Only a handful of producers are able to make hairsprings, most of which are large-scale industry suppliers. But a few watch brands manufacture their own using recipes and processes, which they keep close to their hearts. Bovet is one of these rare few manufacturers. Take a walk through the factory here thanks to The Watches TV, one in which cameras are usually not allowed.
Though pen makers collaborating with watchmakers is more common today than it was a decade ago, the combination of Blancpain and Grayson Tighe continues to delight with characteristically distinctive writing instruments expressing elements of both creators. The titanium Series 2 is a perfect example of the pen maker’s art mixed with thoughtful watch details.
Bell & Ross’s unique BR 01 Instrument stole the spotlight at its launch in 2005 thanks to its unusual circle-in-a-square case, becoming an instant hit. The BR 01 was then used as a jumping-off point for a variety of designs, beginning in 2009 with the then-trendy skull motif – which in Elizabeth Doerr’s eyes was a perfect addition.
There is probably nowhere in the world you will find more information on the juxtaposition of tennis and wristwatches than right here at Quill & Pad. Unless, that is, you are an ardent follower of Miguel Seabra. In this article, Elizabeth interviews Miguel on the current state of tennis and timepieces, including new sponsorships, strategies, and Rolex’s recent patronage of the U.S. Open.
Why is the A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite important from a holistic view of horological history? Elizabeth thinks that the reasons are manifold and include the unheard-of technology nestled within its movement, the audacity of a German newcomer in challenging Swiss status quo, and the symbolic value for A. Lange & Söhne’s rebirth as well as the golden age of mechanical timepieces.
While it is true that today most gem-set watches are created with the female wrist in mind, which means that these timepieces are smaller and perhaps less suitable for wear by men, based largely on the growing number of new pieces I have seeing launching of late gem-set watches for men could well be making something of a comeback. Take a look at 5 examples of new gem-set watches for men from 2018 by Rolex, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Chopard, and Antoine Preziuso.
Elizabeth Doerr has a personal relationship with Scotland. And with Edinburgh in particular. But she hadn’t visited the fabulous National Museum of Scotland there before. Finally ducking in on a recent trip, she was blown away by the incredible Millennium Clock Tower. Here she explores the tower’s history, meaning, and symbolism.
Dominique Renaud began working at Audemars Piguet in 1980. He received his watchmaker education in Besançon, though his family originally hailed from the Vallée de Joux. Renaud and Guilo Papi, both employed by Audemars Piguet at the time, struck out on their own, founding Renaud & Papi SA in 1986 to explore other avenues of high complication. They did that and so much more!
The ultra-successful James Bond film franchise celebrated 55 years of existence in 2017 – ‘Dr. No’ appeared in theaters in 1962 – and with it a host of luxury items used in the world-famous film series, including wristwatches. Bond’s love affair with timepieces began with Sean Connery, who wore a Q-modified, gadget-containing Rolex Submariner in ‘Dr. No’ even though his creator, author Ian Fleming, personally wore the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer. A multitude of watch models have come since . . . find out what they are right here!
Elizabeth takes a look at five of Van Cleef & Arpels’s artful SIHH 2018 introductions from the Le Jardin (“Garden”) collection and compares them to their namesake blooms.