Another year full of rich moments, this year, which I will try to sum here. Introductions, events, additions, trips, yes, we can say it was a year full of intensity.
Let's see all these moments in the details.
1/ The novelties:
As each year, the first horological moment is the SIHH.
This year, I have to mention four brands: Jaeger Lecoultre, which I moderate, Lange, Panerai and Montblanc.
Panerai... I think we can say that THE conversation piece is the PAM 662, wrongly introduced as an evocation of the Small Egiziano Ref 6154.
By wrongly, I mean that if it was an evocation of the 6154, then the dial should be more vibrant, and the case much thinner...
But its dial is certainly worth some efforts, considerations and thoughts.
I was, truth to be told, a bit disappointed by my first contact with the watch, a distant contact as I could only see it through the window display, and with the spotlights, the color of the dial didn't please me, to say the least.
But, under different light conditions, my feelings changed, and I found it very appealing.
I would have preferred a different set of hands. Still, I think it is an interesting piece form this year, at the point I am considering getting it.
Lange: The Datograph Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar and the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds deserved to be mentioned among the few stars of this year.
If I had to choose only one, it would be the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds.
I would have preferred without the small opening at the intersection of the minute and hour subdials, but this watch is just awesome.
A true Lange, one of the best from the last 15 years, in my opinion and heart.
Jaeger Lecoultre: With the introduction of the Reverso 85th anniversary line, we could expect that this year would be rectangular, at Jaeger Lecoultre, and our expectations were correct.
The whole Reverso family has been re thought, the cases, the choices of the movements, the dials.
While I am not a big fan of the " automatic " option, I have to say that two Reverso caught my attention. One is a dream, the Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon, which is truly admirable due to the nature of the watch and the case thickness ( or better said, thinness, here ), and the other caught my heart, the Reverso Tribute Duo, a superb, exquisite offer, in a case which is close to the Reverso GT from the 90's, a bit bigger, though.
The Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon:
The Reverso Tribute Duo:
Clearly, I see a Reverso Tribute Duo in my future.
Montblanc, now... A brand I discovered a few years ago, in 2011, as a watchmaker, I mean, and a brand which made me fall in love with one of their watches, the 1858 Tachymeter, which I could finally see in the real during the SIHH.
What can I say? I was so convinced by the first press pictures that I put a pre order in a blind way, asking Montblanc to let me see the watch in the real life before confirming my order, but that there were 90% of chances I would do the jump.
And at the end, as you well know, I did the jump.
Everything pleases me on this Chronograph: The case, the dial, the hands, and most of all... The movement.
I will say it straight, this is one of the finest chronograph from the current production, along with the Jaeger Lecoultre Duometre Ă Chronographe, the Lange Datograph and the Patek 5370.
The 1858 Tachymeter:
2/ The additions:
Among the few I could make this year, there are two I want to mention.
The Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter: A watch which had the biggest wrist time, with an ever growing love and respect.
A watch I brought with me almost everywhere, which lived the good and bad moments of the year, as a good and faithful companion it is.
The Jaeger Lecoultre Duometre Ă Chronographe:
If you know me, you know the story between myself and this watch.
In January 2011, this watch was stolen to me with several others.
Since then, I waved a lot... Psychologically, it was not easy to convince myself to buy a watch which was stolen to me.
But, on another side, I like this watch so much that I considered getting it. The easier way would have been to go for another Duometre, the Unique Travel Time or the Quantième Lunaire White Gold enamel which are absolutely fabulous watches.
But the " A Chronographe " is THE Duometre, the first one, the all new one: A new case, a new dial, a new movement, totally integrated chronograph, a new concept.
So, it was logical to first go for that one. Now that it is locked, the thing is to know if I will be able to get it. We'll know how the story will end in a few days.
3/ Events and trips.
Swiss, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Morocco and Hong Kong. Yes, it was another full year of moves.
Swiss: The SIHH as every year since 2006. But also a quick visit to the Manufacture, to discover the 2016 Memovox Boutique Edition, so called " Blue ", in September.
At the Manufacture, I also discovered the Rare Handcrafts workshop, which gathers all the artistic specialities, such as enameling, engraving, decoration....
Germany: Hamburg. The opportunity to pick my Montlbanc 1858 Tachymeter and to meet Jerome Lambert. As you can guess, a great moment.
I was lucky enough to meet our dear Count de Monet!
Italy, Slovenia and Croatia are most often dedicated to holidays in family. But this year, like past years, we were lucky to be able to gather with some local Purists, in Trieste, and in Croatia. Massimiliano, Gigi, Zabreg, Damjan, Goran, and our recent moderator, KMII, and to live some epic moments.
Gigi's awesome Vintage Rolex Daytona... On pink.
A crazy gathering.
And what to say about the trip in Hong Kong?
Many friends, many passionate discussions. And the launch of the Jaeger Lecoultre Memovox Boutique Edition Blue.
And... Many crazy moments.
Yes, this was an intense year, this year, with all the ingredients for an excellent time.
Let's hope two things, by way of conclusion:
- THAT you had some great moments, on Watchprosite. We had many new members, this year, who were very active and took an important place in our community.
- THAT we'll have an as intense year, in 2017, with the same madness, passion, and.. Pleasure.
Long life to you and to our virtual home, my friends.
Nicolas
