The AXIS Perception

From Angular Momentum -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

This is the latest from Martin Pauli's Angular Momentum - and I have to be honest, I'm kinda' crushing on it!

I have been advised by Martin that this is a watch designed to be seen, and for those of us (yours truly included) with aging eyes, it is a welcome, highly visible watch.

And when the lights go out?

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

This is a wonderful time machine, and quite reasonably priced at $980.

The case is of stainless steel and measures 42 mm in diameter. The movement is ETA's 2824 self-winding (automatic). You want this watch! I know that I do!

Why Settle for Ordinary?

I have been a big fan of Angular Momentum / Manu Propria since even before I started Tempus Fugit.

And I have written about Martin Pauli's work a fair bit.  In truth, the point of this blog is not to write about my personal collection, but there are three items of his creation that I personally own and continue to get great joy from so I thought I would share them.

Holding pride of place is the  Splendor Sangre -

This is from Mr. Pauli's Splendor collection.  The case measures 43 mm in diameter, the movement is a NOS hand winding movement. The dial is red lacquer and it is stunning.  It is warm, passionate, vibrant. And truly not every one's baby, but I adore it. And no, it is not political ; )

Apologies for the dust on the crystal, but that is what it actually looks like when it is actually on my wrist and actually being used.

A few years ago, Mr. Pauli diversified his offerings and began crafting pens.  And before you ask, no, these are not your typical pens.

Now it is important to understand that this is one of the earlier efforts - which I think is fantastic!  But like any true artist working with his hands, Mr. Pauli is constantly in pursuit of perfection and owing to this, he continues to push the envelope providing even more beautiful offerings with each pen he creates.

His latest creations can be found here -

http://www.manupropria-pens.ch/welcome/Collection.html

And the last item is another story altogether. We have all heard of "wicked stepmothers" thanks to the folks at Disney, but I'm here to tell you that they do exist, although not necessarily in far off lands, but as near as Jackson, TN.  A pocket watch of museum quality that would make a wonderful addition to any institution's permanent collection that will probably never see the light of day again.  Promised to others it is held on to with grasping, clutching, unyielding hands, it will sadly likely end up in a pawnshop, hocked by a needy hillbilly relative of the aforementioned step mother. 

But sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and create some new traditions. So step one was to find a pocket watch - which I did. A NOS model from the 70s/80s, branded Bucherer (as in the jewelry store, not the brand of today).  I showed it to Mr. Pauli at BaselWorld in 2014. I wanted something with the Martin Pauli aesthetic, but a bit "different".  And together we came up with the idea of doing the dial in blue with stainless steel indices and hands. And the result is truly unique, truly wonderful.

So this one will be passed on to a future member of "Team Henki", and will hopefully not end its days next to a tin of Skol in some backwoods meth lab.

Clearly, I'm not bitter ; )

I really treasure these three pieces because they remind me that this is the way things used to be, and frankly the way that they could still be.  Back before "sincerely authentic" heritage stores popped up and "fauxthentic" became the norm with hipster-hucksters trying to sell us a nickel for a dime.  And perhaps I am tired of all the bullshit being foisted on us in the name of "authentic" when I have no proof to balance against that claim.

The world needs more Martin Paulis out there, doing real things with their hands, creating mechanical treasures powered not only by gears and springs but by imagination. Taking the time to create unique, wonderful, timeless - and DURABLE watches and pens that will last more than just one lifetime. And I for one hope he keeps continuing to make wonderful things that have true quality, true beauty and true value. It helps balance all the "artisanal hyperbole" originating closer to home.

12 Days of Christmas Part Deux...

So six down, and six to go.

Number 7 - The Bell & Ross BR 126 Officer Black.  I got to wear this watch in both silver and black and I say this without fear of later contradiction - I LOVE IT!!!  And more than that, I will double down and say that the people working for Bell & Ross USA - in particular Ms. Castro in PR/marketing, are REALLY AWESOME!

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Santa, I have been most particularly good this year!



Number 8 - The Metro from NOMOS Glashutte

Although on the PR side they are sometimes as warm and fuzzy as "Hessian underwear" (and that is not exactly praise) they do make a very fine watch, the Metro -

Courtesy of NOMOS Glashutte

Number 9 -  I have unyielding respect for a man (or woman) as steeped in the crafts as Martin Pauli of Angular Momentum/Manupropria, so Number 9 is getting 2 entries -

Up first would be one of his magnificent fountain pens -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum/Manupropria

And to go with it, a watch that I greatly admire -

Courtesy of Martin Pauli

As Clint Eastwood frequently reminds me when I start getting eyes bigger than my bank account, "A man's got to know his limitations" - but maybe someday, and Christmas is as good a time as ever to dream.

Number 10 - JEANRICHARD CABINET DE CURIOSITÉS -

Courtesy of JEANRICHARD

This is the SHIT THAT KILLED ELVIS.  What is so cool about it is that it is not made of some magical compound that might be referred to as "Unobtainium".  No, this is aluminum with a unique finish to make it special.  The dial design is wonderfully unique, and singular of design.  The movement is not the "mystical manufacture - bitch goddess" of "in-house lore".  Nope, industrial, functional and perfect.

Number 11 - The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional "Tintin".

Regular readers of this blog will know that OMEGA North America views me with the same love and affection that one might view a tapeworm.  But all personal feelings aside, it is a beautiful watch from a company that makes beautiful watches.  So as the holidays are the time to put grudges aside (even if you are the one on the receiving end) credit where it is due!  I would be thrilled to strap this little chronographic bijoux on and head to the moon with Captain Haddock.

I will, however, take a pass on the OMEGA fragrance for now.  

Courtesy of OMEGA

And for my 12th Day?

I would hope that we could all take 1/100th of the energy and money that we spend on things that we don't really need, and perhaps do something nice for someone or something that could really use the help.  Even if it is only an hour of your time, you'd be amazed at what it could do.

Happy Holidays!

The Sparkling Digital from Angular Momentum

And next up is this one -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Sparkling Digital  -   UNIQUE PIECE

Polished three-body case made of 1.4435NcU Staybrite steel, 42.00 mm, single curved sapphire crystal with aperture at 12 o‘clock for digital time display by revolving hour disk  (Patent CH989688). The sapphire crystal decorated on its reverse with 0.450 ct TW VVS diamonds and diamond splitters. mechanical self-winding movement. 100 meters water resistant

Price CHF 3‘800.- USD 4‘300.-

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