The tiny, delicate, nearly impossible-to-create hairspring is the one of the biggest advances for modern scientific technology there is. Joshua Munchow takes a dive into the muscle of the beating heart of most mechanical watches: the hairspring.
The Freak X takes a bunch of what Ulysse Nardin has developed over the past two decades and cleverly combines them all into a simplified (in a sense) timepiece that is one-fifth the price of the regular Freak.
This sent a sizable shockwave through the industry that was palpable during the 2019 SIHH, and the reactions were definitely a mixed bag. Here’s what Joshua Munchow thinks.
Officine Panerai is known for making dive watches or, more specifically, military-inspired dive and sports watches. The connection with the sea isn’t just a part of Panerai, it IS Panerai. And so one of the brand’s goals is to now become as eco-friendly as possible by creating zero-impact manufacturing combined with ethical and environmentally friendly business practices across the board in addition to using recycled materials in its watches. Joshua Munchow takes a look at how this is coming along.
For Joshua Munchow, the Hautlence HL Sphere is easily within his top ten favorite watches of all time: for him the HL Sphere has no equal and represents incredible engineering with firm design restraint. Find out why right here!
Patek Philippe surprised Joshua Munchow at Baselworld 2019 with the launch of the Weekly Calendar, a new dress watch in stainless steel and the brand’s first steel-encased production model since the 1970s. The 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar is a mix of modern technology, classic style, and a couple of unique touches that help it stand out from Patek Philippe’s typical offerings, making it one of his favorite watches from the Genevan giant in quite a while.
Joshua Munchow overlooked something that was right in front him: the Parmigiani Toric Capitole. A fantastic timepiece by an interesting brand, until the latest edition with its exposed mechanics on the front of the watch, he had missed seeing this because of the modest display belying what was hidden within. Now it’s in plain view!
The Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain contains most of the key features familiar to the ultra-high-end brand, and all in a package that is friendlier to the wallet (even if only slightly) and a touch more under the radar when placed next to a watch like an Invention Piece or the GMT Earth. In fact, some of the Quill & Pad team have fallen madly in love with the Balancier Contemporain!
One of the best horological examples that Joshua Munchow has recently seen of uncompromising design is the Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One. Bovet often pushes the boundary in case and movement design, but Brainstorm Chapter One is a particularly good example of keeping the design intent throughout the development process. And the result is astounding!
For a watch guy that loves mechanics, but can appreciate precious stones, there was a standout at Baselworld 2019: the Graff GyroGraff, which Joshua Munchow found both a very respectable mechanical marvel and also a canvas upon which Graff can create its gemstone magic. Here’s a commented overview of the line.
In the second of Joshua Munchow’s duo of articles concerning 3D printing, he focuses on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which utilizes a high-powered laser to heat a powdered material and sinter it into a solid structure. This is the process most likely to change the watchmaking industry as it is able to print with metals and ceramics.