Just Because – A Space Story – How a Micro-Brand Watch by Dave Sutton and an ErikasOriginals MN Strap Ended Up on the ISS
Space exploration is a recurring topic when it comes to watches. Of course, the Omega Speedmaster a.k.a. Moonwatch is the reference when it comes to space-linked timepieces, however, it’s not the only watch that made it up in the sky. Recently, we discovered that another watch had been launched via a resupply mission to the ISS, a custom-made pilot’s watch, by Dave Sutton, worn on a Marine Nationale strap by our good friend Erika (from ErikasOriginals). Obviously, we wanted to know more about this very cool story.
It’s little wonder that when Seiko released its Presage Cocktail Time watch to the international market last year (until then it was available only to the Japanese domestic market) it was an immediate hit. The gorgeous, sunray-patterned dial, the chic colours, the tremendous value for money … Although pitched as a men’s watch, it gained legions of female fans – although for many it provoked a severe case of FOMO or, more accurately, KIMO (know I’m missing out). That’s because although the watch is perfectly proportioned, its 40.5mm diameter is just too big for women with tiny wrists. Seiko must have been listening because – hurrah! – we have a new collection, identical to the original Cocktail Time except for its 33.8mm diameter. Now, I’m no fan of the “shrink it for the ladies” school of watch design (or, rather, failure-to-design), but here’s a notable exception: It Totally Works. There’s no compromise on the details, no gratuitous adding of diamonds (“Because that’s what the ladies like”, supposedly); the movement is the same super-reliable and robust self-winding calibre 4R35 as the men’s; and the scaled-down proportions are spot-on. The size hits that Goldilocks spot for a modern woman’s watch — not too…
If watch brands were Facebook relationship statuses, Franck Muller would be “It’s complicated”. Not because the Swiss-based manufacturer has commitment problems but, rather, quite the opposite. Since its beginnings in Genthod – located in the countryside of Geneva – the innovative brand has been committed to upholding its reputation as the “Master of Complications”. And the latest addition to the enduring Master Banker collection shows off its inner intricacies with a fully skeletonised dial and movement. Vital statistics The perfect picture inside the elegant curves of the trademark Vanguard case. The open-worked dial not only gives view through to the skilfully skeletonised automatic calibre inside but also displays three separate time zones. The central hour, minutes, and seconds hands tell the local time and are synchronised to the date aperture at 9 o’clock. While sitting above and below are two sub-dials, which along with the central time are adjusted via the same crown. The real kicker, however, is that both the hour hand and the minute hand of these sub-dials can be independently adjusted. The wonderfully tonneau-shaped rose gold case measures 44mm wide by 53.7mm long. And a rubber-lined leather strap holds it close to the wrist. Initial thoughts While…
