aBlogtoRead.com » Watch Art

Timekeeper Chronometire Mystery Of Time: Table Clock Art

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:08:55 +0000

Picture this: a rather large table with a clock that rises out out the column style leg through the center of the table. The clock slowly rises up when a sensor is hit with light - meant to be activated by the morning sun. When the clock "chapel" finishes its ascent a series of sections open up like a flower to reveal a "mystery clock," earth and moon planetarium, and a giant tourbillon that spins on three axis points. That is more of less what the "Mystery of Time" clock by Timekeeper Chronometrie and Atelier Knesebeck in Germany is all about. These artistic luxury horology creations are super limited, and super expensive. You also better have a spare room to put it.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Disney’s Tick Tock Tale Short Film

admin — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 07:03:42 +0000

Thanks to a Facebook friend I was able to learn about this new animated short film from Disney Animation called Tick Tock Tale. It is one of those shorter cartoons that will play before a feature length movie - just like Pixar (also owned by Disney does). I am excited about this for a few reasons. One, I love to see pop-culture fascination with timepieces, and two, it is actually animation by Disney again! About a decade ago I heard news that Disney vowed to only do computer animation moving forward. Which in my mind basically was a deathblow for traditional animation. Animation would get simpler, cheaper, and the lush scenery and production values we know from mid 20ths century Disney stuff would die.

Disney was more or less dead for a long time in the animation department. Instead relying on Pixar to create new content, and itself only banking on existing characters. Maybe that will chance. I am happy to see that a department called "Disney Animation" even exists!

Not sure when Tick Tock Tale will show up, but I imagine within the next few months it will debut in front of a Disney movie. The story seems to involve a watch and clock store robbery and the "alive" mechanical machines in the store who rescue the stolen items. Let's see how well the animations got the mechanical part versus quartz part in the pieces. The animation looks beautiful and I look forward to seeing the entire short film soon.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Audemars Piguet 2009 Corporate Watch Making Film ...

Intro Into Enamel: FHH Video On Enameling Techniques For Watches

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:45:10 +0000

This was a very interesting and informative video (translated to English from French) that recently came out from the FHH about enamel work on watches, and the four various types of techniques that are primarily used for watch dials. Many of us don't even recognize enamel art on watches - or cannot appreciate what goes into it. It is very tough work done by highly skilled (and patient) master artists who have been doing it for years. To get it just right on a watch dial can take a few tries as there is always risk involved in not only the actual painting, but also the 800 degree plus baking process. Most watches with "paintings" on them utilize enamel. This is because enamel lasts a long time, is hardy, will not fade, and has extremely bold and beautiful looks when done well. There is also the concept that a master worker hand-loved the dial of the watch and now you get to wear it.

Not being an expert on enamel, I can't go into a lot of detail about it, but here it is in a nut shell. Oh, and you can read more about enamel art on Wikipedia here. It starts with a substrate which is metal, crystal, ceramic, or likewise. Applied to substrate is glass powder, sometimes made into a paint or gel-like form. This glass substance is colored, by use of various chemicals during the creation of the glass. Sometimes the substrate has barrier made in it to create "cells." Just think about how a stained glass window is made This type of enamel work is called "Cloisonné ". After these cells are made, the artist can apply various colors in each cell or blend colors in each cell. The cells are there to create definitive shapes. Once the enamel is applied it must be "baked" in a high temperature to chemically seal the glass to the substrate. This is why enamel lasts so long and is so hard.

Another part of enamel work is the various type of engraving that is involved. Engraving the metal substrate before the enamel is applied is called "Champlevé," which is a very common type of enamel work done on watch dials. There each area that is engraved must be baked separately, but the results can be beautiful. There are other types of engravings that can be done. This can be manually done with tools, or via acid solutions. I don't specifically know whether engravings take place before or after the enamel is baked - or during both times.

Skilled enamel workers can also complete miniature enamel paintings. This is an accumulation of efforts and results in a detailed painting done with enamel that is miniature (watch dial sized). This is often done on the reverse of a watch crystal - so in a sense the painting is done backwards. First, the most intimate details are applied and then colors are placed behind the smaller details. Not all enamel paintings are done in reserve on the back of sapphire crystals, but this is common in these uncommon watches. There are a tons of techniques and what they each share is a remarkably artistic and seemingly impossible outcome that takes your watch from being a mere functional tool to something which is undeniably "art." One of the reasons that enamel work is hard to do relates not only with the incredible delicacy of the process and small areas to work with, but with the heating process that can change the size and shape - or sometimes color of what the artist has created. There is no going back and fixing it after it has baked - as far as I know. Interesting stuff, and I am looking forward to getting a nice enamel painting watch someday.

Check out the insightful video from The Fondation de la Haute Horlogeire on enamel painting and watches here.

Image credits go to FHH (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie).

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Hulk Smash! Churchill Watch Co. Of London Comes Pre-Crushed

admin — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:14:40 +0000

There is something sadistic in this watch. What is it trying to say about time and your timepiece? Maybe people will think you should not be messed with. "He was able to crush his watch and keep it running with the crystal intact?!" Alternatively this is pure Dali-esqueÂ art with a slightly different take on the surrealist master. I don't know much about Churchill Watch Co. that was/is based out of London, but I take it the English watch company is not very popular (at least anymore) as I cannot find much mention of them online. Nevertheless, during at least one point they were brave enough to release with Churchill Crush watch. This piece is apparently #6 out of a limited edition of 100.

The watch itself is a manually wound, 18k gold cased watch with a lot of character. Despite the twisted dimensions, it has an attractive legible face. The construction and design of the watch place it in the 1960s or 70s, maybe a bit earlier. The gold case with a black face and white Roman numeral hands is actually pretty swanky looking. In fact, this would be a cool watch if it was completely vertically eye-shaped. With its intentional disfigurements it is still interesting. I like how the crown even looks crushed up a bit. Something makes me want to suggest that this would be the perfect watch for the Elephant Man.

One of these interesting Churchill Crush watches is available on eBay right now. Given the fact that it is a rare limited edition watch and in pure gold, the $3,800 price seems reasonable.

See Churchill watches on eBay here.

Royal Air Force Military Wrist Watch Winston Churchill

US $18.95

MELTING WATCH DIAL MADE BY CHURCHILL WATCH CO

US $3.99

New Winston Churchill Crown commemorative pocketwatch

US $78.74

Van Der Bauwede Magnum Churchill Polished Solid 925 Case Cal35 XXL $7950 LNIB

US $3,700.00

Silver fusee pocket watch hall marked case Churchill

US $300.00

Lip 1663012 Sir Winston Churchill Analogue Watch with Gold Plated Case Two Tone

US $256.71

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

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Watch & Car Art Together By French Artist Philippe Burlet

admin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:07:16 +0000

French painter Philippe Burlet knows his way around a brush as well as cars and watches. Burlet's medium of choice is watercolors, which he uses to aptly recreate the essence of sport racing and the watch loving spirit. Although relatively obscure in the United States, Burlet is a favorite among European motor sports enthusiasts, who often commission work from the talented painter.

Burlet was not always an artist, but lived a life around automobiles. Somewhere in the mix he developed an eye for watches and seemingly became fascinated by their connection to fine cars. Burlet has a penchant for painting Ferrari cars both new and old. Though he does of course recreate other automobiles in watercolor as well.

His art featuring watches portrays them in a larger than life manner, appearing bigger than their accompanying cars. This interesting practice serves to emphasize the shape and function of the watches as opposed to their status as timepieces only. This type of work can only come from someone with a deep appreciation and understanding for the mechanical make up of his artistic subjects.

Burlet almost exclusively paints images relating to automobile and motorcycle sports, along with watches. While his art style is not meant to be photo realistic, it can be described as "preservationist," meaning that his work preserves each and every detail of what he is painting, yet adding his own artistic style.

The work is perfectly suited for anyone who enjoys the style and has a passion for racing or watches, as Burlet's work is available for purchase. You can visit his French/English language site here, or his United States based site here, to learn more about available originals or prints.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Layered Damascus Steel Makes For A Beautiful Timepiece In The Angular Momentum COLOR-TEC Collection Damascene

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:25:15 +0000

It should be clear that Angular Momentum is one of those luxury brands that feel comfortable with endless experimentation. I am amazed at the sheer wealth of watch designs the company has offered over the years. That combined with their one-off pieces and limited editions make for a brand that is worth watching constantly. I am always pleasantly surprised.

The process of layering steel has been going on for over a thousand years. Mostly in Japan to make swords. You know the typical Katana blade? I recall being in a Japanese sword museum in Tokyo, and seeing a good sampling of these swords. They had a few that were made literally over a thousand year ago, and looks like they were just made. This incredibly hardiness is a testament not only to Japanese dedication for their craft, but also the longevity of layered steel (part of process to prevent oxidation is the habitual oiling of the blades as I understand).

This layered/mosaic steel process is also known as Damascus steel. After the steel is layered, it is polished and shaped, with the thin lines of each steel later becoming visible. Often times there is a rainbow of color present which represents the effect of heat on the steel in the various elements in the steel that occur during the manufacture process. Damascus steel is commonly found today in high end knives and sometimes swords, which are mostly made for decoration. Occasionally however, you'll see the process used in watch making, which is the case with this wonderful Angular Momentum watch.

This is the Angular Momentum COLOR-TEC Damascene Ref. 9003, and represents what is in my opinion the most aesthetically pleasing of the Damascus steel COLOR-TEC watches in the collection. The Damascene has a case forged by Johan Gustafsson in Sweden, which makes sense give the various metallurgy bases in the country (coincidentally, Gustafsson's popularity sparked the creation of the new Gustafsson & Sjogren watch brand). Often time watch makers are happy to source expert methodology when something is not their forte. The difficulty is in finding the right partner, and apparently Angular Momentum knows where to find the right people.

There is a distinct blacksmithy look to this watch, which is good. The shape of the case is deceptively refined, as it appears quite industrial. An octagonal case frames a four bolted torx screw bezel, and round dial. The dial has twelve drilled pits that serve as the hour markers, and simple, but effective hands that don't distract from the artistic qualities of the rest of the watch.

Damascus steel often has a look of wood grain, as you can see in this watch. The effect adds an earthy quality to an otherwise highly industrialized look. The combination here is flattering to both design aesthetics and gives the watch a timeless quality - as though it could have been made yesterday or 500 years ago. The various levels and layers of the case construction add to the visual intrigue, making this an extremely beautiful watch.Further, for protection purposes, the steel itself is layered in an ultra thin layer of synthetic sapphire crystal similar to that used to make the sapphire crystal dial and caseback cover.

Inside is an Angular Momentum automatic mechanical movement likely based on the ETA 2824-2 movement. The red decorated rotor can be viewed through the back along with the movement. You really get a sense of how thickly constructed the watch is by looking through the back and noticing how deep the dial is. The Damascene has simple looking set of lugs, which are purposely functional looking, and actually do go well with the contrasting angular and organic shapes on the case overall. A tidy black leather strap is nice and helps stress that visual attention remain on the watch case and body.

I think that this Angular Momentum COLOR-TEC Damascene deserves an aBlogtoRead.com Seal of Approval award. It is hard to refute the good looks of this watch, and the clever combination of ancient and modern techniques. Price is about $15,000 US. Well done (again) Angular Momentum.

See Angular Momentum watches on eBay here.

See Angular Momentum watches on Amazon here.

New ANGULAR MOMENTUM Tage Olsen Black Dial 7010 Watch Very Rare Limited Edition

US $1,788.88

Angular Momentum Ariki Surf Tide Swiss Watch Red

US $475.00

Angular Momentum AXIS I Navigator Swiss Automatic Watch

US $2,400.00

Angular Momentum AXIS VI Digital Swiss Automatic Watch

US $2,800.00

Angular Momentum AXIS XX Classic Islamic Swiss Automatic Watch White

US $2,400.00

Angular Momentum AXIS XXI Pulsus Swiss Automatic Watch

US $2,400.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

The Perfect Election Day Timepiece: Thomas Prescher Tempusvivendi American Eagle Watch

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:40:28 +0000

Today is going to be a historic day, and call it a hunch, but I have a feeling that we are going to be discussing the election for a while, though I hope this isn't going to be another Floridian style ballot disaster, but I digress. Today, all Americans can appreciate a watch of this ilk. While this is a Swiss watch, the representation of the American Bald Eagle in its symbolic stance is perfectly crafted. The golden emblem does the great American seal justice. But that isn't the gist of it, this is a watch as well.

The Thomas Prescher Tempusvivendi series is based on a double retrograde movement meant to display the hours and minutes through two moving hands. The movement is an automatic mechanical movement with a 40 hour power reserve and a special push button on the crown. Pushing the button returns the hands to the position in the pictures. This is the "resting" or non-temporal position of the watch hands. This so you can see the American Eagle in its more regal of states. Pushing the button again returns the hands to a temporal position so that you can view the time. Thus, you have these two moves of operation at your disposal.

Looking on the rear of the watch you can see the very finely decorated movement in gold, with a 22k gold rotor with has been engraved with the Thomas Prescher winged logo. The engraving is a mixture of guilloche and hand engraving. Top quality work.

The American Eagle on the dial, along with all its parts are also done in white gold, and mostly hand engraved. Trust that meticulous detain is involved in each part, with all imperfections being canned. The dial itself is enamel. Size wise the case is 43mm and the strap is hand stitched crocodile. Of course it comes in a nice wooden box.

Watches such as this with retrograde arms were popular in the 18th century, and a bit into the 19th century. Their complexity and character being cherished. As they became a bit less practical, and most decorative, their numbers subsided, but the creative watch maker could always produce something inspiring such as this Tempusvivendi. Thomas Prescher delights in the 'old" and really excels and making such artistry feel fresh again.

So here you have a perfectly American watch, from a Swiss watch master. I'd like to see all new appointments to civil office be required to adorn watches such as this, though we might need more economical versions for most elected officials. The Thomas Prescher Tempusvivendi American Eagle goes for about $64,000.

See Thomas Prescher and American Eagle watches on eBay here.

See American Eagle watches on Amazon here.

WATCH CRYSTAL 1960 BULOVA AMERICAN EAGLE NEW OLD STOCK ACRYLIC WATCH CRYSTAL

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Pocket Watch GOLD TONE AMERICAN EAGLE GENEVA CHAIN

US $.01

Pocket Watch SILVER tone AMERICAN EAGLE CHAIN

US $.01

AMERICAN EAGLE heart detailed SILVER WATCH MUST SEE DEAL

US $14.99

AMERICAN EAGLE SILVER WATCH MUST SEE DEAL

US $14.99

AMERICAN EAGLE SILVER WATCH MUST SEE DEAL

US $14.99

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Thomas Prescher Tourbillon Trilogy Watches Are The Most Elegant And Refined Tourbillon Watches I’ve Ever Know

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:24:42 +0000

Thomas Prescher is another one of those lucky watch making prodigies. The type of person who just innately understands how to design, make, and improve watches. The young watch maker began the brand in about 2002 after working at a few of the top watch manufactures. This is the typical path for gifted watch makers. Owning their own brand is a lot of work, and a great wrist, but if you have proven yourself, the financial backing will always be there. Especially when you can clients pre-order watches that are yet to be made.

Thomas Prescher has a small, yet very interesting line of watches, and I would like to focus on the Tourbillon Trilogy collection in this article. The Trilogy collection has three different types of tourbillon movements, even though they look similar. The visual differences are remarked in the watch cases, which are a square, cushion, and round shape. The square watch holds a single tourbillon. Meaning it travels along one axis. Then a double tourbillon for cushion case, and finally a triple axis tourbillon in the round case.

Why all the fuss about the number of axises that a tourbillon travels around? To be honest, it is only two things; visual splendor and bragging rights. Thomas Prescher is the first watch maker to successfully place a triple axis tourbillon in a wrist watch. "They said it could not be done!" Well what ever "they" said, it was done, and in a manner that is outstanding to view. Because when it comes down to it, that is the purpose of tourbillon movements in wrist watches. To look cool and complication, which does to the visual splendor element I referred to.

Because a tourbillon is inherently complicated an delicate, a premium is place upon these watches, the more complex it is, then the rarer, and inherently more desirable it is. Prescher is just adding to the bar which must be met for watches to be considered ultra complex these days.

The Thomas Prescher Tourbillon watches ensure that the focal point of the designs are the tourbillon cages. This is the area where the tourbillon is located. Again, a tourbillon is a rotating escapement whose idea it is to increase the accuracy of a watch, although they are mainly for show. Because this escapement is constantly moving, they are an excellent aspect of a watch to focus on. As such, the Prescher watches feature viewing windows for the flying tourbillons contained within; with a view all the way through the watch. Thomas Prescher really went to great lengths to create a new kind of flying tourbillon. One that is held in place by a single arm. On the double tourbillon the arm spins (one per a minute), and on the triple tourbillon the arm spins and rotating (once per an hour) around the tourbillon carriage. The spinning frequencies are synced to the hour and minute of the watch time itself.

Rightly, the Thomas Prescher watches use the entire dial design to frame the torbillon cage window. The watch itself is nicely integrated into the dial, but very high legibility given the small size. Design inspirations come from classic 18th century guilloche machine work, and art deco. The result is a modern interpretation of classic watch maker aesthetic without running the risk of becoming dated anytime soon. In addition to the fine hand machines face of the watch, the rear is so nicely decorated it makes me want to weep. Honestly, the refinement and attention to detail are so impressive, I can't even look at most mainstream super luxury watches the same way again. Thomas Prescher seems to have that ultra meticulous attention to detail that is needed in any master watch maker. As such, he wanted to create a new type of guilloche design pattern. Look at the rear of the Tourbillon watches and notice the triangular patterns. For me, they remind me of the Triforce in the Legend of Zelda video games, and if you don't know what I am talking about, then they just look cool, ok?

Going back to the front of the watch, it is easy to miss little details. Take the hands for example which are fashioned from single blocks of gold, and machined until the highly polished, faceted hands are perfect. The miniature detail is so impressive. The tourbillon care has a small plaque with what I believe is the watch's serial number. Each is individually numbered, and you know exactly how many of them came before yours; a number that is likely not to be very high.

The case materials are gold or platinum, with a lot of gold in the watch itself. The dials are made of silver, which is an excellent metal for polishing and engraving. You probably want to know a few details about watch 'numbers." I will just copy and paste a bit directly from Thomas Prescher below. Oh, and of course the movement is manually wound.

Movement
Diameter: 37 mm
Height: 5.43 mm without bridge over the ratchet wheels
6.46 mm with bridge over the ratchet wheels
Height of the rotating tourbillon: 12.2 mm
Beat rate / frequency: 21.600 beats per hour
Number of barrels: 2
Power reserve: 42 hours
Number of jewels: 67
Number of sub dials: 3
Indications: minutes and hours; seconds; tourbillon

Tourbillon
Number of axis: 3
Bearings: all flying
Revolving time first axis: 1 minute
Revolving time second axis: 1 minute
Revolving time third axis: 1 hour
Remontoir/force constant: in the cage, first axis
System of force constant: slowness of weight
Reloading time of constant force: with every beat
Diameter of balance: 9.5 mm
Diameter of cage: 13.4 mm
Diameter of the complete Tourbillon: inner diameter: 15.6mm
outer diameter: 23.1mm
Weight of the first axis: 0.347 g
Weight of the first and second axis: 0.766 g
Weight of the turning Tourbillon parts: 2.879 g
Weight of the complete Tourbillon: 4.472 g

Special features:

* The complete Tourbillon rests in flexible springs to absorb any shocks.
* The third axis is synchronized with the minute hand, with each revolving one time per hour.
* The time setting turns the third tourbillon axis, so minute hand will rest synchronic with the third tourbillon axis.

Thomas Prescher Trilogy Tourbillon watch series details:

Movement
Diameter: 37 mm
Height: 5.43 mm without bridge over the ratchet wheels; 6.46 mm with bridge over the ratchet wheels
Height of the rotating tourbillon: 12.2 mm
Beat rate / frequency: 21.600 beats per hour
Number of barrels: 2
Power reserve: 42 hours
Number of jewels: 67
Number of sub dials: 3
Indications: minutes and hours; seconds; tourbillon

Tourbillon
Number of axis: 3
Bearings: all flying
Revolving time first axis: 1 minute
Revolving time second axis: 1 minute
Revolving time third axis: 1 hour
Remontoir/force constant: in the cage, first axis
System of force constant: slowness of weight
Reloading time of constant force: with every beat
Diameter of balance: 9.5 mm
Diameter of cage: 13.4 mm
Diameter of the complete Tourbillon: inner diameter: 15.6mm; outer diameter: 23.1mm
Weight of the first axis: 0.347 g
Weight of the first and second axis: 0.766 g
Weight of the turning Tourbillon parts: 2.879 g
Weight of the complete Tourbillon: 4.472 g

Special features:

Jewels total: 57
First axis: 15
Balance: 5
Escapement: 4
Constant Force: 4
Axis: 2
Second axis: 6
Arm: 2
First reduction axis: 2
Second reduction axis: 2
Third axis: 18
Ball - bearing: 10 Balls
diameter 0.6 mm each
Setting mechanism: 4
Driving train of gear: 4
Time indicating system: 4
Movement: 18
Time indication system: 12
Driving mechanism: 6

Case:
Material: Platinum
Diameter: 41 mm
Length (over lugs): 53.58 mm
Weight : 96.7 g
Height total: 16.1 mm
Strap: Leather
Buckle: Platinum

Developing time: very long
Prototyping: about 12 weeks

For me, the square case is very attractive, but the watch of choice is of course the triple tourbillon which comes in the round case. But you know what, I a sure if you want the triple tourbillon in a square case, Mr. Prescher will grant you wish. You get treatment like that for these prices ($$$,$$$). Look at the three videos to learn a few things. First, a good visual presentation of the synced rotation of the tourbillon (to hours and minutes), and then a bit about the Thomas Prescher brand. You might be paying a pretty penny for objects like this, but you are buying more than a superior quality nice watch. By owning a Thomas Prescher watch, you can honestly say that "I am in possession of one of the most 'complicated watches' in the world" given the functions, that features some of the top levels of refinement and craftsmanship that money can buy, at any price. This really represents a pinnacle of horological appreciation.

Visit the Thomas Prescher watches Tourbillon collection page here.

See Thomas Prescher and tourbillon watches on eBay here.

See tourbillon watches on Amazon here.

Mens Automatic Mechanical Moon Phase S Steel Wrist Tourbillon Watch DATE

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Silver Steel HQ White Dial Subdials Mens Automatic Tourbillon Watch MOONPHASE

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Amazing Red Dial AUTO Tourbillon Mens Watch Xmas Gift

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Men LARGE TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL WATCH FLE008a

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EYKI New Automatic Mechanical Tourbillon Skeleton Mens Leather Watch W Box

US $43.99

Harry Winston Project Z5 Tourbillon Dual Time 45mm BNIB

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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Welcome To A Pinnacle Of Taste And Technology. May I Please Present You With: The Dogs Playing Poker Gold Watch

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:52:40 +0000

You've waited for this. The moment has come when you can truly combine your elevated sense of artistic taste and deep appreciation for mechanical prowess, all combining together in a potent mix to imbibe your thirst for luxury. Oh yes, the painting you know and love; the one that you have posters of in several rooms in your house. Perhaps laminated for table settings, and transposed on to a welcome mat in front on your abode. The classic, dare I say legendary, painting that is Cassius Marcellus Coolidge's "A Bold Bluff," can now be worn on your wrist.

Watch maker Anderson Geneve takes its Montre A Tact watch line to base the Montre A Tact Poker models. In addition to being a poker conversation piece, it also offers some special functionality for poker players. A sapphire crystal covered cutout around the side of the watch located between the lugs at the bottom of the watch reveals the rotating disc that tells the time. This allows the wearer to check the time without having to move their wrist (and risk revealing their hand). A nice little attention to detail that Anderson is known for.

Inside the 18k gold case lies a mechanical automatic movement. Not sure what the movement is, but it is easy enough to modify many movements to tell via turning a single disc. Aside from telling the time in the side window, you can also see a much more decorated view of the disc through the watch dial. Alternating between poker chips and playing card poker hands, the hours are whimsically represented. As such, here are the poker hands represented; 2 o’clock = four of a kind, 4 o’clock = straight flush, 6 o’clock = flush, 8 o’clock = straight, 10 o’clock = full house, 12 o’clock = royal flush.

And then there is the replicated painting of those dogs. Those oh so well anthropomorphized dogs that only a man's man can appreciate. Think of even sitting in the room depicted in the painting; red painted walls? Green drapes? What, is this Santa Claus' rec room? I love the green tinted alligator strap on the watch, that would really not fit well with any other watch. This is not the watch to wear in the presence of women, as they will think you mad for spending so much on something that so utterly repulses them. No, only a true connoisseur of man paraphernalia will appreciate this. The kind of guy who wears it while admiring himself wearing a smoking jacket in front of his gold-plated Budweiser promotional mirror mounted on the wall.

Be it known that Anderson Geneve can fully customize this watch in terms of the section where the painting is located. Have a better idea for an image? They can put it there for you. Just ask. What other animals playing poker are there painting's of though?

See Anderson Geneve & A Blog Bluff items on eBay here.

See A Bold Bluff Items on Amazon here.

DOGS PLAYING POKER PRINT POSTER A Bold Bluff Coolidge

US $13.49

A Bold Bluff Reprint Brown Bigelow Year Unknown Collectible

US $10.00

Waterloo Dogs Art Poster Print A Bold Bluff

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Amanti Art A Bold Bluff Framed Art Print by CM Coolidge DSW75002

US $115.00

Waterloo Dogs Art Poster Print A Bold Bluff

US $6.99

A Bold Bluff Dogs Playing Poker Coolidge Print Poster Poster 25x19

US $18.04

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Two Engraved Skeletonized Beauties: The Patek Philippe ‘Art Piece” 5180/1 And The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Squelette Watches

admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:32:33 +0000

This is not going to be one of those articles that is seeped in watch movement technicalities. This is going to be about the visual appreciation of thorough watch decoration. Sometime you want a watch that is just stunning to look at. You gaze deeply in its rich complexity noticing minute details bearing the attention of the engraving tools, and you consider again, that luxury has a face.

IWC and Patek Philippe are known for creating high quality, high desire watches. Though they are not known for highly decorated watches, at least on the face. Rather, most IWC and Patek Philippe watches are conservative and classic, but in a good way. These watches represent extremes for the brands, and as such are limited editions. I"d like for you to compare the different types of engraving that the watches have. The IWC is done by the wonderful Jochen Benzinger, while Patek Philippe uses another (perhaps internal) process that is more like arabesque.

Both watches are also skeletonized. This is an interesting process whereby decoration on the movement is complimented by an actually decorated movement. Almost all necessary metal is removed, and just the bare 'skeleton' of the movement is retained. This way you can seriously appreciate all aspects of the watch. Skeletonized watches make the dials less legible, but the trade off is having a beautiful machine to look at on your wrist.

The Patek Philippe 5180 and 5181 (two different metals used) are part of Patek Philippe's Art Collection. Watches that are designed to be beautiful. This 39mm wide watch contains Patek Philippe's own Caliber 240 automatic movement, that has a mini-rotor. Why a mini-rotor? because it allows for better view of the movement, that is why they were developed. The movement is pretty basic, just the time, but you'd never know it was simple based on how lovely it looks. Like the best skeletonized watches, you see right through the movement through the double sapphire crystal windows (with a slight blue tint). Really nice watch, and you can sure there there is mostly gold in this case and bracelet.

The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Squelette is a different type of skeletonized watch altogether. Rather than decorating a simple movement as with the Patek Philippe 5180, IWC decorated what is essentially a very complex movement; an IWC-manufactured 5000 calibre. Along with having the time and date, this watch includes a tourbillon escapement and a seven day power reserve, which is a lot for an automatic watch. There are further items of interest in the movement which represents a pinnacle of what IWC can achieve, but I will leave it at that.

You could argue that the level of detail in the IWC decoration is above that of the Patek Philippe. You'd be correct, but they repersent different styles. The 150 IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Squelette watches (50 in Platinum, 50 in rose gold, 50 in white gold) will (or were) be given to Jochen Benzinger whose shop hand machines each watch meticulously with special "engine tuners." While the 44mm Portuguese case remains clean and solid, Benzinger goes to work on every square millimeter of the movement with an impressive level of detail and attention. The decorations seems to frame the flying tourbillon, and the small subdials for the date and seconds. Turn the watch over, and you'll notice a typical Benzinger style decorated rotor with the IWC logo painstakenly applied to the a gold section on the rotor.

These two watches are not cheap, with the IWC likely to be much more ($$$$$$). Regardless they are amazingly impressive, with my pick being the IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Squelette, although the Patek Philippe is an amazing depiction of what a traditional skeletonized watch should be. Overall, these watches are something that you wear to look at, being distracted by the generous level of detail, only to forget to check what time it is, and back again for another look.

See IWC, Patek Philippe, and Benzinger watches on eBay here.

See IWC watches on Amazon here.

See Patek Philippe watches on Amazon here.

Patek Philippe 18K YG 5170 Chronograph new box papers

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1998 PATEK PHILIPPE WATCH Magazine Print Ad BIKE RIDE

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Patek Philippe Vintage Ladies 18k White Gold Watch 3322

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Patek Philippe Vintage Ladies 18k Yellow Gold 3285 50

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1990 Upper Deck 186 Todd Benzinger

US $1.00

Patek Philippe Mens Gondolo 5024 18k White Gold 5024G

US $12,800.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.