The Classic Urushi Dress Watch

From Angular Momentum -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

I am a very great fan of Angular Momentum.  I own one, I have had a pocket watch customized, and am also the proud owner of one of Martin Pauli's fountain pens.  The thing to understand, is that Mr. Pauli is a creator, not merely an assembler.  All of his pieces give testimony to his creativity and attention to detail.  And the Classic Urushi Dress Watch is no exception.  

The case is a wonderfully sized 36 mm in diameter, comprised of three parts and of 1.4435Ncu Staybrite stainless steel that is mirror polished.  The case back is also stainless steel bearing a hand engraved medallion with a floral motif.   The crystal is double curved sapphire, the hands are polished.  The Classic Urushi has a classic movement under the hood - a new-old stock hand-winding movement, caliber FHF 96.

The show stopper is the dial featuring "Bâton" indexes that seemingly emerge from the "suna hada" dial that imitates the look and feel of sand, and is achieved through the use of "Urushi" Japanese lacquer.

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!

Negoro Timepiece

This is the latest from Martin Pauli at Angular Momentum

Courtesy of Angular Momentum/Manu Propria

Here is the scoop straight from Martin -

Splendor Sangre from Angular Momentum

This just in from Angular Momentum -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum & Manu Propria have added a new sporty watch case type to its collection, the "Splendor".

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

The design of the "Splendor" watch case is characterized by a slight pillow shape, the angular down-turned lugs, the crown protection elements and its rounded bezel. The watch case is entirely mirror polished, the back alternately polished and circular satin finished.

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Each case are entirely made in the atelier by hand and hand operated machines such as the Pantograph milling machine and the lathe.

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Splendor Sangre
Three-body, 1.4435NcU "Staybrite" steel case, mirror polished, single curved sapphire crystal,
fire red lacquered dial with polished "Bâton" indexes. Historical hand-winding movement,
case caliber 42.00 mm, 20 ATM.

www.angularmomentum.com

www.facebook.com/manupropriatime

Passion!

Back to the beginning - it all began with a pocket watch.

My Grandfather was many things - but beyond all he was passionate.  And he gave a nine year old kid  a pocket watch.  And in that one capricious moment - I was hooked.

This evening, my "Guardo Camino" (that means road guard) spoke to me about passion.  He is someone who time, and time again helps me remember that it takes more than gumption to make it.  Be passionate, but don't be an asshole (sorry, I've broken my lifelong rule against profanity for this blog).  Dan is the Jedi Master of the watch industry.  He's been there, and he's done that.  When I'm feeling cranky after three days at BaselWorld, he'll say - do it or don't, but quit whining.  So I am always reminded - do better, or at least try to do better - and quit whining!

So this one is for you Dan -

Direct from the very passionate fellows at Angular Momentum & Manu Propria -

Iron Pocket Watch or "The Beauty of Iron surfaces"

For many years I have been fascinated by beautiful iron objects made by Japanese artisans in the past centuries.

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

Different from other cultures of the world, Japanese artisans have found an ideal method to prevent iron and steel from rusting while using the rust itself as a protective surface. Doubtless that the creation of these beautiful surfaces have met the aesthetic sense of the culture. This method has intensively been executed on sword craftsmanship. 

Inspired by this method I have made a pocket watch with an iron case.

"Tetsu" 

An iron pocket watch case, 55.00 mm diameter, rust sealed, sapphire crystal, fitting for cord gold doublee, gold doublee stainless steel back with sapphire crystal, gold dust and black urushi lacquer on the reverse, historical hand-winding movement caliber FHF 96. The dial is of urushi lacquer imitating "same" ray skin.

          Completely hand made in the atelier 

www.angularmomentum.com

LONG LIVE PASSION!

Angular Momentum & Manu Propria - AXIS Handwinder

This just in from Angular Momentum -

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

And here are the details, straight from Angular Momentum -

AXIS Handwinder

Three-body Staybrite steel case with polished bezel and satin finished sides, polished down-turned lugs, curved 3.00 mm spphire crystal, historical hand-winding movement caliber FHF 96, 17 jewels, 18'000A/h, 48 hours power reserve, black lacquered dial with luminous hour markers, hours shown by Revolving Disk with polished metal numbers, luminous minute hand, leather strap, case diameter 42.00 mm. Completely hand made in small serials in the atelier in Switzerland

Courtesy of Angular Momentum

www.angularmomentum.com

A New MANU PROPRIA Artisan Timepiece Case

Courtesy of Manu Propia/Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum has added a new MANU PROPRIA Artisan Timepiece case type to its collection.

Courtesy of Manu Propia/Angular Momentum

41.60 mm 1.4435NcU Staybrite watch case with polished bezel and satin brushed sides, pavé set with 1.500 ct. TW VVS diamonds, historical hand-winding movement.

Courtesy of Manu Propia/Angular Momentum

The Art meets Art timepieces are made with either Verre Églomisé miniature painting on the reverse of the sapphire crystal with digital time display or with a miniature painting on the reverse of the sapphire dial with analogue time display by hands.

www.angularmomentum.com