Archives A Timely Perspective

Time Capsules: Commentary – 11 11 11 – Veteran's Day and More … Check this out

It really is all about the timing and this year we will experience four unusual dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, and 11/11/11 – today. Today is also Veteran’s Day — a time when Americans celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all veterans. Thank you to those who have served.

But the 11/11/11 date is not the only thing of interest in numbers this year! Check this out – Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born – now add the age you will be this year — the results will be 111 – for everyone!!!

Trend Report: Expensive Diamond Watches

Ralph Lauren The upcoming holidays bring wonderful glamour to the forefront. It’s the perfect time to take a close up look at some of the most luxurious (and expensive) diamond watches on the market. Easily among the most alluring pieces are open-worked bracelet watches with cascading bracelets that feel remarkable on the wrist and dazzle in every light. Diamonds, long recognized as symbols of power, religion, Chanelwealth and even victory, are prized for their romantic appeal. Certainly, they make time sparkle. Today’s watchmakers have found ways to set diamonds magnificently, using centuries-old gem-Harry Winston setting techniques, and developing new ones that are proprietary to them. In the past, diamonds used to be simply prong-set in watches, but today masters of their trade offer invisible settings where no metal shows, pave’ settings for a fully encrusted diamond look and a host of other delights. The setting of a diamond watch can take master gemsetters hundreds of hours to complete. It is time-consuming work that requires patience and skill. The watches seen here have taken setters as long as several months to complete. For this reason, they command top dollar at retail. But then, good things often do.

Time Capsules: Product — Arnold & Son Watches, Unveiling the TB88 Watch

Arnold & Son is a brand with great British heritage, one that focuses on classic looks and fine complications – in honor of the founding father whose name the brand bears. One of the newest pieces in the collection is the TB88, which is designed to reflect the pursuit of excellence of prominent watchmaker John Arnold, who developed and produced marine chronometers and invented such key elements as the detent escapement and helical hairspring in the 1800’s.

The new TB88 – with TB standing for True Beat (for chronometer precision) – houses an in-house hand-finished A&S5003 manufacture caliber. The “88” is a nod to Arnold’s earliest extant pocket watch, with is numbered 88. The movement is inverted so one can view the features on the dial side instead of the reverse caseback side. It features two barrels and offers 100 hours of power reserve. The watch consists of 16 bridges, with each pivoting element held by its own bridge. It is offered in a 46mm rose gold or steel case.

ATimely Event: Don’t Miss the Christie’s Blockbuster Sale of Important Antique Watches

Slated for Wednesday, November 30, in Hong Kong, Christie’s Blockbuster Sale of Important Watches features more than 550 rare timepieces spanning 400 years in time. Approximately $11 million worth of wristwatches, pocket watches, ring and even belt-buckle watches will be on the auction block. You don’t, of course, have to spend millions. Many pieces are affordable, expected to sell for less than $10,000, while others will garner much more. Among the highlights: Patek Philippe’s Ref. 2524 (estimated to sell for between $250,000 – $350,000) is the only one to be fitted with a two-tone silver dial with alternating baton and Roman numerals. Just 12 of this reference are known to have been made; the amazing haute joaillerie Vacheron Constantin Pagoda Kalla (est. $150,000-$250,000) is set with 312 diamonds weighing approximately 65 carats. For those who prefer antiques, there are many delights, including a stunning rare and previously unrecorded enamel and diamond-set ring watch, circa 1810. Expected to garner between $87,500 and $112,500, the ring watch is one of the most special pieces, s it features a quarter repeating mechanism and two cupid automatons – in an amazingly small space. Visit Christie’s to find out about other lots and how to follow or bid online.

Weekend Sojourn: Wrinkle Sojourn? – WrinkleMD™ Offers New Twist

Each Sunday, we bring a little respite from the world of timepieces and focus on a myriad of luxurious and interesting topics, from travel to art, jewelry, accessories and more. Today, we take a real turn and talk about wrinkles – and maybe how to take a respite from them, too. The new WrinkleMD™ patented Ion Infusion™ technique from University Medical Pharmaceuticals ® offers an at-home anti-wrinkle treatment that it says “delivers the same wrinkle filling ingredient dermatologists inject and infuses it into the top layers of your skin.” Six years in the development, the technology uses a microprocessor to deliver Hyaluronic Acid, the same ingredient used by dermatologists to fill in fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes – painlessly.

So, with nothing to lose but a few crow’s feet, I tested the system. The WrinkleMD Eye system Deluxe kit, which sells for $129 for a 30day supply, comes with a high-tech-looking device and six eye patches. The device attaches easily to the thin, flexible eye patches, which stick to the eye area. One then wears these patches for 40 minutes while the Hyaluronic Acid works its supposed magic – hydrating the skin and firming and tightening the appearance of fine lines. The initial kit comes with six applications (though one can buy six Eye Patch refills for $89).

It’s super easy to use and after the first application, which requires reading very brief instructions, every subsequent donning of patches takes just a few seconds. Wearing the patches is an interesting transformation: on the one hand you feel very space-age with these unusual gizmos attached to you; on the other hand, you somehow psychologically feel relaxed and in tune with yourself. While my son and husband looked at me like I was crazy, I donned the patches and went about my regular routines at home. I even wore them while at the computer. I used all six treatments – one every 4 -5 days. Did it work? Well, it isn’t a remarkable “Wow, look at that!” visible difference, but I haven’t seen any crows lately, and I certainly feel a little less wrinkled. I’m game to get additional applications and keep up the simple, fun routine.

Time Capsules: Commentary: Daylight Saving Time in USA

Daylight Saving Time begins in the United States at 2:00 am on Sunday, Nov. 6. That means setting clocks and watches back one hour. Do this before you go to bed tonight – otherwise you will miss that extra hour of sleep in the morning. Here are a few intersting facts about Daylight Saving Time (NOT Times.

The US territories (US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico), Hawaii, and most of Arizona don’t participate in DST.

Some say Daylight Saving Time is practiced in an effort to save energy, but that argument has been called into question.

The original concept for Daylight Saving Time was developed in 1895, by a New Zealand entomologist (studier of bugs) who spent his extra time after work collecting insects. He wanted more daylight time for his studies, so he presented a report proposing a two hour daylight saving time program (George Vernon Hudson and the Wellington Philosophical Society). The concept laid the groundwork for Germany and its allies to adopt the idea during the world wars in an effort to conserve coal. Thereafter, many countries, including America, followed suit.

For more information on time in your zone or around the world, visit www.worldtimezone.com/daylight.html

Time Capsules: Commentary – Roger W. Smith watches — Independently Hand-crafted

A good friend and colleague of those of us here at Atimelyperspective, Meehna Goldsmith writes about watches for her sight, and now for Christies Auction house . She is also a lover of watches and seeks the unusual angle to things. Recently, Goldsmith wrote an article on Roger W. Smith, independent English watchmaker who hand crafts every single piece he makes. Smith was a student of legendary master watchmaker George Daniels, who recently passed away. Because of the labor-intensive nature of hand building each watch, Smith only creates about 12 a year — including complex tourbillons and special orders. To learn more about Roger W. Smith, visit http://www.watchmatchmaker.com/1_mens_watches/the-english-tradition-of-george-daniels-lives-on-in-roger-w-smith-bespoke-tourbillon-commission-no-4.html

Time Capsules: Commentary — Contest to Win a Watch – Results:

winnerThank you everyone who participated in Atimelyperspective’s first pumpkin carving contest. You made it difficult for the judges — but it was a fun time! Thanks to Ritmo Mundo, too, for donating the watch to the winner, and the “something else” to those others who participated. For those who didn’t see the cool watches, here is the winner, and a few other submissions.

Time Capsules: Product — Franck Muller Watches Takes a Closer Look at Women’s Mechanics

Since October was all about Halloween, skeletons and contests here at Atimelyperspective, we decided to, conversely, make November a month that celebrates the world of women’s watches. Each week we will focus on a beautiful women’s watch, or trends in this arena. For instance, this Lady Tourbillon Automatique was recently unveiled to the world by Franck Muller at the brand’s Monaco exhibit. The automatic timepiece, in its alluring Curvex case, houses the small tourbillon escapement, with a diameter of 11.60mm. The 250-part Caliber FM2060T features a micro rotor and offers hours, minutes and seconds on the tourbillon. It is equipped with two days of power reserve. The movement is hand-engraved with circular graining and beveling – in all making it a lovely presentation of craftsmanship, mechanical prowess and stylish design. It is slated to hit stores in a few months and will retail for approximately $95,400. This is NOT a lot of money for a tourbillon timepiece. If I had the money, I’d plunk it down here.