Behind The Lens: Philippe Dufour Duality
For this edition of Behind the Lens, I’m sharing a series of photographs of one of the great watches of our time, the Philippe Dufour Duality. The Duality, with its linked twin escapements, was originally planned for production in a series of 25 watches. In a turn of events that seems almost unbelievable today, a lack of initial demand eventually led Dufour to limit production to just nine pieces, one of which is owned by a good friend of mine.
Everything Is Possible: De Bethune DB28 GS
Science fiction asks that you remember those that tell you “it can’t be done” are right . . . if you believe them. Never believe them. The watch I want to focus on today is from a brand that always brings its A-game. This brand is a science-fictionalist. This brand is De Bethune. And the watch we’re talking about here is the DB28 GS.
Does My (Super)Butt Look Big In Carbon Fiber? You Decide
Sunday, the 15th of March, was the last day of the 85th Geneva International Car Show. You might call the last day of the show the “butt end.” I would never use such a term myself, but you might − so what butter, uh, better way to celebrate than a lineup of superbutts; eight perfectly polished posteriors for your personal perusal.
Geneva International Motor Show 2015 Photo Essay: Warning, Supercar Heavy!
To many car buffs, the Geneva International Motor Show is renowned for being the first big car exhibition of the year.
To many watch buffs, fast cars and haute horlogerie are renowned for being two peas in a pod.
The 85th edition of the Geneva International Motor Show once again provided an interesting view of 2015’s new luxury automobiles.
It seems that the turbo-charged V8 and V10 supercars are getting much of the attention today.
Radium Watch Dials And Radium Girls: Who Would Have Thought ‘Eating’ Radioactive Material Was Deadly?
One of the last of the so-called Radium Girls passed away at the age of 107 in late 2014. These were women working in factories tasked with painting the numerals and other markings on watch dials with a luminous paint comprising glue, water, and radium powder. Little did they know the consequences this job would have.
Jaquet Droz’s Aesthetic Writing Instrument (aka Nice Pen)
Jaquet Droz’s dials are some of the most beautiful in the world of watches due to their timeless simplicity. To me, it makes perfect sense to translate this beautiful, minimistically inclined design to other lifestyle objects, in this case a high-quality writing instrument and matching cufflinks. As I don’t wear French cuff shirts, I opted to give the pen a try for a few weeks and test out Jaquet Droz’s first foray into this area.
Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 1665 With ‘Rare’ Rail Dial
The collector community has christened vintage Rolex models with a great many nicknames. One of these is the “rail” dial. While the exact origins of the word “rail” are not clear, this name is used for Rolex dials on which the letter C within the two lines stating “superlative chronometer” and “officially certified” line up as straight as train tracks. Have a look at an Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller, a watch water-resistant to a depth of 610 meters (2,000 feet), with a “rare” rail dial.
Magic Or Science? Revelation R01 Double Complication Tourbillon And Its Now-You-See-It-Now-You-Don’t Dial
We now live in an age of technology that is very advanced – and getting more advanced every day. One incredible example of modern technology that could have been mistaken for magic in olden times is the nanometric optical disc of Revelation watches. These dials mechanically change from transparent to completely opaque with a twist of the bezel. My personal favorite is the R01 Double Complication Tourbillon.
Historic Swiss Brand Angelus Is Back And Presents The U10 Tourbillon Lumière
The La Joux-Perret-based team behind Arnold & Son has relaunched revered Swiss brand Angelus and presents the very contemporary U10 Tourbillon Lumière, which pays respect to Angelus’ period travel clocks in the shape of its case and to 1960s-1970s design with its funky dial.
Give Me Five! From The 2015 Bovet Collection
Bovet is one of the quiet achievers in Swiss watchmaking. Here are a just few timepieces from the Bovet collection that caught my eye at the brand’s January exhibition in Geneva: Amadeo Fleurier Miss Audrey, Amadeo Fleurier Virtuoso Tourbillon V, Amadeo Fleurier Braveheart Tourbillon, Récital 12 Monsieur Dimier, and Récital 15. The names are as poetic as the watches!