After obtaining a Delta Dolce Vita Oversized at the conclusion of his Italian period, Martin Green was a very happy man. The pen served him very well, and he was in love with the looks as well as the writing experience. And while Martin wasn’t looking for a replacement pen, it happened anyway . . . with some very famous brands. Read the third part of his writing instrument odyssey here.
Even in the watch world, miracles never happen alone: nearly every watch company needs suppliers. Parmigiani Fleurier, in Switzerland’s Val de Travers, has the advantage of being part of the Sandoz Family Foundation, whose extensive catalog of companies includes some of the best suppliers available.
Italians have the gift of making the most common object look great; they can even make a coffee grinder with enough sex appeal to make Tom Jones jealous! For a relatively small country, Italy still has quite a few fountain pen manufacturers. And Martin Green thinks that he has tried products from almost all of them. Find out here what he settled on for his personal writing needs.
Martin Green’s quest for the ultimate fountain pen began unexpectedly and over the following decades he learned many things, including: nothing compares to writing with a gold nib! Join Martin as he embarks upon part one of his personal fountain pen journey, which includes an inherited piece, a demonstrator, over-the-top colors, and cloisonné enamel.
Two new members of the Grand Seiko Elegance Collection are outfitted with superb Urushi lacquer dials nestled within pink gold cases. While this Japanese lacquer can be applied to a variety of different objects, it is primarily known in the Western world as an artistic decoration on high-end fountain pens. Here Martin Green explains how Urushi dials give Grand Seiko an edge over its competition.
The majority of IWC’s ceramic watches feature a black case, the most traditional color for ceramic. One exception is the sandy-colored Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert, which is a highly unusual color for a ceramic case. IWC also gave the watch a brushed technical finish, which is further enhanced by a textile strap with rubber lining. Here Martin Green explores what other cool things are different about this watch!
The Hermès Arceau Grands Fonds is a rare and precious beauty. Its glass mosaic dial is a work of art, framed by a case made of white gold. And, as is nearly everything with Hermès, the Arceau Grands Fonds is also a functional object: the brand wants you to enjoy this watch on the wrist, where it belongs!
It turns out gem-setting is a lot more difficult than many appreciate. Diamond-setting watches requires the expertise and craftsmanship of about half a dozen highly skilled craftsmen, each a master of their craft, as highlighted here by Martin Green.
Martin Green asks whether perfection exists. Then he hypothesizes that it just may well exist in the form of an interesting and exciting new watch for men: H. Moser & Cie.’s Venturer Concept Vantablack.
Schwarz Etienne developed the Fiji Floral Seconds from the ground up as a daily-wear watch for women, and it’s such a cut above that it’s likely to attract the attention of many men as well.