It’s Complicated – The Watch, That Is

I’m no expert when it comes to haute horlogerie, and I tend to favor understated watches for myself, but I do appreciate a beautiful, complicated timepiece.  Yes, I said timepiece.  Here are some of the latest videos I’ve been ogling over at Hodinkee, a real authority.

Like I said, I’m not connoisseur of clocks.  I do appreciate them though.  There is something about the advancing of science and engineering for the ultimate goal of creating something beautiful that is extremely poetic.  And from these quests, we can learn more broad-reaching lessons as well.

 

 

Take for example the Chapter Three.  The engineering alone didn’t present too complicated a problem.  But, when the designers took the technical and forced themselves to think within the boundaries of classic aesthetics and a particular set of parameters, the results are more than admirable.  Sometimes giving ourselves boundaries actually opens up possibilities.

Sure, sure it’s a little quixotic to rhapsodize like this after watching a vimeo clip of a gentleman explaining his latest time-keeping creation.  And yes, not all of the complications in this particular watch are crucial to one’s day-to-day existence, but bear with me.
 

 
The Legacy Machine One.  My favorite of the bunch here.  Beautiful and a perfect example of what can happen when you take the past and the future and mix them together perfectly.  There is nothing particularly “futuristic” or “anachronistic” about this watch, but it pushes boundaries subtly and elegantly.  It whispers it’s progress rather than shouting it.  If you only watch one of the videos here, this should be the one.
 

 
Sometimes less is more, and sometimes more is more.  The dial might be a little busy for my usual taste, but there is no denying that this thing is awe-inspiring.  The technical, the aesthetic, and the synchronicity of the two.  The watch reeks of the thought that went into dreaming it up, and even in its plentitude of complications, numbers, and markers, seems to show a careful restraint and respect for tradition.
 

 
And finally, the Tread Two.  Hideous, no?  But technologically very interesting.  Suffice it to say, not all things which are technically brilliant make for great dressing and accessorizing.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s a watch, a pair of shoes, or a suit.  It’s the total package that matters, not just how many man-hours go into making a thing.  There are great pieces of craftsmanship that are completely un-stylish.