Alain Silberstein Returns to Besançon!

 

Courtesy of Utinam

Or perhaps he never really ever left!

I had the opportunity to visit Utinam's workshop and boutique in Besançon back in November 2019 and meet Philippe Lebru as well as a young clock maker from New Jersey! 

I know that Switzerland is where most people travel mentally when thinking of watch making, but for my money there is a certain magic about Besançon that is hard to really get your head around until you spend some time there.

Courtesy of Utinam

This is the latest bit of magic to spring forth and is a wonderful mash-up of the horological whimsy of Alain Silberstein and the structural awesomeness of Philippe Lebru - the Kontwaz Bauhaus 2.

Courtesy of Utinam

There have been some nice watches to come forth from the Silberstein collaboration with Louis Erard, but this clock really speaks, or in this case - sings to me!

Courtesy of Utinam

So welcome back to Besançon Alain Silberstein, or perhaps you never really left ; )

Worth A Second Look - The HDM Champagne

I have been to Besançon twice, and I still have not managed to coordinate a visit to the workshops of Humbert Droz. This is something I plan to remedy AC (After COVID).

I don't tend to live my life with too many regrets, but as a would-be employer once told me - "You only regret the things you don't do".  

And yes gentle reader, I was there in the shop at Utinam, it was within reach, but I had another appointment to get to and then an afternoon train to Paris, but this little bijoux still calls out to me -

Courtesy of Humbert Droz

The movement is from within the French borders, and is hand-winding -

Courtesy of Humbert Droz

The case is of stainless steel and measures 39 mm in diameter.

This one is Goldilocks sized - Just right!

In case you missed it the first time, here are the pertinents -

Case: Steel, diameter 39 mm, thickness 11,5 mm, lug to lug 23 mm
Crown: In notched steel and with logo
Glass: Sapphire crystal
Movement: Mechanical movement with manual winding France Ebauches 141-2
Cadran : White
Hands: Black / Steel

Bracelet: Genuine Alligator leather made in France
Bracelet buckle: Folding
Caseback: Steel with transparent opening for movement visibility
Water resistance: 30 m
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Guarantee: 2 years

Notes From Besançon

Today marked the start of a new chapter at Tempus Fugit Media with the launch of Notes From Besançon!

Notes From Besançon will be a stand alone online resource that will focus primarily on Besançon, the surrounding region, the watches of that region, and the people and brands who design, produce and market them.  

Tempus Fugit will continue, and continue on its focus on industry insider content.  Notes From Besançon is a passion project written by a fan of the region and the brands that call it home.  I hope that you enjoy it!

The Quadripod

From Utinam -

Courtesy of Utinam

Nearly four years to the day I first visited Besançon, I was back again.  At that time, Utinam was just about to open their boutique and they had a handful of watches along with pieces from Dodane (I believe) Bell & Ross and some of their magnificent clocks.  At the time, I picked up a 24 hour single hand watch that I quite like and still wear.  Had they had this on offer at the time, I probably would have pulled my credit card and made my purchase.


Like many brands in both France and Germany, Utinam has opted for a Japanese movement.  The shape is beguiling, and the blue dial is very pleasing.  But perhaps my favorite aspect?  The hands!  They are just different enough to engage and fascinate.

Courtesy of Utinam

Here are the pertinents -
(Keep in mind, this is Google Translated from French).

CASE 
Stainless steel form piece, design in 2 parts connected by 4 screws slipped in visible sleeves. Transparent background allowing reading of the oscillating mass. A version exists in titanium nitride Pink Gold. Height: 43mm, Width: 38mm 

GLASS 
Domed sapphire above and below for oscillating weight reading. Particularity of the “ears” at 9:00 and 3:00. 

MOVEMENT 
11½ Japanese mechanical-automatic, 21 jewels, frequency 21,600 vibrations per hour, power reserve: 40 hours. Date at 3 o'clock. 

DIAL 
Enamelled in cartridges; Blue, Ivory, Aventurine. 

HANDS 
Luminescent Hour and Minute, central second counterweight by La Practice à Morteau. 

CROWN
Engraving of the 2-column eagle, emblem of Besançon. 

BRACELET 
Lug Width: 24 mm, barenia calf leather, saddle stitching hand-wrapped by the Comptoir des Selliers in Besançon, stainless steel buckle.

Numbered limited series 
Specific engraving on request.

A Love Letter to Besançon - part 1

Since I started Tempus Fugit nearly 10 years ago, I have had the good luck to travel to a lot of places, and see a lot of things that I would not have otherwise.  And this past week I had the very good fortune to re-visit one of my favorite places - Besançon, France.

While everyone points (and fairly so) to the valleys and small hamlets of Switzerland (you know, like that tiny place called Geneva) as the true home of authentic watchmaking, a watch making tradition just as rich lays just a short ways across the border in France.

Shamelessly borrowed from the Worldwide infoweb

Besançon has long been a center for watchmaking,  is home to a fantastic horological museum, an observatory that also issues a chronometre certificate, and one of the most bitchin' clocks you have ever seen -

It was the home for many years to Lip, until it wasn't. But just a short time ago, the Berard family acquired the brand, and brought it home to Besançon.

More on that to come.

In addition, Besançon is home to Utinam.

What Chronopassion is to unique and yet-to-be discovered horological brands, Utinam is to the small and growing French micro brands. It is a must see destination for anyone who is even a little bit interested in watches. 

Again, more to come.

Courtesy of Lip

So stay tuned, it's going to be fun!

Turning Right - Again

With the events in Paris last week, I felt somehow drawn to France.  I was coming to Switzerland on business - you will get the full report shortly, but with my one free day, I really wanted to be here to pay my respects, and to visit another "cradle of horology" - Besançon.

So I put on my tourist "beret" and off I went.  And I made myself a promise.  Instead of making a plan and "sticking to it", when I felt the urge, I would "turn right", and see where it would take me.  And on Monday it took me to some truly wonderful places.  France is clearly still mourning, but judging from the spirit of the young people of Besançon this will be a temporary condition.

I was amazed to find a clock by none other than Alain Silberstein!

I spent the afternoon walking the city streets, speaking with anyone that was interested.  And at the MATY store I got to try on a watch that has been haunting me -

From the folks at LIP.  This piece of AWESOMENESS is now firmly on my "save pennies to purchase" list.  It is THE SHIT THAT KILLED ELVIS!

I enjoyed a lunch the likes of which "Papa Hemingway" would have gone beyond his normal, journalistic prose to describe.

I was still reveling in the memory just before 5:00 PM when I stumbled into UTINAM .  It was a Monday, and yes, they were supposed to be closed.  But they very kindly let me in, and I had a quick peek around.  Yes, they have Dodane and other cool items.  But what caught my eye were the watches that the owner - Philippe Labru had created.  To be fair, the mechanical version had pride of place.  And although it is very, very cool, what I was really drawn to was this little bijoux -

It is a beautifully beguiling single-handed watch.  The design elements are SPOT ON!

And at 139 Euros - I could not say no!

So pals and gals, if you haven't considered it, visit Besançon - you will be better for the experience!