Look at this. Just look at it. If you’re anything like me, you were in awe when you first saw this watch – just the sheer technical look of it was enough to send my heart racing. And then the questions come. Why does it look this way? What kind of technology is behind it? Is this really just an instrument to tell the time? Spoiler alert: questions are answered inside.
A tsuba is the hand guard of a traditional Japanese sword. “These eventually became elaborate pieces of art – far beyond their practical use,” says engraver Kees Engelbarts, whose fascination with Japanese handcrafts led him to use the Japanese metal alloying technique called mokume gane as the first one in watchmaking. It has now also led him to dedicate a watch to the tsuba theme, inspired in particular by a piece by Japanese swordsmith Hamano Masanobu.
Thanks for the entries in last week’s caption competition and congratulations to Martin Moore for his winning caption linking smartwatches and dogs. You can check that out at Photo Caption Competition No. 9.
This week’s caption competition looks relatively easy (I know, that’s easy for me say): statues of two men rugged up for the cold. One has a what looks like a briefcase so they may be commuters.
Or maybe not. That’s for you to decide.
More than five years ago, Visconti introduced the Homo Sapiens collection featuring a new concept in writing instrument design: lava straight from the active volcano Mt. Etna on the island of Sicily was used to craft the bodies of the pens. Now, a new era is being explored with the Homo Sapiens Dark Age. And though the Dark Ages signified cultural decline, ironically this pen represents nothing if not the opposite.
This week’s caption competition is a hard one as it has quite a disparate mix of subjects including a Grönefeld One Hertz, lots of snow (it was shot in the Arctic Circle), and a few dogs for good measure. What appropriate, funny, or sarcastic comment can you think up as a caption or for the optional speech bubble?
On discovering the reinvigorated Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection at SIHH 2016, one thing I could not stop marveling over is how intelligent it is. Yes, I describe this new line as intelligent. The refresh, which includes five new models (for a total of 12 references) and an incredible new strap-changing system couldn’t have turned out better. Let’s examine why.
Stepan Sarpaneva’s new Seasons models created with the help of Black Badger Advanced Composites pay artistic homage to the strongly differing seasons that take place in Finland. The dials comprise two parts: a stainless steel grid coated with either DLC or TiN placed above the solid block of lume in teal, green, violet, or blue. To find out what makes them glow so brightly, please read on.
This week we have something a little different.
This is a photo of a prototype movement of a watch that was launched in the second half of 2015.
What do you think the name of this watch is?
I had the chance to wear the Glashütte Original Senator Automatic during the 2016 Berlinale, Berlin’s Film Festival. While models from this line can look a tad old-fashioned, this model really hits the sweet spot in every way, hinting at traditionality while remaining fresh. And the addition of diamonds on the bezel, which is not usually my favorite type of design expression, just adds icing to the cake here.
Firstly, thanks to those that submitted entries to last week’s caption competition and to Martin for his winning entry, “First wife to say ok gets to buy it!” This week’s photo features Philippe Dufour at the Naissance d’une Montre stand at SIHH 2016 along with an exuberant fan. Click to join in the fun!