Every good thing has an end, and sadly, Holidays are not an exception to the rule...
This year, I brought with me 2 UN watches, the Sonata ( I never travel without it, as it is a perfect companion for travels with its precious alarm function, even if in Italy or in Croatia, I didn't have to use the GMT function ), and the Freak, for its mesmerizing and strong originality.
The Freak and the Sonata represent the genius of their Creators, indeed.
Different, they are.
To me, The Freak is designed like an horological madness, aesthetically, a bit like a concept watch, while the Sonata although original, is more classic.
Italy and Croatia share an essential thing with UN...The Love of Blue, and certainly a bit more, as we will see....
It seems that for UN, Blue is an important color, as it is present on a lot of their watches.
Sometimes, on the dial, like on the Blue Wave, the Freak, or the 160 Anniversary for example.
Sometimes, it is more subtle, like on the Sonata, with its blued hands and indexes, which bring a nice, discret, yet elegant contrast to the dial.
Italy is also a source of Inspiration for U.N.
We all know that Mr Oeschlin was inspired by the Farnèse Astronomical Clock ( in fact, he restored it ! ) at the Vatican, when conceiving the Trilogy of Time ( Astrolabium Galiléo Galiléi, Planetarnium Copernicus and Tellurium Johannes Kepler ) .
Here, the Galiléo Galiléi:
We also have to keep in mind that another monument, or should I better say Masterpiece was a source of inspiration, too: The Torre Dell' Orologio, but this time in another City...
In Venezia, more precisely in the famous Piazza San Marco.
Three Hints...Three links with UN...
San Marco ( the name, but also the symbol ), the dial of the clock, and the top of the Torre Dell' Orologio.
The legend says that the creators of the Torre Dell' Orologio were taken their eyes off, to not reproduce the masterpiece.
Hopefully, times changed!
Created in 1496, this monument displays digital hours and minutes, an astronomical dial showing the Hours, location of the Sun, Zodiac Signs, and the Seasons.
Just above the Lion, which is the San Marco Symbol, you will see 2 Automatons striking the hours.
Does it remind you something?
No?
And now, have a look at that marvel:
Or, if you prefer something in blue...
Mr Schnyder said it himself, in the " Making of a Masterpiece " book:
" I looked up and I saw the Jacquemarts strike out the passage of time with their hammers and I knew that this was the beautifully human touch that will distinguish our repeaters ".
The Piazza San Marco gave its name to other U.N Watches...
Here with a stunning blue dial: ( Don't know who to credit for ):
Or there, my wife's watch:
Like for UN Watches, Blue is ommipresent, in Italy...
Blue as the Sky:
Blue as the sea... I took the last pic of the Freak ( above ) at the Miramar Castle, in the gardens:
Another evidence of the amazing importance of the brand in the Sea World:
Sorry, I couldn't resist...
Holidays are really a great time to appreciate these very special Beauties, to " dive " into their captivating dials, to enjoy each moment in their company, in a total destressed environment.
Time to give time to time, and to appreciate every passing second...
Now, you get why I feel so ...Blue!
Best to all.
Nicolas
