A certain sameness: brand promotion journalism lives!

Whither Watch Websites? The Future Of Online Watch Journalism (You Read It Here First)

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Several months ago, Ian Skellern published a provocative article taking issue with the current state of online watch journalism. Specifically, he criticized what in his view is the low quality and repetitive nature of what we see online. But are things really uniform and uniformly bad or are there distinct types of online sources and content? GaryG wonders how we think about the different business models and value propositions of watch sites, and what it tells us about how the future may unfold.

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Longines Heritage Aviation over Day and the Dawnstar by Herbert James Draper (image courtesy @thehealer74)

What Makes Up The Soul Of A Watch: A Contemplation. You Will Not Want To Miss The Imagery! (Reprise)

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Why watches? Ask what makes a watch enthusiast tick and the idea of the “soul” of a watch might well feature in the response – the idea that something elevates the watch from a cold object of engineering to something of greater import. Here Ryan tracks “soul” down and gets contemplative on its nature along with some very special imagery.

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Philippe Dufour Simplicity

The Independent Watchmakers’ Struggle: Why It’s So Hard And What They Can Do To Better Survive (Archive)

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GaryG loves independent watchmaking and independent watchmakers; one of his great joys as a collector is having the feeling that, in a small way, he is supporting their efforts. So he put some thought into why independent watchmakers struggle in a business sense and how they can remain relevant in changing market situations.

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ETA 2892

It’s A Date! Taking A Closer Look At The Most Popular Complication Of Them All: The Calendar

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Date windows on wristwatches can be a touchy subject. Many feel they are downright ugly and destroy the look of a good watch, while others swear by them as the most useful and affordable complication. Whatever camp you may be in, the date function can be the cause of considerable grief, particularly the rapid set mechanism.

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Stainless steel Kari Voutilainen GMT-6

Rebuttal: Modern Horological Times And Practices Aren’t As Historically Different As You Might Think

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My colleague Derek Weinberg shared his views on Quill & Pad recently regarding the way he sees things in the modern watch industry (spoiler alert: he is deeply saddened). Joshua once held similar beliefs, however today he sees things differently.

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IWC Da Vinci perpetual calendar chronograph

Valjoux 7750: The World’s Greatest Chronograph Movement By Far (By Popularity And Numbers)

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As Martin Green became ever more impressed by the performance of the Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement, he also found himself ever-enamored by its little quirks and the variety of watches it has been tapped to power. Here he outlines the history of a classic automatic movement.

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E. Howard and Co pocket watch (photo courtesy Derek Weinberg)

Modern Horological Times And Practices Are Likely Much Worse Than You Think: A Reflection

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In the society we live in, a society of technology-driven mass production and digital revolution, Derek Weinberg reflects on how a mechanical timepiece has evolved from a functional object serving as a faithful companion in a busy life to a collectible object satisfying its owner from behind a pane of glass.

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Zenith Defy El Primero 21 for Only Watch

Here’s Why: The Chronograph Is The New Tourbillon (Archive)

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Based on the most popular releases of 2017, it is possible that the almighty tourbillon may about to be usurped by something new and rather old at the same time: the chronograph. In this installment of Joshua Munchow’s “Here’s Why” series, he explores why the chronograph is the new tourbillon.

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Nomos Glashütte Director Judith Borowski (2nd from left) with designers

Nomos Glashütte Director Judith Borowski Takes A Stand And Speaks Out Against Hate

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The political scene in Germany currently shares a number of issues with other countries around the world, including the rise of the extreme right. Without going into the politics, Elizabeth Doerr highlights this particular interview with Nomos Glashütte managing director Judith Borowski because she feels it is incredibly courageous for a manufacturer to clearly state a definitive side and speak out on what it thinks is right (and wrong), despite the fact that might cause a few potential customers to look elsewhere for their watches.

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Vallée de Joux style: movement detail of the Philippe Dufour Simplicity

Does Hand Finishing Matter? A Collector’s View Of Movement Decoration (Archive)

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Anyone who visits online watch forums with any frequency very likely comes across at least a few heated discussions of “finishing,” a topic that seems to fascinate, and divide, enthusiasts. What is it and why are opinions divided?

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