Disciples of the Watch

>dis·ci·ple noun \di-ˈsī-pəl\ : someone who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of a famous person >Disciples of the Watch : A perfect Testament song : watch freaks like me, who cares just a tad bit more about what they carry on their wrists.

[dotwatch]

Keeping my promise to become less selfish about the events, here are the shots (to the best of my ability despite less than ideal light conditions) from the recent MB&F event, with the presence of the man himself, Mr Max Busser. 

He gave a great speech on life before MB&F, and after, detailing what inspired him to each of his creations. It was an enlightening mid week break to have us think more about creativity, imagination and how these were broken in and tamed during what we call “education” 

Enjoy!

[dotwatch]

Meet Nestor Ferronato, an Argentinan artist living in Switzerland, so fascinated by timepieces to make them his favorite object/ model. Only to be discovered by me, because he was used as background art by Wetransfer.

Thanks to Wepresent, here if you want to know more

[dotwatch]

This is a still shot from the documentary called Ferrari: Race to Immortality. This beauty aside, I would highly recommend it as a weekend watch if you are a petrol head. It is a brilliant and somewhat melancholic account of Grand Prix racing in the 50s, where there was little to none regard for safety, charismatic and intellectual driver profiles such as  Peter Collins, Mike Hawthorn (the two Brits) as well as Alfonso de Portago, Luigi Musso and Eugenio Castellotti. It is also a display of Enzo Ferrari’s over demanding bossy style, his son-like relationship with some of is drivers and his love for his cars.

[dotwatch]

By now you all probably heard the Swatch Group- Baselworld news right? So no word on that. Instead I will try to give you some insight from someone who has skin in the game, and whom I know in person, Mr Thomas Steinemann. He is the man who resurrected (and the current CEO of) the Dubois & Fils brand, with an immensely successful crowdfunding scheme (not one of those you see on kickstarter of gofundme everyday) 

Let’s hear how it came to this and who the stakeholders to be held responsible are.

[jeuditreize]

[youbroketheinternet]

classic

[caixabox]

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Not OK with sandals but, all else is a Check for me. 

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Ich bin ein kampf schwimmer. Won’t spoil the entire fun for you but there is a marvellous article waiting for you in Perezcope.com 

[dotwatch]

Mr Sergio Marchionne, the guy who worked real hard, redefined and reshaped the auto industry (not to forget pulling the industry or a very important portion of it out of the 2008 crisis) has passed away. He was a lover of fine things, watches included. 

[dotwatch]

I just mentioned Ed Sheeran in my recent post, without knowing what was next. This guy is really upping his wrist game, seen here with his Lange Zeitwerk.

Photo credit: Omar Franchi

[dotwatch]

Doors one divorce can open. Yes mates, it all started with the Sotheby’s auction dubbed The Art of Divorce, which took place April this year with 226 lots, generating a sales value of  3,7 million USD.  It was a motley crue of “things” , artwork, personal items, movie costumes to name a few. Because it was trigerred by a divorce, it had a lot of media coverage, and apparently somebody from Italy was reading too.

Giuliano Mazzuoli is an independent watchmaker I covered here a long time ago. He is a no-nonsense guy, who is into racing/ sports car, and also a unique way of watch design. It is sad that however I appreciated his work and pieces, I never got to hold one in flesh, but that is another story.

Reading about the Art of Divorce, Mr Mazzuoli , decided to take things in his hands, and noticing Mr Crowe was in Rome, he sent Crowe a message for a possible meet up. It ended up Mr Mazzuoli gifting Russel Crowe a watch, paid by one of his other customers (so he was only acting as a proxy) Let’s read from the man himself.

I followed the guy and the brand for many years, and although I have not met him, I know he is sincere, not after some cheap publicity stuff. This guy has been friends with Paul Newman (the true legend) and I never came across him bragging about it. Besides, I don’t think he has the budget to splurge on celebrities. 

After all the above, there was some Crowe- Mazzuoli chain reaction on the so called “internets”, which unveiled the fact that, apparently the brand had some admirers who turned out to be “somebodies”. Like Mr Ed Sheeran here posing with a  Trasmissione Meccanica. 

But it’s not over yet. The best Mazzuoli moment for me arrived this morning (my local time of course), when I learned RZA from Wu-Tang Clan is also a GM admirer, sporting a Manometro with a rare version blue face. 

This is the wrap up of where Crowe’s divorce has taken me so far. And this could be my second favorite RZA moment, of course not surpassing his Ghost Dog appearance. 

[dotwatch]

Great article on rolex magazine, on giving back. https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2018/07/nell-newman-foundation-planning-to-make.html?m=1

[dotwatch]

Did y’all know about Erika’s Originals? Am I the only one that’s been missing out on this? I am yet to understand how the hardware works, but I am getting there haha!

Call it gimmicky but she even has a lumed strap! https://erikasoriginals.com/ 

[dotwatch]

Recommended Reading: It Turns Out That Men Wearing Watches That Don't Tell The Time Is Now A Thing

In retrospect, all the signs were there, but the Wall Street Journal has the proof.

Such good news. Meaning I can put on my ‘54 Tissot, which I could no way get restored back to working order. 

[dotwatch]

Came across this piece on NY Times, which is mostly about the hip (and expensive) Bang-Bang tattoos in NY. The Ink house welcomes incredible talents from in and outside US, some of which I am a long time follower. 

What makes this article more interesting for me is the fact that, Eva Karabudak, one of the finest Turkey had to offer in ink business (who is under Bang Bang for some time now) is also featured in the piece in writing as well as visually. Eva has always been a talent, but unfortunately surrounded by bad business and time management skills. It is really good to see her blossom in a supporting environment, where she can only focus on her art ( and not marketing or scheduling etc) 

The reason I am writing these on a watch-themed blog? Well, I saved the best for last: Look at this motherfucker and witness how being good on your stuff (no matter what it is) can lift you to another level:

For the full piece, click here. 

[dotwatch]

“ Another tribute to the original watch, and the TV series that inspired its name, is the hidden silhouette of Ultraman's head in the small seconds subdial at 9:00. Shining a UV light on the dial will make the silhouette appear (a UV light is attached to one end of the included strap changing tool, which is modeled after the "Beta Capsule" which Ultraman's human host used to trans...”

Come on Omega. Give these people a break  

[dotwatch]

Fiona Kruger’s Mechanical Entrophy. Question: It is thin, elegant and all but, would you pay 26,500 CHF for this piece?

[dotwatch]

Guti Hernandez and his Yacht Master II say hello.