Never dull: Bovet OttantaSei Tourbillon
Could we ever deny the inescapable connection between watchmaking and the automotive industry? Since the dawn of timekeeping, people have measured speed using various means, including for races involving athletes, horses, camels, dogs and, later on, cars. Until the quartz revolution, a precise chronometer was an accessory for professionals and/or the rich. With the advent of the automobile, watches became another way of showing off, not just a status symbol, reflecting not only the performance of the car but also the wearer's own taste and wealth. But this undeniable intertwining was also an opportunity for both industries to work together, and exchange technologies, materials and knowledge. Today, we are exploring a creation resulting from the collaboration of two fantastic Maisons, both with a rich history of superlatives and an exceptional heritage - Bovet by Pininfarina: Bovet 1822 Ottantasei Tourbillon.
What kind of watch for this kind of audience?
It was recently International Women's Day. Watch manufacturers, of course, are happy to have women as their clients, but the question arises: are women happy with the collections offered by watch manufacturers? The answer is: increasingly so.
Perpetual Calendar: the Concept, the Affordable, the Independent, the Sporty and the Prominent
A perpetual calendar wristwatch is a type of watch that tracks and displays the date, day of the week, month, and leap years. The display usually features a moon phase indicator as well. What sets it apart from a regular calendar watch is its ability to automatically adjust for the varying lengths of months and leap years, without the need for manual adjustment. This means that the watch will accurately display the correct date even during leap years and won’t require adjustment until the year 2100, which is a non-leap year, considering that the watch will run continuously until then.
AI – A Game Changer
During a recent meeting with friends, completely out of nowhere we got talking about the topic of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence. Someone said AI can be anyone it wants to be, even Einstein. There was one question that came to my mind: will artificial intelligence start creating grand complication watches in the near future?
Playing with the symbols of Christian Dior
On February 12, the French house of Christian Dior presents new watches in the Chiffre Rouge collection. The date is no coincidence: on February 12, 1947, designer Christian Dior presented his first collection in Paris, which, under the name of New Look, changed the course of fashion history. And this is not the only reference to the history and the symbols of the French brand.
Jewelry watches to consider (not only for Valentine’s Day): Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels
With Valentine’s Day marked in bold in the calendar, it's inevitable to start thinking about the best possible gifts. Whether for a loved one or for yourself, a watch holds a timeless significance. In this day and age, when time is ubiquitous, displayed by a multitude of devices, a watch embodies pure pleasure. Furthermore, certain timepieces transcend mere function, evolving into exquisite works of art and jewelry. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the watches I've selected for this article – two examples of artisanal craftsmanship and two more accessible yet equally stunning beauties for the wrist.
New Year, New Beginnings
The world of watches is moving in such a direction that it is difficult to predict what will happen next, especially after what happened in 2023. What will we remember most? For me, the number one event was Rolex's sensational purchase of the Bucherer chain, but there were also some disappointing second-hand market scandals.
The painstaking task of selecting the favorites of 2023.
As a watch enthusiast and journalist, I am often asked: “Which one is your favorite?“. With my face blushing at the sight of the pieces that I love the most, my heart pounding at the sight of horological complications, and my mouth drooling over exceptional finishes, it is hard to pinpoint my favorite every year. As a (sometimes) pragmatist, I understand why certain watches are loved, desired or bought more than others. It is like asking the mom or dad of a family with several children which is their favorite child – in theory, all of them are, but they might still recognize that they have a favorite.
The BOVET 1822 Virtuoso XI
Year after year, BOVET 1822 continues to amaze with technical pieces of exceptional craftsmanship. And because the independent brand never disappoints but rather surprises, this year’s main piece, the Virtuoso XI, is yet another example of a contemporary tribute to pocket watches executed at the highest level of craftsmanship – now an expected characteristic of the 200-year-old brand.
What’s next with Only Watch?
I was looking forward to this auction and I was keen to see the surprise that was being prepared by Patek Philippe. Unfortunately, it never came. To make matters worse, the general atmosphere around the organisers of Only Watch has been growing tenser with every passing day, so now they really need to do something to regain their credibility.