To both the untrained and shrewd eye, the beauty of a watch often lies in the detail of its finishing. Well, did you know that originally, the first ornamentations were in fact due to functional, not esthetic concerns. Ever since, mixing tradition and modernity, artisans and manufacturers have continued to apply these decorative processes to the art of watchmaking.
As a buyer, knowing about these different methods and their nuances will allow you to better appreciate the value and expertise behind any model of timepiece. Beading, latticework, engraving, damaskeening, chasing, chamfering; these terms will no longer hold any secrets for you. So let's look at an overview of the main decorative techniques in watchmaking!
Among the various complications that might complement our timepieces is the chronograph. This function, which allows the user to measure relatively short time intervals, is one of the most complex movements in watchmaking to create. But what exactly is a chronograph watch and how does the mechanism work? Allow us to explain.
It's not always necessarily straightforward to differentiate between mechanical and quartz watches. While both show the time, their movements don't work in the same way.
Watchmaking has always been a men's world. Once reserved for the elite, watches were a symbol of wealth, education and membership of a higher social class. In addition, the watchmaking profession has always been the domain of men.
In this article, we'll explain in detail the reasons that have led market prices to their current level of around 20,000€ (and even more in some cases) for high-end pieces similar to the X41 watch.
For a number of years now, interest in "skeleton" watches among watch enthusiasts has been on the rise. The choice of such watches has expanded considerably, from entry-level models for a few hundred francs to high-end pieces that can go for hundreds of thousands of euros.
Switzerland is widely seen as a country of cutting-edge industry and innovation par excellence. It is where many products are designed in an incomparable marriage of quality, meticulousness, reliability and durability. Numerous traditional Swiss brands in their own way embody the Swiss values of quality and precision all around the world.
There comes a time in most men’s lives when choosing an automatic watch becomes a rite of passage. Your first timepiece is like your first love: if you don’t dedicate yourself to it, that love has no chance.
Many of us look to exceptional watches to find this “soul supplement”; an authenticity and uniqueness that bring a smile to our face every morning as we slip it on our wrist.
The watch surpassed its basic practical function a long time ago; it’s now become an object of memory, a piece of art imbued with a sentimental value that speaks of your esthetic tendencies.
This rite of passage, this transition, reminds others that you’re capable of appreciating and correctly judging the esthetic value of a design.
An enlightened and cultured man is aware of the intrinsic beauty of a work of art. He is capable of appreciating – beyond the basic chronological function – all of the work that went into creating it, from observation to reflection, and finally design.
How do you choose a timepiece that suits you, and that, above all, you will enjoy wearing every day? Here’s a few pieces of useful advice to help you choose your preferred watch.
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is when a business or project is financed by a large number of investors, each providing a small amount. It’s frequently used by inventors, entrepreneurs, musicians and movie producers, as well as charitable organizations.
It all began in 1997, driven by the English rock band Marillion. Short of money to finance their tour of the United States, they raised $60,000 from their fans – and thus launched the trend of crowdfunding. With that, traditional investors (banks, business angels…) lost part of their monopoly.
Few projects can see the light of day without a supply of capital, and crowdfunding has opened new doors in the world of investment, while also bringing more democracy to the process.
Despite the emergence of quartz watches, watch fans remain captivated by their mechanical counterparts. But why?
The invention of the quartz movement by the Japanese company Seiko in the early 1960s all but brought an end to the century-long supreme rule of mechanical watchmaking. But just like haute couture survived the arrival of ready-to-wear, mechanical watches are still largely popular among enthusiasts. In this article, we'll explain why automatic watches are seen by aficionados as works of art, thanks to their complexity and hand-crafted design.