The balance wheel is the regulatory organ of a mechanical watch, which is expected to deliver a consistent frequency with a tolerance of as little as 0.001 percent. With so much at stake, why complicate things by altering a pure and simple geometric shape? Why reinvent the wheel? Well, here are five balances that definitely did reinvent the wheel.
Graphene has the potential to usher in the future that many dreamers, inventors, and science-fiction writers have been hoping for since the discovery of electricity and the invention of computers and spaceflight. The Richard Mille RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph Ultralight McLaren F1 is infused with graphene, making it the stuff of science-fiction dreams and Formula 1 impossibilities.
La Montre Hermès presents two additions to its Cape Cod line: one with a decidedly new take on the Chaîne d’Ancre (“anchor chain”) motif as the hallmark transfers to the dial for the first time and one with an alluring mirror-polished face. And, of course, interesting strap variations in single and double wrap.
It took my breath away. I saw a heart beating: a golden heart truly beating . . . seemingly pulsing to a human rhythm. The effect was astonishing. But what attracted me to Paul Forrest’s Heart’s Passion even more than the motion of the heart was the patented movement entirely crafted in Fleurier, Switzerland that gave it “life.”
One of the high points of my visits to Baselworld each of the past few years has been the opportunity to tour the display of new introductions from Patek Philippe. Concluding our visit in March 2017, our host asked each of us to name our favorite new Patek Philippe piece, and for me the answer was obvious: the stunning Reference 5170P that had me standing slack-jawed in front of its display case long after the rest of the group had moved on to the other new pieces. Here’s why . . .
It doesn’t often happen that the convertible is more beautiful than the coupe, but the DB11 is a fortunate exception to this rule. Without a roof the lines of the DB11 become far more fluent! But, wait, there are even more changes that you might just find surprising.
Urwerk and MB&F are two stalwarts of contemporary watchmaking with, superficially at least, much in common. Here Ian Skellern shares what he thinks are the significant similarities and differences between these two leaders in modern watchmaking.
Grayson Tighe’s Blue Dragon is a one-of-a-kind fountain pen created for an American collector, who wanted something with a personally meaningful theme. “The client had the idea for the Blue Dragon, and he was specific about the eye and mane color, placement of the pearl on the barrel, and the symbols and details that were important to him,” says Tighe. And what a beauty this turned out to be!
The new Excalibur Aventador S is the first collaborative piece between Lamborghini and Roger Dubuis. A joint effort between engineers and designers at Centro Stile (Lamborghini’s design studio) and Roger Dubuis, the Excalibur Aventador S paves the way to the new partnership with an entirely new movement featuring 45-degree dual balances.
When we talk about the age of a watch model, Cartier’s Tank deserves the place of honor. With its instantly recognizable rectangular case, this chic timepiece debuted in 1917, exactly 100 years ago. The watch has been in existence for an entire century! And now Cartier releases some new versions to celebrate.