Tuesday, 21 July 2015

Oozing passion... By love, for love, of watches

Thanks to industrialization, we can now enjoy quality goods at a fraction of the cost otherwise made the traditional way. The ever improving speed, efficiency and tolerance in manufacturing enable precision materials to be produced at large scale, maximizing the economies of scale in production, and benefiting end customers in cost and availability. The flip side of it is, everything looks like everything else, and everyone has what everyone else have. There is no problem to this in true honesty, and I think what it means is that the quality of life has improved in general through the industrial revolution.

However, I guess it is in human nature, there is a snob in all of us. As we climb the Maslow hierarchy of needs; as our physiological, security and loving needs are met, we long to be esteemed. I'm not saying that everyone is a show-off, but rather, everyone of us like the feeling of being appreciated, respected and honored for what we've done and contributed in our own unique way. Be it pampering ourselves for our achievements, or as a display of social status arrived, many at this level of needs choose material possessions that represent their uniqueness and personality, or so they thought.

It is precisely because marketing geniuses around the world recognize this human mentality, that's why the tsunami of limited editions of all things expensive, particularly watches. It is almost a social norm in many cultures to judge a person's success with what they wear on their wrist; what better way of demonstrating that than a luxury limited edition that conveys taste and high society standing? Except that these limited edition comes in hundreds, and in some cases, by the thousands. I have to admit, I am a sucker for these things of subtle variation with those words and numbering on their cases. The "saving grace" if I may, is my limited resources to these unlimited wants.

As I dig deeper into the quest for that ultimate grail watch, if I ever have the means to own one, I begin to see past the temptation of limited editions from big brand names. Independent watch making, where the watch is conceptualized, design, manufactured, assembled and tested by one person; Hand making each and every component from the most basic of materials, is watch making in its truest and finest form.

Phillipe Dufour's Grande et Petite Sonnerie

Every gear tooth, every chamfer, bevel and decoration was
hand crafted and polished to perfection with basic (traditional) tools
by Phillipe Dufour

Famed by his creation of the best sounding skeletonized Repetition Minutes Grande et Petite Sonnerie, Phillipe Dufour is one of the few grandmasters in world of horology. His creativity, skills, patience and passion in watch making is unparalleled. Taking anywhere from months to over a year to final completion, his creation can only be achieve by immense love for what his is doing; bringing metals to life with the first heartbeat of its balance wheel.

Masters of Time: Independent Watch Makers
featuring 'Phillipe Dufour' and 'Antoine Preziuso'
showcased their fine art of master watch making

Even when the hand polished to perfection cases does not bare the words and numbering of limited edition, each design is definitely limited to a few, if not one unique piece. Tote by a inconspicuous name on the dial, which only few would recognize, a masterpiece made by one of these grandmasters in the watch making fraternity is definitely the epitome of class and fine personal taste in my opinion. It is my hope that you'll take notice of some of these gems the next time you're considering an addition to your collection. Not only will you be acquiring a bragging right, but a heirloom that carries and hopefully, help preserves and extend the history and art of fine watch making for generations to come...

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