New Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar timepiece – bound to win over those who appreciate grand watch complications

  Baume & Mercier, the Swiss watchmaking Maison founded in 1830, affiliated to the Richemont group, revealed a new watch interpretation that combines the BM13 version of the Baumatic movement with a perpetual calendar watch complication. The new Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar timepiece – revealed at SIHH 2019/ Salon international de la haute horlogerie in … Read more

Is Time Running Out for Wrist Watches?

 

MB&F watch 2018
photo: MB&F

Technology is moving fast, and it’s taking over old traditions in multiple markets. Take the old wrist watch,for example. It’s simplicity yet complex design has a sort of timelessness and luxury to it, even as the smart watch takes over in the digital age. The so-called redundancy of the wrist watch has been cast aside by those who appreciate old and valuable traditions. Is time running out for wrist watches? We think not, especially if you enjoy to invest in a little luxury.

The pocket watch could be considered the birth of personal timekeeping. Then with progression in technology came the famous and much-loved famous and much-loved wrist watch. With design progressing over time over time, wrist watches began to integrate features such as dates, stopwatches and even water resistancy. Although these advancements could tempt away watch owners for more high-end luxury pieces, the craftsmanship always proveiled. Admittedly, these new tools only incrementally challenge the wrist watch compared to the disruption of smart technology, It is a testament of people’s loyalty to traditional design.

Hublot BigBangUnico King Gold Pavé now available in 42 mm
Hublot BigBangUnico King Gold Pavé in 42 mm; photo: Hublot

In a timely fashion

When considering a stunning watch composition, one may picture sand blasted, high grade metal watch hands, chamfered edges and a harmony of precious gemstones. However, it can be argued that modern smart watches are the epitome of great design, the appreciation moves from the mechanical components of a seamless line of metal passing over numbers representing the current time, to an adaptive and complex computer chip offering endless possibilities. One is stunningly simplistic and the other is complicated, but both carry the art of human creativity and intelligence. So, drastic movements in the watch industry may appear to be diminishing the significance of a wrist watch, but if anything, developing functions of a watch only reaffirms desires to have one  within its appropriateness of modern life.

The purpose of a watch is quite simple, offering information intuitively. However, as contemporary lifestyles have evolved, a day in the complex life of a modern individual requires a slightly less simplistic approach to time management. Drastic increases of smartphone use provide opportunities, not only can you find the time and date straight from the lock screen, smartphones manage your time for you, offering alerts for calendars, timers and notifications for everything you have throughout the day. Often you can negate to time check to see when you are meeting for brunch with your closest friends because your phone will tell you what time your appointment is, what time to leave and where to go.

Chopard L.U.C XPS watch for impeccable elegance and technical sophistication
Chopard L.U.C XPS; photo: Chopard

Tradition always wins on value

Both traditional and smart wrist watches offer timely assistance and are kind to the eye. with their convenient placements. and are kind to the eye. However, are their abilities overshadowed by the advancements of smartphones? Also located conveniently in the pocket, a handbag or already in hand, with adults spending an average of 24 hours a week on the internet.

Especially with modern watches carrying features such as notifications, phone calling and GPS. Does the performance between the smartphone and wrist watch highlight a contrast, and spotlight the limitations of a ‘real’ watch. Time could be running out for wrist watches, as businesses try to incorporate often useless features which are no match for your smart devices.

It would be close minded to exclude the benefits of a wrist watch and it’s design prowess. Simply because people enjoy the functional benefits of a smart watch, just like the functional benefits of sportswear, does not mean one would wear running trainers and thermal vests everyday. Suits are still a favourite choice amongst many and nothing completes smart casual like an exquisitely designed wrist watch.

The Peli 1400 is a crushproof, waterproof and dustproof case that comes with a Lifetime Guarantee
The Peli 1400 is a crushproof, waterproof and dustproof case that comes with a Lifetime Guarantee; photo: thecasefarm.co.uk

Watch out for watches – they’re here to stay

Watch lovers have always lived with the sweet freedom of choice, switching watches from your collection with the help of drawers, displays and crush proof and water proof watch cases from the likes of the Case Farm. This routine marries perfectly even with smart watches. The traditional wrist watch has always been challenged, but has never been more appealing in our over-complicated world that we live in.

PELI 10X WATCH CASE - INDESTRUCTIBLE PELI WATCH CASE
PELI 10X WATCH CASE – INDESTRUCTIBLE PELI WATCH CASE; photo: thecasefarm.co.uk

Hautlence HL Vagabonde Tourbillon watch – a unique take on the wandering hours display

  Creating new ways of reading the time has been HAUTLENCE‘s vocation since its creation in 2004. Hautlence HLVagabonde 03 watch presented at SIHH 2019 is firmly in line with this philosophy. In a case made from grade 5 titanium, the HTL 205-1 self-winding calibre moves the three hour satellites which gravitate around the central … Read more

Grönefeld 1941 Principia watch – a Movement for Connoisseurs

    Each Grönefeld 1941 Principia is delivered with a high quality, double axis, watch-winder made by Bernard Favre.  Almost three years after the release of their multiple award winning 1941 Remontoire watch,  Bart and Tim Grönefeld revealed their first automatically wound timepiece the “1941 Principia”. The ‘Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica’ often referred to as … Read more

Panerai Submersible diving watches  – suitable for wearing during the most challenging enterprises

  Panerai Submersible diving watches presented at SIHH 2019 are the expression of the exceptional technical performance. For a long time the Panerai watches have been used exclusively by the Italian Navy. At the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2019 in Geneva, Panerai presented spectacular experiences and new product concepts faithful to the brand DNA. … Read more

Urwerk AMC is not just a fascinating combination of atomic, and mechanical watchmaking systems

THE URWERK AMC PROJECT: A world first in the history of watchmaking debuted at SIHH 2019 in Geneva. Urwerk, the award-winning watch manufacture based in Geneva, Switzerland, known for its avant-garde designs and new indications and complications,  also presented the UR-105 CT MAVERICK timepiece – a self winding Maverick in bronze and titanium, and the selfwinding … Read more