, I haven't forgotten -

Can we agree that Human Trafficking is wrong?  Are you ready to come together and do something as a group?

I have a commitment from a few brands.  And forgive me for calling you out, but I need to know who else is in?

No RSVP required -just a desire to do something that contributes to something bigger than all of us.

I AM IN - ARE YOU?

You know where to reach me.

The East India Company Set from Arnold & Son

A magnificent tribute to the fabulous East Indiamen:

the East India Company Set from Arnold & Son



Courtesy of Arnold & Son

And the Winner is...

Bell & Ross is pleased to announce that Eddie Watkinson of New York is the winner of the Flight Instruments Video Contest held from February 28-April 9^th.  Fans on Facebook were invited to share an inspirational short film about the Bell & Ross Flight Instruments Collection, and Bell & Ross received dozens of entries from all over the world.  

Courtesy of Bell & Ross



Gucci Extra Large Automatic Diver

Something new from GUCCI -

Courtesy of Gucci

JS Watch co. Reykjavik Announces a Fine Watch Art Benefit Auction

This just in from JS Watch co. Reykjavik -

Courtesy of JS Watch co. Reykjavik

A Few Minutes with Peter Roberts

Real talent is a truly rare thing. It is not something that just happens. It takes that initial spark, added to a devotion to learn, improve and grow.  Throw in decades of study, and teaching future watch makers...

like I said, it doesn't just "happen".

This BaselWorld marked the arrival of the Grand Complication 5 from Peter Roberts, and he was kind enough to spare me some time to talk about it, and a bit about himself as well.

And now, a few minutes with Peter Roberts -

MAGNUS/II from Angular Momentum

I woke up this morning with a pleasant Sunday morning surprise from Martin at Angular Momentum -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Happily Ever After - "Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties"

We live in a throw-away society - and I hate that! Regular readers might recall this image from a previous post. This was a much maligned hand-wound, 17 jewel SEIKO wristwatch that I found on EBAY. I suspect that this poor fellow had been bashed, and then shunted into a dresser drawer.

Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk Only Watch

This is Girard-Perregaux's contribution for Only Watch.


Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux



The Pilot 42H Bronze from ARCHIMEDE

This just in from ARCHIMEDE -



Courtesy of ARCHIMEDE

ARCHIMEDE offers the Pilot 42 H with a case made of Bronze.

ARMIN STROM TECHART Collection

This just in from ARMIN STROM -

Courtesy of Armin Strom

Winter Nights

During a too-hot snap here in Santa Barbara, I was awaken from a fitful sleep to these fantastic images from Patrik of GoS -

Courtesy of GoS

 I know we're not even officially in Summer yet, but I am already dreaming of Winter Nights...

GRAHAM Chronofighter Oversize Superlight TT

This just in from GRAHAM -

Courtesy of Graham

URWERK's New Website is Live!

Courtesy of URWERK

Come one, come all!  The new URWERK site is live!

Eberhard's Champion V Time Only

Granted, a lot of the excitement at BaselWorld was devoted to the Champion V Chronograph.

Courtesy of Eberhard 

But never let it be said that Eberhard is only about chronographs!

Love or Money?

Okay, hopefully I've got your attention.  For the next little while, I want to take as many chances as I can to talk about people not only in the watch industry, but in fashion, etc. who are in it for love, not for money.

Today I will kick things off with watches - and as is often the case here at Tempus Fugit we turn to Lucerne and ochs und junior.

Courtesy of ochs und junior

Something Special with Baume & Mercier

Something special is happening with Baume & Mercier this evening -




Courtesy of Baume & Mercier

Bespoke from Edelberg

This just in from Edelberg -

Courtesy of Edelberg

Bespoke is the latest collection of precision writing instruments from Edelberg.  Available in Gessato (Pinstripe) or Pied de Poule(Houndstooth), the Bespoke is offered in both roller ball and fountain pen versions.

For the Man who has Everything - Some News from Bell & Ross

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross officially launched its Flight Instruments Collector’s Box at the concept store Colette in Paris last week.    

"Bauhaus Party" - STOWA Partitio

So one of the best kept secrets of BaselWorld is the small basement area where STOWA sets up each year to show their watches.

The Reconvilier HERCULES “Golf Master”

Société Horlogère Reconviler AG offered something unique for this BaselWorld -   

Courtesy of  Société Horlogère Reconviler AG    

Measuring up with ilcentimetro

One of the most coveted and talked about items at BaselWorld this year WASN'T even a watch!

Wrapping Up - 15 Days with the NOMOS Glashütte Tangente

So 15 days have come and gone and it is time to sum up the Tangente.

When a Brand Goes South - the Emperor is Naked

So I've had a few weeks to think about it, and I am still baffled by the approach a few brands took.  Some brands decided not to show this year, other brands said that they weren't showing, but then "popped-up" without really bothering to tell anyone.  Brands that made huge announcements, but in fact turned out to be little more than "Potemkin Villages"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village
In one instance, a brand that I always looked forward to covering set-up in a tiny little shoe-box booth in Hall 2, staffed with one person, and a steady stream of pissed-off distributors and retail partners lined up to give them a reality check.

So while everyone was talking about who had the most impressive stands, watches, etc. I think as watch fans, it might behoove us to consider that the landscape is about to change VERY RAPIDLY.

To some extent, the big boys will always be around, but when we consider the strength of a brand, we also have to consider the strength of the PEOPLE behind that brand.  This covers more than just personality and charm.  Financial strength, and fiscal common sense go hand in hand.  I for one have seen the rapid decline of three brands that had a real chance to do something in the coming years, but now seem to have completely lost the plot.

We tend to get excited about a watch, a celebrity endorser, or a dynamic CEO, but that is not exactly a sustainable business model.  So to that end this year was the first in my recent memory where it became abundantly clear that in many instances, the Emperor was not wearing new clothes, but was in fact naked.

So in the coming months, I for one am hoping that perhaps there will be some "reality checks".  Brands that are promising will need to start delivering.

Scenes from a Monday at BaselWorld - Corum

So right up there with BaselWorld PR super stars is Corum North America's Florence Delorme. A HUGE thank-you for taking the time to show me what's new!

HL2.4 - Grade 5 Titanium Version from Hautlence

This just in from Hautlence -

HAUTLENCE is delighted to present a new timepiece from the Concepts d’exception collection named HL2.4, grade 5 titanium version.

Courtesy of Hautlence

TWCO Sea Rescue Diver - Yellow!

This just in from TWCO -

Courtesy of TWCO

Introducing: the Sea Rescue Diver Yellow!

A GMT from Aquadive

Courtesy of Aquadive

43 mm wide, 49 mm end to end.

ICKLER Helps Watch Lover's do-it-themselves!

The Ickler's are famous for their watch cases.  So well known in fact, they are contracted by several well-known watch brands to produce and provide the cases for their watches.

Courtesy of ICKLER

The Clifton Goes Global

43 mm of brushed satin-finished stainless-steel goodness!  These two new Clifton models add one of my preferred complications - a GMT/Second timezone.

Courtesy of Baume & Mercier

When a Strap is More than Just a Strap - the Tangente

You might recall in my last post I was referencing the NOMOS Encyclopaedia as to "Things that NOMOS customers most frequently complain about"? It was regarding the straps that NOMOS uses with their classic watches - crafted from Horween Shell Cordovan. For those of you who were perusing these when they first hit our shores here in the US back around the "turn of the century", the watches came standard with ostrich straps (at least the ones that I saw). But time moved on, as it inevitably must, and Horween Shell Cordovan became the standard.

The "complaints" cited:

World Alpinist Facebook Challenge

This just in from Alpina -

World Alpinist
facebook Challenge

A Cinderella Story - Part Deux

Courtesy of Jaermann & Stübi

This is the Queen of Golf from Jaermann & Stübi.  

RAYMOND WEIL and Labyrinth Theater Company

This just in from REYMOND WEIL -

Courtesy of Raymond Weil (Photo Credit: KineticMediaNYC.com

RAYMOND WEIL celebrated their partnership with Labyrinth Theater Company with the sponsorship of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s new play “A Family for All Occasions” which premiered at the Bank Street Theater in New York City.

YES - Raymond Weil!

Okay, I am lucky.  When I go to Rayond Weil I get TWO amazing people to show me around the both and share the latest creations!

The Tangente - Truth in Advertising

So now a little over a week into my review of the NOMOS Glashütte Tangente  what I have been particularly impressed with has been the simple joy I get in wearing this watch. 

The Queen Anne Automatic Chronograph from West End Watch Company

This is one of West End Watch Company's BaselWorld releases, the Queen Anne Automatic Chronograph.

Courtesy of West End Watch Company

All Hail the Royal KonTiki Two Time Zones!

Courtesy of Eterna

Now I don't want to mislead anyone, but with the announcement of this newest member of the KonTiki family I almost senses that the team in Grenchen had made a new watch just for me!

A Real Superhero from Marvin and Fratello Watches

Fratello and Marvin teamed up to offer a truly heroic limited edition -

Courtesy of Marvin

Delta - something to write with!

So BaselWorld is FULL of writers!  Granted, most of us go straight to our lap top, but there is something reassuring about the feel of a pen in your hand.  So tonight I give you Delta -

Courtesy of Delta

This is the Anni' 70.  I had the great good fortune of seeing some of  these beauties in person at Style of Zug.  Don't get me wrong - my penmanship is a scandal - but a pen like this inspires me to do better!

What I Would Have Bought at BaselWorld

Contrary to what some forum posters would have you believe, you really can't buy anything during the BaselWorld fair - unless of course you leave the confines of the fair and enter some of the watch stores around Basel.

To this end, I'd like to share with you what I would have bought if I could have.

Girard-Perregaux -

A bi-compax piece of Swiss-made deliciousness.  This is a watch Mr. Macaluso himself would have worn!  

A Publicly Traded Company, or a Family Dynasty?

Okay - no hidden agenda.  I LOVE many things about the SWATCH Group.  OMEGA continues to capture my imagination - my BaselWorld experience will be shared later today.  Tissot's Navigator re-release is fantastic, and my ONLY watch purchase this year was -

CT Scuderia at BaselWorld

So sometimes you need to see something in person, hold it in your hands to get a good sense of what's what. So I finally got to lay hands to some of the CT Scuderia watches.

Concord at BaselWorld

Well, it's taking some time but I'm getting caught up on.  Concord is up today.

Andy Hampsten

So the 2013 Giro D'Italia has begun.  It is 25 years since Andy Hampsten rode out the ONLY US winner in the history of the race.

http://m.si.com/2905478/during-a-snowy-stage-of-the-88-giro-andy-hampsten-rode-into-history/

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that some watch company out there is ready to step-up and help commemorate this!

We need to remember things like this -