Posts Tagged ‘Tourbillon’
Wow Watch Wednesday: The Haldimann H8 Sculptura
Like many of you we love complicated timepieces. The only problem is, sometimes they’re just too, well, complicated. The delicate feats of engineering ingenuity are overshadowed or worse still, concealed completely, by overzealous aesthetic touches which mask the inner beauty of the complex mechanism they overlay. However, one man is taking a stand.
And that man is Beat Haldimann.
Redefining Horological Art
Although it has been a couple of years now since he first presented his stunning creation, the Haldimann H8 Sculptura, is undoubtedly one of the most simplistically magnificent timepieces we have ever laid eyes upon. This timepiece completely redefines the concept of a watch as a piece of art, and ensures that the superbly crafted complication, a one-minute flying tourbillion in this case, remains the centre of attention at all times.
Literally.
There are no tricks, no concealed hands or laser engraved sapphire crystals, the dial is as completely pure and untouched as it appears in the photos. The central focus is unequivocally the stunning flying tourbillion complication, contrasting superbly against its sleek, black backdrop. Utterly mesmerizing the H8 Sculptura is not so much a tool for measuring the passage of time but rather a celebration of exquisite craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to traditional techniques.
As with all independent watch-makers the H8 Sculptura is a deeply personal piece, offering the patient observer a brief insight into the philosophy of its creator. Through the expression of this piece Haldimann has elevated the timepiece from its traditional function of time-keeping and transformed it into a portable personal piece of horologic art – a sculpture in fact.
To fully appreciate the concept it may help to think of the timepiece as a special exhibit in a museum. The beautifully crafted case serves as the display cabinet, impeccably designed to allow observers the best view possible of its precious contents. The tourbillon can be gazed upon from any angle thanks to the low level of the bezel and the convex crystal, granting the undoubtedly speechless admirer uninterrupted viewing pleasure of Haldimann’s masterful craftmanship.
Available in a 39 or 42mm platinum case, the H8 Sculptura can be specially ordered and then collected in person from the very hands of its creator, Beat Haldimann at his atelier in Thun, Switzerland.
The Final Word
Truly the H8 Sculptura is in a league of its own. Come anywhere within its proximity and the eye is irresistibly drawn to the hypnotic rotation of the tourbillion, spinning in constant harmony, completing a full rotation every 60 seconds. Stare at it long enough and you’ll soon realize that observing the passage of time is naught else but a foolish pursuit. It’s almost as though Haldimann is saying to us, ‘let us observe beauty, whilst we still can…”
Want to learn more? Check out the official website: www.uhren-atelier.ch
What do you think? Leave a comment. | Filed under New This Week, Wow Watch Wednesday
Be One Of The First To See Cartier’s Fine-Watchmaking Collection In Australia!
If you were living under a rock in January of this year you may have missed the remarkable spectacle of luxury giant Cartier firmly staking a claim on its place in the world of Haute Horology at the SIHH. Although we didn’t cover the presentation of their superb fine-watchmaking series in detail here on The Watch Lounge, we’ll gladly admit that we looked on in awe (along with the rest of the international watch community) as Cartier unveiled its most complicated collection to date.
Such is the allure of these sensational timepieces that we would suggest that any enthusiast or aficionado worth their salt would jump at the opportunity to get up close and personal with them, even if just for a short period of time. Sadly though, as with most limited high-end collections, that opportunity almost never presents itself, especially in a country as far away as say… Australia?
Until now that is.
That’s right Australian based watch-lovers (of which we know there are at least a few of you who read this on-line magazine), the Cartier fine-watchmaking collection is coming to town. Sydney to be precise. The collection will be on show in Cartier’s Boutique on Castlereagh Street for approximately two weeks, starting from this Friday.
However, it gets better. We are giving one lucky reader the opportunity to attend an exclusive viewing of the collection this Thursday night at 7pm as a guest reporter for The Watch Lounge. That means you’ll be one of the first people in Australia to see the collection up close and personal.
You’ll then have the opportunity to share your seasoned insights with your fellow watch-lovers as we publish your thoughts on this stunning new collection right here on The Watch Lounge for all to see.
Be quick though, as we can only guarantee one name on the list so the first person to email us will win the job for the night!
So don’t wait, send us an email now!
Good luck!
Watches pictured:
1. Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon watch (Pink Gold) © Cartier
2. Rotonde de Cartier skeleton flying tourbillon watch (White Gold) © Cartier
Wow Watch Wednesday: Claret’s Dual Tow
Yesterday we published Part.1 of an exclusive interview with Mr Christophe Claret, Founder and Owner of Christophe Claret SA, creators of the some of the world’s most complicated timepieces. In Part.1 Claret talked quite openly about his company and how they are fairing through the financial crisis, as well as his vision for the future of his company.
Today, in Part.2 we shift the focus to the DualTow, a superb timepiece created by Claret and released under the company’s brand name in 2009 to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
BaselWorld 2010 saw the return of the DualTow, in the form of an all black, highly attractive version aptly named the Night Eagle. Scheduled to be produced in a limited production of just 68 pieces, the sophisticated design allows for maximum viewing pleasure of the highly complicated movement housed within.
And believe us, you are going to want to see as much as possible!
As one would expect from such an accomplished brand the DualTow features several complications, including one patented innovation. Time is displayed on two rubber belts and the complex movement features a single-pusher planetary-gear chronograph with 12-hour, 60-minute and 60-second chronograph counters complete with striking mechanism that causes a gong to chime each time you press the chronograph pusher. As is standard on most high-end timepieces the DualTow also features a stunning flying tourbillon.
Priced at over half a million dollars, the DualTow truly showcased to the world what Claret is capable of and allowed him to well and truly step into the limelight. Fortunately, he was also willing to share some thoughts on this exceptional piece with us
Read on to find out what he had to say.
The all-black Claret DualTow Night Eagle
TWL: Let’s talk about the Dual Tow. How long did it take to make, from the very first sketch to the first unit?
CC: I can’t tell you that, it’s confidential, but I can tell you that we worked very hard and fast, way faster than the usual 3 to 4 years of development required for a new model, which is a standard in the industry…
TWL: Was there anything you learnt from the work you deliver every day for your clients that you incorporated into the Dual Tow?
CC: No, in fact, nothing we did not really know already… Sometimes our clients have specific requests that might not be, in my opinion, a good idea. On some occasions, I let them know my feeling, even if I’m not supposed to! And I must admit that most of the time, considering the final result, they should have listened to me!
TWL: What challenges did you face in perfecting the use of the belts to display the time?
CC: They are in rubber, on which we all have a good knowledge. The challenge was to guarantee that it would last decades. We tested if for a simulated 60 year period, without any problem.
TWL: What were the greatest technical challenges you faced in making this movement a reality?
CC: Clearly the differential chronograph – 12-hour, 60-minute and 60-second chronograph counters with operating mode indicators of the chronograph.
TWL: Does the final design resemble what you first imagined in your mind or has it changed dramatically from concept to reality?
CC: Yes, completely. We have issued a book on the genesis of the Dual Tow. If you look at the first sketches you will see that they are very similar to the final piece.
Original copy of one the very first sketches of the DualTow – Amazing!
TWL: What is next for Claret?
CC: First, our objective is to sell all the Dual Tow.
TWL: How many have you sold so far amongst the 68 units scheduled?
CC: 17. We plan to produce 22 units per year, which implies a complete production process for this model of around 3 years.
Then our second objective is to produce one novelty per year. Not sure if we’ll begin right from 2011, but we should be able to stick to the plan once the crisis is behind us.
On a day to day basis, I am trying to run the business whilst keeping all my staff of experts. I decided to introduce a reduced working week at the beginning of May so now my staff do not come into work on Fridays. Orders decreased this year, so I had to reduce our production pace and draw cash from our reserves, but so far, we’re safe! I’m reasonably confident we will achieve our goals.
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