In the past few months I’ve received a handful (OK maybe just two) emails from readers asking why I never post any industry news like a lot of other watch blogs do. Well to be honest becoming a go-to site for watch industry news was never my objective. There are enough sites doing that. And frankly, I can’t give any opinions or insight on a watch I’ve never held or seen before.
So what I’m offering instead is a weekly rundown of what I consider some of the most interesting bits of news from the last week or so, as well as a list of recommended reading material from other watch sites.
So without further ado, here’s the first issue of The Sunday Horophile Times.
NEWS
HYT: New H1 and H2 Models
I don’t know about you, but I still find the original HYT H1 one of the most innovative watches of our times. The paradox of a liquid within a mechanical watch continues to fascinate me. This year, instead of presenting a totally new watch like they did with the H2 last year, HYT are releasing a handful of variations on the H1 and H2 models at Baselworld in a few weeks. This includes new case materials and fluid colors, which involve far more than just switching up the pigments. More on that later.
Thomas Prescher “Nemo Sub I”
Independent watchmaker Thomas Prescher, best known for his mind-boggling multi-axis tourbillons and sculptural “Tempusvivendi” watches has recently unveiled 3D renderings of what could be one of the wildest watches of our time, the Jules Verne inspired “Nemo Sub I”. While we won’t be seeing this at Baselworld this year, I sincerely hope this piece makes it to production in the not-too-distant future.
Arnold & Son TB Victory
The Swiss watch brand with an English heritage Arnold & Son is paying tribute to one of the greatest vessels in English maritime history with a unique edition of the “TB Victory”. The watch features a central “true beat” or dead seconds hand and a gold appliqué of the HMS Victory, and will be presented to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Lord Nelson would be proud.
Vincent Calabrese Hora Nova Tourbillon Regulator
If you like your watches see-through, then you’ll absolutely love the new Vincent Calabrese Hora Nova Tourbillon Regulator. Using a sapphire case and a linear movement (Vincent is the man behind Corum’s iconic “Golden Bridge”) the watch is probably going to be the most transparent we’ll be seeing at Baselworld.
MCT Sequential Two Teaser:
MCT (Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps) have teased the first image of their first fully in-house developed and manufactured movement that will go into their 2nd upcoming watch line, the Sequential Two. Can’t wait ‘til Baselworld!
RECOMMENDED READING:
Speaking of Arnold & Son, DreamChrono.com share some insight into the brand’s namesake’s illustrious history.
http://blog.dreamchrono.com/2014/02/arnold-son-brand-profile/
ABlogToWatch.com offer us a hands-on look at a watch from a relatively new brand with a pretty cool concept, where a polarizing glass technology allows the wearer to transform the watch from a solid (or so it appears) black dial to a skeleton. Here’s the best post of the Revelation R03 I’ve yet to come across. http://www.ablogtowatch.com/revelation-r03-chronograph-watch-review/
WatchCollectingLifestyle give us an exclusive hands-on look at the all-new Omega Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial. I don’t know about you but I absolutely love the retro styling! Thanks for the awesome photos WatchCollectingLifestyle.
http://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/insider-the-new-pre-baselworld-omega-speedmaster-mark-ii-co-axial-chronograph-live-pictures-and-pricing
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Piaget Altiplano 900P, current holder of the “world’s thinnest mechanical watch” was my favorite watch at SIHH 2014. Marco Gabella of Watchonista shares his take on this spectacular wafer of watch.
And last but not least, HODINKEE give us a live preview of the recently announced Jaeger LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition à Quantième Perpetuel 8 Jours SQ.
