The Ressence Type 1 Squared – A Subtle and Dressier Take on the “Beyond Hands” Concept (Review)
When just before the SIHH 2017, we, at the Monochrome redaction, received the news about a new Ressence Type 1, I have to admit that I was personally quite curious. From what I could see on the photos, this new “Squared” was clean, more horological, slimmer and with a shape that I love, an elegant cushion. Still, nothing worth a try on the wrist (you can’t imagine how many deceptions I had after strapping on the wrist a watch that I loved on photos). And, oh boys and girls, what a pleasant surprise I had with the Ressence Type 1 Squared…
January 26 marks Australia Day – a public holiday to celebrate the melting pot that is our nation. For many, that will involve a barbecue, a slip-n-slide and an esky full of cold ones. For us at T+T, as well as all that, it will involve raising a glass to the Australian watch industry. Granted, it may be small, but that doesn’t stop it punching above its weight. Here are just three of those homegrown brands. Aegir Instruments This Perth-based brand began in 2007 as a one-off project by Todd Caldwell, a commercial diver who couldn’t find quite what he needed. When it became clear there was interest beyond his diving colleagues, the company has continued to evolve. Check out our review of the limited edition Concept Diver 2. Erroyl Set up in Canberra in 2014, Erroyl kicked things off with its Heritage Collection, which was joined a year later by the Regent Collection, including our pick, the Nero. Melbourne Watch Company Launched in 2013 following a successful campaign crowd funded by the online watch community, the brand’s timepieces are all named after Melbourne locations – including this, the Portsea. Feature image: sydney-australia.biz
Let’s get this out of the way early on. Does the Girard-Perregaux Laureato share some visual similarities with other well-known luxury steel sports watches? Sure, but we can easily think of half a dozen watches that fit that particular bill. AP and Patek don’t have a monopoly on ’70s design. And make no mistake, the Laureato is very much a ’70s design. In fact, as far as watch designs go, it’s got a great backstory. The first Laureato, released in 1975, was a quartz, arriving as it did six years after the invention of the quartz wristwatches. Not only that, it was (according to GP) the first quartz movement made entirely in-house, and it also determined the frequency standard 32,768 Hz that’s still used today. Quite a feat given the novel and complex technologies involved. The watch – designed by an Italian architect, its octagonal bezel inspired by the footprint of Florence’s famous dome – was a hit, and by the latter part of the decade it had become GP’s best-seller. Even then, the key elements of bezel, hobnail dial pattern and integrated bracelet were key design features. And it’s not like the Laureato has suddenly reappeared after a long absence. The collection was given an upgrade…
