Category: Special Features
Meet Laetitia Pino – Girard-Perregaux’s Puzzle Master!
Despite being centuries old the Swiss watchmaking industry is still surprisingly youthful, relatively speaking of course! Many of the brand’s rising stars are still yet to pass their 30th birthday, making for a vibrant environment rich with creativity and youthful exuberance. In recognition of this Girard-Perreguax has launched an exciting new initiative, a print and online journal called the ‘New Face of Tradition’ aimed at the promotion and celebration of a new and exciting generation of watchmakers.
A Tribute to George Daniels: Creator Of The Co-Axial Movement (VIDEO)
Georges Daniels – 19 August 1926 – 21 October 2011 – © Omega
George Daniels built his reputation restoring and repairing the exceptional creations of Abraham Louis Breguet and, like his predecessor had a century before him, made it his life’s work to constantly search for ways to improve watchmaking.
Gerald Genta – Who Will Remember?
Dear Manufacturers,
It has been all over the web these past few days: much-loved watch designer Gerald Genta sadly passed away on August 16th aged 80. There is no need to recall here how he contributed to the design of some of the most iconic watches of this past third of a century, from the Royal Oak of Audemars Piguet, to the Nautilus de Patek Philippe, through to the Ingenieur of IWC and Omega’s Constellation.
80, and still young: report from the Reverso Anniversary
There was an undeniable Reverso vibe in Paris this past week. It was a mix of elegance, prestige, with a touch of celebration. It’s something you’ve seen a hundred times before, and still there is something new to discover each and every time.
What’s Next For TAG Heuer?
TAG Heuer likes paradox. On the one hand the brand continues to move in leaps and bounds towards true watchmaking, while at the same time reinforcing its low-end quartz portfolio. They invest a lot in R&D, but the end-consumer mass market has not reaped the benefits of it (yet). They seemingly have the desire to reduce watchmaking to its most simplistic form, whilst at the same time they are responsible for some of the most significant advances in knowledge and efficiencies of the last decade.
Take A Trip With Us Into The Future Of Complications
The world of complications seemingly knows no limits. But are watchmakers truly free to create whatever concepts come to their mind? Of course not, for one main reason: consumer tastes are driven by what marketing people refer to as “trends”. And the fact is that in recent times the key industry trend has largely been a return to more simplistic pieces, discreet and readable (with a couple of notable exceptions – i.e. the mind-blowing Opus 11)
The Great Return of Bespoke Watches?
Centuries ago the creativity of manufacturers was limited only by their technical capabilities. And, much like those of their clients, their ideas and ambitions, although not always feasible, were truly spectacular. It was during this time when the concepts of ‘series’ or ‘collections’ were still yet to be born, right up until the beginning of the 20th century, that the very lifeblood of the industry was the realization of custom made pieces commissioned by wealthy clients.
2011: The Year That Will Be – As Seen By…
It’s hard to believe that we are already one month into 2011 but now the time for looking back on 2010 has well and truly come to an end and we must focus our attention on what the future will hold. With that in mind we decided to ask some of the biggest names in the business how they see their 2011. Based on their answers below it’s definitely going to be another exciting year in this most fascinating of industries!
It Costs How Much? – A Visual Exploration Of What Drives Value (Part.3)
Well, it’s the final installment in our photo essay on the remarkable Marin 2 Thalassa by Peter Speake-Marin and what a journey it has been. Through this process we hope to have given you an intimate glimpse into the incredible craftmanship, attention to detail and above all time required to realize these mechanical masterpieces, and [...]
It Costs How Much? – A Visual Exploration Of What Drives Value (Part.2)
Yesterday we brought you Part.1 of our special feature on the concept of value in luxury timepieces. We have chosen to present this series in the form of a photographic essay, using fantastic images of independent master watch-maker Peter Speake-Marin’s all new Marin 2 timepiece. Speake-Marin is renowned for his superb craftmanship and attention to [...]
It Costs How Much? – A Visual Exploration Of What Drives Value (Part.1)
One of the questions we get asked most often here on The Watch Lounge is why some timepieces cost what they do. In some instances it is easier to explain as the overt designs and exposed complications make the level of skill and craftsmanship, not to mention hours of labor, required apparent, even to the [...]
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