Visconti Homo Sapiens Dark Ages fountain pen with cap on and off

Pure Basaltic Lava Reinforced With Resin Is The Secret Ingredient In The Visconti Homo Sapiens Pen

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.

Aurora Borealis seen in Germany, note how bright the scenery looks for a dark night

The How, What, When, Where And Why Of Seeing The Aurora Borealis, AKA Northern Lights

My wife and I serendipitously chanced upon “seeing” the aurora borealis while visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming last year, and the excitement of that led to months of research. And that research led more recently to spending a few days in the Arctic Circle in the north of Sweden. Here is what I’ve learned about the northern lights so far, some of it firsthand.

Panerai Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanium

Prediction Comes True: Panerai Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanium With DMLS 3D-Printed Titanium Case

Imagine my surprise when, in one of my rare predictions about the future of 3D printing in watchmaking, I got one right: the Panerai Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanium says it all. It is (as far as I know) the first production watch to utilize 3D direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) printing for the case construction. The case is made of titanium for extra lightness, but that’s not the only, or even the main, reason for using DMLS titanium.

Photo Caption Competition No. 9 Featuring A Grönefeld One Hertz, Snow, And Dogs

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?

The 2016 McLaren Honda Formula 1 car

Richard Mille Sponsors Two Formula 1 Teams In 2016: McLaren And The New American Team Haas Ferrari

Just two days shy of the unveiling of the McLaren team’s 2016 Formula 1 car that drivers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso will be driving, McLaren CEO Ron Dennis and his team were shielding any possible view of the automobile from the curious eyes of the small group of watch journalists invited for the introduction of new corporate sponsor Richard Mille. Luckily for us, however, Button’s wrist was not off-limits, and neither were Richard’s comments.

What am I?

Photo Caption Competition No. 8: What Am I?

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?

Richard Mille, Jenson Button and Ron McLaren announcing Richard Mille's sponsorship of the McLaren Formula 1 team

McLaren Formula 1 Team Announces New Sponsoring Partner Richard Mille Following TAG Heuer Departure

A live report from Woking, England as McLaren’s Ron Dennis announced that another watch brand was set to step into the big Formula 1 sponsorship shoes left behind by TAG Heuer’s departure, a brand that fits the bill perhaps even better in terms of brand messages and commonalities.

“We’re at the beginning of this partnership, both as brands and as individuals,” Dennis, who praises commitment, said during the introduction at the McLaren Technology Center.

That brand is of course Richard Mille, and the two companies now enter into a ten-year contract.

Philippe Dufour, Naissance d’une Montre

Photo Caption Competition No. 7: Philippe Dufour’s Exuberant Fan

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!

Richard Mille Red Quartz TPT RM011 wristshot

My Favorite Watches From SIHH 2016 As Shot With The Leica Q

This year I attended my third SIHH. With the introduction of an independents’ lounge called Carré des Horlogers, it was certainly a changed place, energized with new blood added to the existing Richemont and other brands that comprise the exhibitors at the SIHH. Here I’d like to share with you a selection of wristshots I took with the Leica Q during the 2016 edition of SIHH. Enjoy!

Photo Caption Competition No. 6: What’s Going On Here?

This week’s Photo Caption Competition was shot at a watch launch in late 2015.

Bonus kudos to anyone who can guess where this photo was taken and what watch was being launched.

Give us your suggestions for an interesting or entertaining caption!