Archives A Timely Perspective

Weekend Sojourn: Super Bowl and Eli ManningTime

Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning wears a bold and reliable watch on his wrist. Well, not on the playing field during the Super Bowl, but off the field he not only wears a Citizen watch, but also has helped create a line of timepieces, a portion of the proceeds from which will benefit the March of Dimes.

“I like watches that are efficient and easy to look at, that I can look down, see the time easily and read the date,” said Manning a while back at an event to celebrate the launch of two limited-edition Eli Manning chronographs by Citizen, and for the watch brand to turn over a generous $30,000 check for the March of Dimes. Manning has worked with Citizen for nearly four years. The timepieces, retailing for $599 and $675, are the Eli Manning Limited Edition Perpetual Chrono A.T, with Giants blue dial. One version features a steel bracelet, while another is equipped with a blue polyurethane strap. Each 42mm watch houses Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology that uses sunlight to recharge the battery. Each also features a specially engraved case back and a collectible card signed by Manning. In life and in football – it’s all about the timing.

Over at the New England Patriots, quarterback Tom Brady had an ambassador relationship with Movado that has since ended, however, to be fair, we should show off the Movado Series 800 Tom Brady Watch that retails for $2,500. Movado, one of the best Swiss brands on the market, was inspired by Brady’s timing on the field.

Time Capsules- Product: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner

A real statement in excellence, this striking Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date watch is crafted in 18-karat white gold. The 40mm watch is equipped with a rotating blue ceramic bezel and blue dial, and is waterproof up to 300m/1000 feet. I had the pleasure of using this watch recently and it is several things for sure: a definite eye catcher; a great conversation piece and a real water watch instrument – simple and effective. It is equipped with the Oyster Glidelock bracelet. This beauty retails for $34,000.

SIHH Video: A Moment in Time with Stephen Forsey of Greubel Forsey

Known for its incredible technical prowess and haute horlogerie knowledge in the traditional sense, Greubel Forsey creates some of the most advanced timepieces in the world. This year, the brand released its GMT watch that was three years in the making, its new 24-second Tourbillon and its Quadruple Tourbillon. It also started an unprecedented project with Philippe Dufour – master watchmaker – to train a watchmaker in the traditional, non-industrialized watchmaking art.

Here, Stephen Forsey takes a few minutes to talk to us at Atimelyperspective about these endeavors.

Time Capsules: Commentary – Rolex 24 at Daytona Celebrates 50 Years

Photo by Stephan Cooper.For those who are car lovers like me – yesterday was a highlight day – the 50^th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A record number of motorsports fans descended on Daytona International Speedway for this historic anniversary on Saturday, when the Rolex clock counted down to the 3:30 pm start of the 24-hour endurance race.

Photo by Stephan Cooper.This year brought a surprise equally as enjoyable as the anniversary – a win from a little team: Michael Shank Racing, who accomplished this with NASCAR’s AJ Allmendinger closing out the win in the No. 60 Ford Riley.

Rolex, which has been intimately involved in auto racing since 1935, and solidified its position in the sport in 1959 when it began its association with the Daytona International Speedway, created a specially engraved 50^th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona Winner’s Watch. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona continues to take its inspiration from the first watch designed for lovers of speed, created just about 20 years ago.

Today, Rolex is involved in sponsorships of some of the most prestigious events in the motorsport industry, from endurance races to the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. In addition, Rolex supports the traditions of auto racing through events like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Pebble Beach Tour D’Elegance presented by Rolex, all of which we covered here and here while joining Rolex at the events.

SIHH Review: IWC Recreates Aircraft Carrier

If there was a best of show prize for the most amazing “booth” at SIHH, IWC would have won it hands down this year. To celebrate the release of a complete collection of pilots’ watches – including several impressive new TOP GUN pieces – the brand transformed its booth into a replica of a US aircraft carrier, complete with control tower, and fighter plan simulator. If this looks great to you- wait till you see a few more of the watches! Stay tuned.

Watch Stops: SIHH — Cartier Does It Again with Animal Dials and Artistic Prowess

Last year, and throughout the past 12 months, we have regularly brought you masterpieces from Cartier – true artisan works that not only underscore the brand’s technological prowess, but also its amazing abilities with the Artistic crafts. This year is no exception.

Among the highlights: the Santos-Dumont XL watch in white gold with an amazing gemstone mosaic horse motif dial; the Tortue watch with cockatoo motif engraved of mother of pearl, with an enamel background; the Rotonde de Cartier 42mm white old watch with enamel grisaille tiger motif. In this watch the black is painted on first and then the white is etched out. Each of these beauties is a limited edition piece and is unique.

SIHH 2012: Parmigiani Unveils Dragon Clock

Easily one of the SIHH’s most alluring feats is the approximately $3.5 million Dragon Automaton clock from Parmigiani that celebrates the year of the dragon. The extraordinary Le Dragon et la Perle du Savoir (The Dragon and the Pearl of Wisdom) clock sits on a rock crystal base, with the standing dragon sculpted in 18-karat gold with a belly of sterling silver. The dragon‘s fully formed body makes one full turn on his base every hour – always with paws reaching toward a globe that represents pure wisdom. As soon as the globe seems nearly in reach, it rolls further away. This wonderful dragon is adorned with jade in almost every color and is a masterpiece of mechanics and art.

Time Capsules: News – Jewels of Time, Women’s Watches and their Making

Jewels of Time, The World of Women’s Watches – written and curated by Roberta Naas – is easily the most comprehensive and informative book on women’s timepieces. The new 300-plus page, hard cover book includes 200 pages of photographs of women’s wristwatches dating back to the early 20^th century and ranging to today’s masterpieces. The book includes Q&A interviews with top watch veterans, designers, watchmakers and even gemsetters from the finest brands in the world. The parallels drawn in the history chapter deftly depict the rise of wristwatches and women throughout the past century.

Indeed, this book gives rare and unprecedented insight into an often over-looked segment of the wristwatch world: Women’s watches. From fashion to forward-thinking mechanicals; from haute joaillerie to haute horology — it’s all there – and a few surprises, too. Jewels of Time is filled with elegant prose, relevant quotes from literary and artistic figures and informative details about the making of women’s wristwatches. It is finally on the stands and available for sale internationally.