THE HOME OF WATCH CULTURE

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: 26th February, 2016 FRIDAY WIND DOWN: 26th February, 2016

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: 26th February, 2016

Felix Scholz

Wind-Down-19-2-16

This week in watches took a particularly interesting turn when we asked what seemed like a pretty bland old question. We’d been inspired by a Manufacture Royale 1770 Voltige, which has a lengthy Voltaire quote inscribed on its dial and thought we’d call out to see if any of you had quotes engraved on the back of your watches? Did you ever! See the best (and the baddest) below. In other news, Omega has a new Sydney flagship boutique in the works, a new watch brand is on the way, packing a blade resonator, and most importantly we finally admitted that we like to watch. We like to watch wrists on public transport. As do you. Thanks to the 30+ people who made us feel less freaky by fessing up. We are not alone. #watchspottersunite

Screen Shot 2016-02-26 at 4.24.05 PM

What happened

We asked you to show us your rears – by which we (obviously) meant your casebacks – and you delivered. Funny, heartfelt and occasionally poignant – who knew a few simple engraved words could pack such an emotional punch. Here are a few of our favourites.

Caseback-7

@nitin_nair’s Stowa was a gift from his wife, and has an engraved rotor that manages to be sentimental and punny at the same time. Get it? So good.

Inscription: “Time flies when you are having fun – date.”

Pun ranking: High

Sentimental value: Very High

Abusiveness: Low

Caseback-1

@howardduckheng’s Nomos Metro was a gift from his wife, too – who also went for a touching time-based pun. Round of applause for your better halves.

Inscription: “My love for you is like time… infinite.”

Pun ranking: Medium

Sentimental value: Exceptionally High

Abusiveness: Non-existent

Caseback-6

@teenage.grandpa gave his friend a watch as a wedding gift, opting for this heartfelt one-liner.

Inscription: “Good Luck Asshole”

Pun ranking: More literal than a pun

Sentimental value: You can tell he means it, so that’s something

Abusiveness: High

 

Caseback-5

@dartski got a Seamaster as a graduation gift from his dad, complete with his name and graduation date. It’s hard to beat the classics sometimes.

Inscription: Name

Pun ranking: Low

Sentimental value: High

Abusiveness: None

Caseback-4

Speaking of father’s – one of @tomashaandlykken’s most treasured possessions is this Tissot with his dad’s name engraved on it.

Inscription: Name

Pun ranking: Low

Sentimental value: High

Abusiveness: Nil

 

Caseback-9

Caseback-10

But not all the engravings are personal, @watchguydotcom has a lovely vintage Rolex Prince engraved with “Lenard Brodén. Goteburg” Who was Lenard? Did he live in Goteburg,or did something significant happen there? It’s a mystery.

Inscription: Lennart Brodén. Goteburg

Pun ranking: Hard to tell, but seemingly low

Sentimental value: High, but again, that’s a guess

Abusiveness: Unlikely

Caseback-3

Perhaps our favourite came courtesy of @byan_d_stagg who has a Heuer diver engraved with a little picture of a man in a jail cell, with the inscription “still doin’ time”. Imagine the tale that watch could tell.

Inscription: “Still doin’ time.”

Pun ranking: WINNER

Sentimental value: Who cares

Abusiveness: Existentially abusive, the best kind

Caseback-2

In a similar vein @Jeweler_in_paradise got his Rolex GMT engraved with his initials and the year he purchased the watch – ready to pass on to the next generation.

Inscription: Name

Pun ranking: Low

Sentimental value: High

Abusiveness: Nil

What actually mattered

The watch world was abuzz with the announcement that legendary watch designer Dominique Renaud, founder of specialist movement manufacturers Renaud & Papi (now Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi or APRP) has come out of retirement to start his own watch brand. Renaud started working at AP in 1980 and has been a hugely influential figure in the industry, specialising in complicated movements, minute repeaters in particular.

Blade-Resonator
This is a blade resonator. Not sure what it does but it looks cool.

We’re not sure what to expect from Renaud’s own brand, but we know it’ll have a blade resonator (whatever that is) and it’s going to be impressive.

martin-place-1
20, Martin Place – Omega’s new Sydney home.

Meanwhile, closer to home Omega signed a lease for a brand new boutique on Sydney’s Martin Place – a two-level flagship store scheduled to open later this year.

The week in numbers

29.02.16: Monday’s date. We expect everyone with a perpetual calendar to stay up until midnight on Sunday to capture the moment this very special date appears on your watch.

A-Lange-Sohne-Datograph-perpetual-calendar-4

792: Parts in this movement. The amount of love we have for this movement? Infinite.

Screen Shot 2016-02-26 at 3.28.03 pm

9: Hotness rating of the Bulgari Octo Ultranero, out of 10.

Handwound-1

8: The number of pics Wind Down hall of famer @handwound posted of his latest. We admire his restraint.