Watch Dandy

Okay, in terms of surprises, maybe seeing an ultra-technical inclined tourbillon show up at The Oscars pales in comparison to witnessing that incorrect Best Picture announcement, but it was still a pretty unexpected appearance. It goes without saying that there were a lot of people wearing a lot of interesting, different, conspicuous, and breathtaking timepieces at the 89th Academy Awards. However, one that really caught our attention, for several reasons, was the one worn by Straight Out Of Compton and Underground star Aldis Hodge, who was there thanks to the nomination of Hidden Figures for Best Picture. The watch he chose for the evening was the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique Sapphire, which is not only a spectacular choice, but also a spectacularly different choice.

It’s not something most of us think about on a daily basis, but most watches are basically useless for the visually impaired. Traditionally, the solution to this was to make watches with crystals that could flip up, allowing the wearer to feel the hands. These tended to be poorly made and touching the hands is a really good way to throw a watch off over time. But there are more creative solutions out there. Meet the Dot, a sleek motorized smartwatch that uses braille to give the wearer the time.

This week we’ve rounded up pieces that truly changed how wristwatches were worn, to greater and lesser degrees. Obviously the Rolex Submariner contributed immensely to the field of dive watches, but one should not underestimate what the Breitling Navitimer brought to pilot’s watches, nor the impact of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Futurematic (despite its limited success). Lastly, both the Heuer Jarama chronograph and the Union Glashütte Julius Bergter Edition are indicative of their makers’ mindsets at the time each was launched. Learn more in your Bring A Loupe for March 3, 2017.