Give Me Five! 5 Impressive Dress Watches From 2017
The classic dress watch gives you the same feeling that a good pair of perfectly fitting jeans or comfortable pullover does. For some of us, it might almost provide a sense of home. But most of all, it looks good in any situation. Here are Sabine Zwettler’s five favorite examples from 2017.
Grab Your Hoverboard And Fire Up The DeLorean: The Urwerk UR-105 CT Streamliner Takes Us Back To The Future (Where It May All End)
When Urwerk launched the UR-105 CT Streamliner in September 2017, the year of the trendsetting brand’s twentieth anniversary, it certainly made waves in the horological press; however, I couldn’t help feel that it was a little underappreciated and perhaps in the shadow of Urwerk’s “Reverso interpretation,” which launched earlier in the year, the widely successful UR-T8. Here’s what you should know about the CT Streamliner.
Dominique Renaud DR01 Twelve First: A Pioneer’s Return With The First Tangible Piece
One of the most influential pioneers of the twentieth century in watchmaking, Dominique Renaud (of Renaud & Papi renown), had a fantastic career before “retiring” in 2000 and moving to the south of France. After years of commissions and working on new ideas, a set of very intriguing concepts led to his return in 2013 and with it a promise of once again being a pioneer in the field of horology. And now the first tangible piece is here.
Give Me Five! All 5 Of Patek Philippe’s Advanced Research Limited Editions
Silicon, long in use as a material in the electronics industry, has many advantages for mechanical watchmaking: it is 60 percent harder and 70 percent lighter than steel; non-magnetic; resistant to corrosion and shock; and generally needs no lubrication. These qualities motivated Patek Philippe to declare in 2005 that, “Silicon is the fabric of the future” and to found its Advanced Research department. Meet all five limited edition Advanced Research pieces right here.
Turtles And Singing Birds: A Brief Historical Perspective On Automata Featuring MB&F, Raul Pagès, And Jaquet Droz (With Videos)
MB&F rarely introduces objets d’art so visibly rooted in horology as Kelys & Chirp: the Geneva-based independent watchmaker generally specializes in exotic and futuristic shapes. Kelys & Chirp doesn’t tell the time: it is an automaton – and most automata grew from advances made in horology in the 1600s.
Appreciating Skeleton Watches With Patek Philippe, Graff, Angelus, Armin Strom And Piaget
From a technical point of view, skeletonizing makes no sense: watchmakers go to great length to create a stable and robust movement, only to have others saw away pieces of its components. Skeletonizing is one of those instances when form takes over from function, bringing it even closer to being art.
In Memoriam: Brands And People Who Left Us In 2017, Including Roger Dubuis, MCT, DeLaneau And Walter Lange
Every year people working in the watch industry pass away, and brands come and go. This year I’d like to highlight a few of those we’ve lost, but will always remember.
Our Top 10 Most Popular Posts Of 2017 . . . And, Again, They Weren’t All About Rolex!
As read by you, here are the top 10 most viewed articles on Quill & Pad for 2017. There are likely to be a few surprises. Drum roll, please: in no particular order, our top ten most viewed articles of 2017 were . . .
Talking With Marc Newson: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Favorite ‘Clock Designer’ Styles New Atmos 568
The ‘perpetual’ Atmos by Jaeger-LeCoultre is made even more interesting by collaborations with celebrated designer Marc Newson; the Swiss manufacture and the Australian designer have done three Atmos variations together. I had a chance to speak with Newson upon the release of the latest collaborative clock, the Atmos 568. And some of his answers to my eager questions were a bit surprising.
The Intriguing Tale Of Hollywood’s Iconic Sign, Hugh Hefner, eBay, And RGM
Here is a story of neglect, replacement, and resurrection in Hollywood spanning nearly a century and involving Hugh Hefner, eBay, and the last American watch manufacture, RGM. It’s a fascinating journey leading to where we are now, and it is chock full of truly American entities. Meet the Hollywood 1923 watch by RGM, which incorporates a piece of American history.