Breguet: The Pen Whisperer
When it comes to a brand like Breguet, one expects nothing but the very best in every aspect of its representation. So I figured its pens, like its recent jewelry collections, would be solid and elegant expressions of the company’s overriding sense of quality and innovation. I was right.
Interconnectivity And Independence: The McGonigle Tuscar
Brothers John and Stephen McGonigle from Athlone, Ireland are fine examples of the independent spirit, and this is evident in their unique Tuscar timepiece, which features a highly distinctive in-house movement with subtle details reflecting their Irish heritage.
The Piaget Altiplano Rose: It Wouldn’t Be As Sweet By Any Other Name
Piaget added to its line of Altiplano rose-themed timepieces at the 2014 SIHH in spectacular fashion. Independent embroidery artist Sylvie Deschamps stitched a unique silk rose to form the dial of a white gold timepiece set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds in the shape of the Yves Piaget Rose.
WAG And SIWP Independent Watch Exhibitions In Geneva, January 2015
If you are in Geneva during the SIHH week, you may want to consider going to one of the other horological exhibitions taking place in town at the same time as the main show: WAG (Watch Art Gallery) and SIWP (Swiss Independent Watchmaking Pavilion). Both exhibitions provide visitors with the chance to get to know independent creators and boutique luxury brands.
Andreas Strehler Entered Into ‘Guinness Book Of World Records’
The Sauterelle à Lune Perpétuelle by independent watchmaker and A.H.C.I. member Andreas Strehler has been entered into the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ as the world’s most precise moonphase indicating wristwatch with a deviation of only one full day in 2,060,757 years.
Watch Out For Watchville
As much as we try to cover all the horological news that matters on Quill & Pad, despite our best intentions we just can’t write about absolutely everything. If only somebody could develop a platform to aggregate all of the news from the best watch blogs so it can all be viewed in one place.
Well somebody has and it’s called Watchville.
Born In The USA: RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon
Released in 2010, the RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon made a pretty big splash among those who have educated themselves about such things. It is, after all, the only serially produced tourbillon made in America and is simply an increditastic watch from any perspective. Design, function, and finishing: it is at the head of its class.
Quill & Pad: Our First Year
One year ago today, on a crisp and sunny New Year’s Day in Central Europe on the first day of 2014, Quill & Pad quietly went online. Since then, we have added four knowledgeable contributors with distinct areas of expertise to our little band of merry men and women − Joshua Munchow (technical nerd), GaryG (collector), Nancy Olson (pens), Boris Pjanic (vintage) − and have posted around 300 original stories. And this was just the start!
GaryG’s Year in Review 2014
It seems like only yesterday, but it was all the way back in January of 2014 that I had the opportunity to sit down for the first time with Elizabeth and Ian and hear their plans for Quill & Pad. Before the year completely gets away, here are a few of my observations and reflections on the industry, my first year at Quill & Pad, and my year in watches.
Urban Jürgensen Under New Danish Ownership
The modern history of Urban Jürgensen & Sønner (UJS) began with Peter Baumberger, who resuscitated the brand in 1981 along with a little help from some of his friends, such as Dr. Helmut Crott, Kari Voutilainen and Derek Pratt. The boutique brand has now returned to Danish hands.