Watch Dandy

While most objects and technologies that we engage with on a daily basis will be upgraded in a matter of a couple years or less, expertly crafted mechanical watches are designed and constructed to last “forever.” Mechanical watches are among a tiny category of objects of permanence that stand in defiance of the planned obsolescence that defines the vast majority of contemporary consumerism. This special place that watches holds in the present day is directly connected to the fact that watchmaking is among the most interdisciplinary fields in existence, deeply rooted in various spheres within both the arts and sciences.

If you know comedy or if you know cars, you know Spike Feresten. Spike has been a mainstay of the American comedy scene for upwards of two decades – getting his start as the receptionist at Saturday Night Live (where he earned the nickname “Spike”) before becoming a regular writer for SNL, focusing heavily on the then Dennis Miller-hosted Weekend Update. He would go on to write for Late Night With David Letterman and eventually end up as the author of several of the most iconic episodes of the most iconic sitcom in history. I’m talking about Seinfeld, and Spike’s episodes include “The Soup Nazi,” “The Wig Master,”  and “The Muffin Tops,” just to name a few. Like I said, iconic.

As anyone who’s been interested in watches on just about any level in recent years knows, Montblanc’s been steadily bumping up its game in the range, complexity, and technical sophistication of its watchmaking offerings from its tentative beginnings in 1997. One of its greatest assets in connecting to very traditional Swiss watchmaking, is the Minerva Manufacture, the acquisition of which by the Richemont Group, and Montblanc, in 2006 both revitalized Minerva, and gave Montblanc access to a stable of classic movements unlike anything else being offered by its competition.

Earlier today, A. Lange & Söhne announced a big update to the Lange 1 Moon Phase that sees it get a new base movement as well as a completely different take on the moonphase complication that includes a day/night indicator as well. After introducing you to the watch, I was able to go hands-on with all three models at Lange’s manufacture in Glashütte. Here’s a real life look at the newest addition to Lange’s catalog.