This week, we continue with our educational insight into timepieces: this time, with a lo at the watch crystal — the clear cover that goes over the dial and protects it. Generally there are three types of crystals used in watchmaking: sapphire crystals; mineral crystals; Plexiglas (often called plastic) or hesalite (acrylic) crystals. Depending on…
Time Capsules: News — Girard-Perregaux Unveils Limited Edition FOReverglades Hawk Watch
In Miami this week at the Art Basel event, Girard-Perregaux makes a timely statement. The to watch brand has partnered with FOReverglades, an environmentally minded public art exhibition by International Artists William Sweet and the artist collective, Cracking Art Group. At the same time, Girard-Perregaux unveiled a new, limited-edition Hawk watch that it hopes will…
Watch Education: Understanding the Difference between Automatic and Hand-Wind Watches
Recently, we here at ATimelyPerspective received an e from one of our newer readers – someone really interested in learning about watches from the ground up. It got us to thinking; maybe not everyone really knows timepieces to the same degree. This week, we will continue our sessions on watch history and watch education –…
A Moment in Time: Francois-Paul Journe Unveils the Chronometre Optimum in NYC
In a private appointment yesterday with master watchmaker Francois-Paul Journe (at the wonderful Madison Avenue FP Journe Boutique), we had the privilege of getting hands-on to the brand new Chronometre Optimum watch that now joins FP Journe’s complex haute horlogerie collection. This new piece – a three-hand watch – was several years in the making,…
Around the World: Dior like only Monsieur Dior Could Know
Last month, I had the distinct pleasure of joining Dior on an amazing trip to France to experience not only the superb watchmaking prowess, but also to visit the haute couture salon, the boutiques in Paris and the Mansion in Normandy where Dior grew up. All of these places define the brand’s aesthetic culture, and…
Around the World: The Making of Zenith Watches
Recently, we had the opportunity to tour the Zenith Swiss Watch Manufacture – a brand long known for its precision watchmaking and visionary thinking. Since 1865, Zenith has been making watches that keep pace with the times. It is the brand behind the famed El Primero movement and a brand closely associated with aviation for…