Timepiecertag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://12006-11-21T14:57:10ZMovable Type 3.33Staying Relevant: One Useless Function at a Timetag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.492006-11-21T10:03:15Z2006-11-21T14:57:10ZHOT: Watches that tell you when you're ovulating, that tell you if your kid had run across the street, that protect you from gamma rays, that monitor your blood pressure, that tell you when to wake up on the proper...
HOT: Watches that tell you when you're ovulating, that tell you if your kid had run across the street, that protect you from gamma rays, that monitor your blood pressure, that tell you when to wake up on the proper cycle, et cetera, et cetera.
DATED (?): Watches that only tell you the time.
Watch Reports has chimed in on the current trend for watches to move into territory, that for now, cell phones and ipods have not treaded upon: health/safety/general life support. And while personal upkeep may very well be an area that the wristwatch will have a leg up, I don't know if this niche will be its savior. I see the trend as part of a bigger trend which includes:
1/ the personal upkeep watch
It's a trend, but will it last? I think only in a very limited capacity.
2/ the watch as accessory item
One direction in which the watch will persist is not so much as a timepiece but as a fashion accessory item. Whether the second hand ticks is irrelevant, what is relevant is whether it's a Patek Phillipe, Fossil, or some funky creation from Tokyoflash. The wristwatch, and this will be especially true for men (as they, in general, don't have the option of wearing bracelets or other types of adornments), will become a beacon of one's personality -- perhaps even moreso than articles of clothing. A man wearing a bright blue scarf, for example, could be a student, a banker, an artist -- there would be no way to pigeonhole -- however if he were bearing a Rolex it would immediately convey a sense of social status/personality.
3/ other technology merging toward the watch
Looking forward even a few more years, what will save the wristwatch is not the watch, but the wrist. It so happens that the wrist is one of the most convenient places on the body to carry an item which needs to be accessed frequently. As future models of cell phone are developed, using flexible OLED technology for example, we may see them commonly worn as we see wristwatches today. This undoubtedly will not be lost on designers, who may in turn begin drawing them up as such. So, in a round-a-bout way, the force leading the wristwatch toward 'obsolescence' may also be its saving grace.]]>
The Future is Furry: Don't Throw Away the Keystag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.532006-11-20T18:02:59Z2006-11-20T18:20:23ZConcept only: yet nevertheless by its looks, present kink will only transform into future kink. A Belarussian designer envisions the watch working through a processor, which would relay the time information by positively charging the furs making them stand into...
Concept only: yet nevertheless by its looks, present kink will only transform into future kink. A Belarussian designer envisions the watch working through a processor, which would relay the time information by positively charging the furs making them stand into the shape of the appropriate numbers.
Though by its looks this seems destined to be sold in pairs, with an attaching strap -- lock optional, natch.
// via Watch Reports.net]]>
TWIT: Keeping the Gaidjin Down: Example 694tag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.502006-11-20T10:19:34Z2006-11-20T10:38:19ZAs the late American football playing/evangalist, Reggie White, so (in)famously said: "When you look at the Asians, the Asian is very gifted in creation, creativity and inventions. If you go to Japan or any Asian country, they can turn a...As the late American football playing/evangalist, Reggie White, so (in)famously said: "When you look at the Asians, the Asian is very gifted in creation, creativity and inventions. If you go to Japan or any Asian country, they can turn a television into a watch. They're very creative." Reggie, we hear ya, which is why Timepiecer brings you our weekly spotlight on that very creative nation and their watches, in a section called TWIT: This Week In Tokyo.
Ah, yes, the Japanese. Lovely country. Tokyo metro system is one of the world's most punctual. They have platform guards to shove you in the cars during peak hours just so the metro will shove off in time. And yet, for the life of me, I am in constant amazement how any of this punctuality occurs, considering the fact that you need a PhD to read their wristwatches. Or, in this case, an ability to translate the graphic equalizer reading on your Winamp into a number that will let you get to work on time.
Then again, perhaps it's just their little conspiracy to keep the gaidjin down -- only done with the export models. You know, ship them out these cool yet bafflingly obtuse creations, then watch with restrained pleasure at them while they visit, missing appointment after appointment.
// Audiocubes via Wrist Style]]>
Scouring Budapest's Flea Markets for Crappy Yet Cool Wristwatch Gems, Part 1tag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.472006-11-16T15:44:02Z2006-11-16T13:47:31ZLiving in Budapest, I thought it wise to check out what lost little chronological treasures could be found while digging through piles of crap in the local flea markets. So this will be part one in a mini-series of me...
Living in Budapest, I thought it wise to check out what lost little chronological treasures could be found while digging through piles of crap in the local flea markets. So this will be part one in a mini-series of me doing just that.
I struck out on a rainy Sunday to probably the biggest of the markets, Ecseri, to see what funkiness I could find from both sides of the Iron Curtain from days of yore. I wasn't disappointed. Without a doubt my favorite of the day was this old school Swiss Hanowa (pictured), from what appears to be the 1960s but I very much could be mistaken. If anyone can offer some insight on that please write me. And I love very much how it calls itself 'digital.']]>
One of my favorites is this Mani because I hate mornings too. Check out the numbers... afternoons only please! Unfortunately The Google was not able to provide any more information about this little guy, which is a real shame because i'd like to have a spot of tea with the manufacturer. In the afternoon, of course.
What's this? A timepiece made in Hungary? Apparently so as this "Grünbaum Karoly Budapest" inscription attests. Unfortunately the seller couldn't offer any details info on the otherwise straightforward looking pocketwatch. My guess by the name is a Habsburg holdover with an original locale more on the Austrian side of things (ergo, closer to die Swissland, ja). However there's really no telling if "Mr. Gruenbaum" busted out 10 of these from his garage, or had a minor production line... my guess is somewhere in between the two.
Ah...yes... nothing says "i love you" like a glamorous Cold War-era Soviet Pobeda now does it? I know that Pobeda was a line of Soviet cars also -- so was the watch a line made devoted to the cars? Or were they made independently? Or were there simply tons of Soviet products named 'Pobeda'? At any rate it nicely conjours up for me the image of civil servant Mikhail, dutifully putting in his time, and using his prized wristwatch to countdown all 49 years of his life. (52 if Ludmila gave him only half-servings of sour cream at the dinner table.)
Thiel Ruhla is an old old German manufacturer, from back in the 19th century, but dropped off the map for many years. I believe recently they've made a couple lines, of which the above is clearly not representative. This one is probably one of the last before they disappeared in the 1950s or so.
Old school Doxas: I know they are Swiss but they manage to look amazingly Soviet in this time period... of course it could've just been their surroundings at the market.
A pocket watch from CYMA, another of those 'tucked away in idyllic green Swiss valley' manufacturers dating back to the mid-19th century. Though, I must admit something slightly dodgy looking about this one, again maybe it's the company it keeps in some random suburban flea market district of budapest.
It's back to the USSR again with this Junost. Is it just me or could Pobeda and Junost joined forces and no one would've noticed? Then again if that happened there would've been no Pobeda vs. Junost company softball matches which I'm sure was a heated rivalry back in the day!
The second photo shows a Junost paired up with a Zarya: pride of Belarus! In 1956 the Minsk watch factory was opened, producing 56,000 identical copies of Zarya's generation one. However I'm sure most Soviet residents were holding out for generation two. Because you know, you can never be sure with gen one lines, maybe they'll scratch too easily, or the battery will be less than stellar. And, plus, in later years Zarya gave you two choices, silver or gold, so don't ever let yourself be fooled into thinking that the Soviet system didn't offer choices, ha.
Ahh, Poljot, probably the best known of the Soviet-era watch producers, and still existing today! Rumours of their demise a few years back were apparently premature... well at least they still have a functioning website. The one shown here though could be a "Poljot International" which were German produced using Russian or Swiss made movements.
Small, gold, "Lumige" I couldn't trace this one at all... Swiss? German? Antarctic? Kinda pretty, if girly.
And finally, more randomness from yore... if you can identify, contact me!
Stay tuned for part 2 when I hit Budapest's "city park" flea market.
]]>
Fifty Percent is Okay Because Bono Will Raise the Rest for Youtag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.462006-11-15T12:14:37Z2006-11-16T09:03:48ZArmani joins the "Red" campaign of products generating sales to give to AIDS relief efforts in Africa. These are great in terms of raising awareness, but I'd rather not think of the executive mindset when they considering launching these, because...
Armani joins the "Red" campaign of products generating sales to give to AIDS relief efforts in Africa. These are great in terms of raising awareness, but I'd rather not think of the executive mindset when they considering launching these, because I fear it leans more to "creating buzz for our products in general," rather than, "really making a difference for those unfortunate ones." Apparently 50% of profit gets donated, but doesn't that seem a bit cheeky? Why not 100%? Well, anyhow, it's red, it's simple, it's digital.
// Armani]]>
Bond: Timelessly Laying Ladies Since the Beginning of Timetag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.452006-11-14T20:27:48Z2006-11-15T18:33:36ZWatchisimo lays down a monster awesome chronological summary of the 007 series. The old school Rolex Submariner bedded Connery droves of ladies and the Omega Seamaster undoubtedly will for Craig. (Eva Green=drool) So long as Bond is rockin' the wrist...
Watchisimo lays down a monster awesome chronological summary of the 007 series. The old school Rolex Submariner bedded Connery droves of ladies and the Omega Seamaster undoubtedly will for Craig. (Eva Green=drool)
So long as Bond is rockin' the wrist bling I think any siren calls about the demise of the wristwatch are woefully premature. I mean, really, could you see him checking the time on a Blackberry? I thought not.
// Watchisimo]]>
Looking Up is Overratedtag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.372006-11-14T15:11:56Z2006-11-14T15:52:41ZThis Glashütte is one of those fairly popular 'moon phase' watches, and you can particularly tell in this case because the second hand has a moon on it (clever). Though, I've always wondered: why moon phase? I mean, for that...
This Glashütte is one of those fairly popular 'moon phase' watches, and you can particularly tell in this case because the second hand has a moon on it (clever). Though, I've always wondered: why moon phase? I mean, for that you can just look up. How about keeping track of some other phases that could be a little more difficult to ascertain.
For instance:
-stock market fluctuations
-the "male period"
-the denial phase
-the phases of human existence
-when i should clean out my refrigerator
// via Dreamwatches]]>
TWIT: The FMP3 Cord Collection...er, Watchtag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.312006-11-14T13:03:37Z2006-11-14T21:18:38ZAs the late American football playing/evangalist, Reggie White, so (in)famously said: "When you look at the Asians, the Asian is very gifted in creation, creativity and inventions. If you go to Japan or any Asian country, they can turn a...
As the late American football playing/evangalist, Reggie White, so (in)famously said: "When you look at the Asians, the Asian is very gifted in creation, creativity and inventions. If you go to Japan or any Asian country, they can turn a television into a watch. They're very creative." Reggie, we hear ya, which is why Timepiecer brings you our weekly spotlight on that very creative nation and their watches, in a section called TWIT: This Week In Tokyo.
Connect to your computer, your CD player, your MP3 player, your car radio, your other watch, your girlfriend, and no tell what else with this week's TWIT special: FMP3 watch. And just for fun wear it with all 8 cords attached for that octopus effect!
// Raremonoshop via Wrist Dreams]]>
Wha..Wha? Sorry It's Just that Seinfeld Re-run I Have to Catch for the 104th Timetag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.402006-11-13T20:11:22Z2006-11-14T21:15:22ZThe TV wristwatch offers you this sublime possibility: waking up on a Saturday morning, noticing the unseasonal warm weather outside, deciding to take advantage by packing a lunch and a bottle of white wine, heading out to your local park,...
The TV wristwatch offers you this sublime possibility: waking up on a Saturday morning, noticing the unseasonal warm weather outside, deciding to take advantage by packing a lunch and a bottle of white wine, heading out to your local park, slipping your shoes and socks off, laying down on a blanket, greeting your friends, and, well, watching an hour of TV. (the battery life is one hour)
// via Firebox]]>
Proto-Swatch Does Not Include "Jelly"tag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.382006-11-13T15:26:44Z2006-11-15T14:13:09ZTissot's early 1970s plastic design, which failed but turned out to be the pre-cursor of Swatch: however, it wasn't for lack of inspiration on this forward-thinking and valiant, if doomed effort. I mean, who could've predicted if they swapped out...
Tissot's early 1970s plastic design, which failed but turned out to be the pre-cursor of Swatch: however, it wasn't for lack of inspiration on this forward-thinking and valiant, if doomed effort. I mean, who could've predicted if they swapped out 'plastic' for 'jelly' and downsized it so a dainty teenage girls wrist could handle 3 or 4 at a time, they would've had a hit straight away? Just imagine, the mid-1980s could've suddenly jumpstarted during the early 1970s! ...
On second thought, maybe it's for the best that they kinda bombed it.
// via Watchisimo]]>
The One Bling You Don't Want Weighing You Downtag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.392006-11-10T15:33:08Z2006-11-14T15:50:54ZAs you know I love the abbreviation PMP, and here we have one for the gentleman whose other gear is weighing a brutha down. That's right, the Aigo MP4 player is superlightweight! No more gazing back and forth between the...
As you know I love the abbreviation PMP, and here we have one for the gentleman whose other gear is weighing a brutha down. That's right, the Aigo MP4 player is superlightweight! No more gazing back and forth between the geek shop storefront and ice shop storefront, trying to visualize whether you can physically take the punishment of utilizing your PMP and your 24-carat neck spinner simultaneously. Nah, it's settled now. (save, for the part that the watch looks a bit, um, fruity)
//via Reghardware]]>
Keep Track of the Helsinki to Tallinn "Vodka Ferry" in Styletag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.352006-11-10T14:32:37Z2006-11-14T15:53:11ZIt's cold, it's pretty, ergo, it's Finnish! The model shown here is called "Loiste" (the Finnish word for shine, or glory) -- 30 of these have been produced in two years. And judging by it's heavy-ish metal frame, the name...
It's cold, it's pretty, ergo, it's Finnish! The model shown here is called "Loiste" (the Finnish word for shine, or glory) -- 30 of these have been produced in two years. And judging by it's heavy-ish metal frame, the name stems from the bright red shine your skin will take after wearing it in the sauna and burning its impression into your wrist.
// Europastar via Professional Watches]]>
Winbel Solar Powered Watch: Sun Good, Grammar Not Sotag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.442006-11-09T20:53:00Z2006-11-15T14:24:27ZA sunshine-y day when I take my Prius out for a spin with my left (watch-bearing) arm dangling out the window, collecting those lovely charging rays -- I think is the picture the company wanted to paint with their pseudo-English...
A sunshine-y day when I take my Prius out for a spin with my left (watch-bearing) arm dangling out the window, collecting those lovely charging rays -- I think is the picture the company wanted to paint with their pseudo-English description:
The WINBEL Light kimetic energy wristwatch (solar power watch EPRW003) the series on our company is to lead time fashion of high-tech product. It is in accordance with the design idea about to protect environment and to save energy, which acting the time idea for solar. WINBEL carry the responsibility to care the earth and to protect environment, absorbed and developed in light kimetic energy wristwatch. This product no change battery, suited to spend the our-counter power to caused worry and trouble for people. It is cut down environment contamination because waste and old battery. To carry Solar power watch, to contribute your loving heart for the earth.
Though all it succeeded in doing was making me want to hang out in Tokyo again, absorbing and contributing to my loving heart for Engrish.
// Gold Supplier]]>
Those Who Can Multi-task (hint hint), May Step to the Front of the Linetag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.412006-11-09T20:25:00Z2006-11-14T21:12:15ZBulova Inc. produced a series of Op-art pioneer Victor Vasarely late in his career. The four squares model pictured here has you think at first it's one of those pieces where you relax your eyes in order to view the...
Bulova Inc. produced a series of Op-art pioneer Victor Vasarely late in his career. The four squares model pictured here has you think at first it's one of those pieces where you relax your eyes in order to view the picture hiding within. Then you realize it's not one of those. Then you realize it's actually a watch. Then you realize you're not able to find the watch hands. Then you relax your eyes.
// via Mighty Illusions]]>
For Those "Blackhawk Down" Simulations You Conduct Once a Monthtag:www.timepiecer.com,2006://1.342006-11-09T14:19:08Z2006-11-14T15:53:41Z...Comes the Blackhawk Special Ops watch. Supposedly the world's only electromagnetically rechargeable timepiece -- it can dive to 330 feet and the LED can be read up to a mile away -- which sounds cool, until you realize that to...
...Comes the Blackhawk Special Ops watch. Supposedly the world's only electromagnetically rechargeable timepiece -- it can dive to 330 feet and the LED can be read up to a mile away -- which sounds cool, until you realize that to keep it charged you'll find yourself hanging out above the arctic circle for that fat chunk of electromagnetic chargeness by the Northern Lights. Then you'll flash your LED light and wonder why everyone is looking up at the sky instead.
// via Ubergizmo]]>
What's this? A timepiece made in Hungary? Apparently so as this "Grünbaum Karoly Budapest" inscription attests. Unfortunately the seller couldn't offer any details info on the otherwise straightforward looking pocketwatch. My guess by the name is a Habsburg holdover with an original locale more on the Austrian side of things (ergo, closer to die Swissland, ja). However there's really no telling if "Mr. Gruenbaum" busted out 10 of these from his garage, or had a minor production line... my guess is somewhere in between the two.
Ah...yes... nothing says "i love you" like a glamorous Cold War-era Soviet Pobeda now does it? I know that Pobeda was a line of Soviet cars also -- so was the watch a line made devoted to the cars? Or were they made independently? Or were there simply tons of Soviet products named 'Pobeda'? At any rate it nicely conjours up for me the image of civil servant Mikhail, dutifully putting in his time, and using his prized wristwatch to countdown all 49 years of his life. (52 if Ludmila gave him only half-servings of sour cream at the dinner table.)
Thiel Ruhla is an old old German manufacturer, from back in the 19th century, but dropped off the map for many years. I believe recently they've made a couple lines, of which the above is clearly not representative. This one is probably one of the last before they disappeared in the 1950s or so.
Old school Doxas: I know they are Swiss but they manage to look amazingly Soviet in this time period... of course it could've just been their surroundings at the market.
A pocket watch from CYMA, another of those 'tucked away in idyllic green Swiss valley' manufacturers dating back to the mid-19th century. Though, I must admit something slightly dodgy looking about this one, again maybe it's the company it keeps in some random suburban flea market district of budapest.
It's back to the USSR again with this Junost. Is it just me or could Pobeda and Junost joined forces and no one would've noticed? Then again if that happened there would've been no Pobeda vs. Junost company softball matches which I'm sure was a heated rivalry back in the day!
The second photo shows a Junost paired up with a Zarya: pride of Belarus! In 1956 the Minsk watch factory was opened, producing 56,000 identical copies of Zarya's generation one. However I'm sure most Soviet residents were holding out for generation two. Because you know, you can never be sure with gen one lines, maybe they'll scratch too easily, or the battery will be less than stellar. And, plus, in later years Zarya gave you two choices, silver or gold, so don't ever let yourself be fooled into thinking that the Soviet system didn't offer choices, ha.
Ahh, Poljot, probably the best known of the Soviet-era watch producers, and still existing today! Rumours of their demise a few years back were apparently premature... well at least they still have a functioning website. The one shown here though could be a "Poljot International" which were German produced using Russian or Swiss made movements.
Small, gold, "Lumige" I couldn't trace this one at all... Swiss? German? Antarctic? Kinda pretty, if girly.
And finally, more randomness from yore... if you can identify, contact me!
Stay tuned for part 2 when I hit Budapest's "city park" flea market.
]]>
Connect to your computer, your CD player, your MP3 player, your car radio, your other watch, your girlfriend, and no tell what else with this week's TWIT special: FMP3 watch. And just for fun wear it with all 8 cords attached for that octopus effect!
// Raremonoshop via Wrist Dreams]]>