Montblanc

MTF
[PuristS]
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Gem-setting on the highest of haute horlogerie & A RANT

Gem setting on the highest of haute horlogerie has been the norm since Day 1.

In those days (as now), only the best watches were deemed worthy to be embellished with the cost and effort of gem-setting.  Encasing and gem-setting was just as important, if not more, than the assembly of movements.

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For hundreds of years, we have looked at the external form and function of watches. Casebacks were closed to protect the movement from UV light, dust, moisture and degradation of lubricant. So, they made the watch pretty on the outside to reflect the beauty iinside.

We said, "That is a handsome / pretty / pleasing / etc, watch." 

We asked, "When I do this, how does it work or what does it do to the watch?"

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Now, we seem to be looking inside the watch more than it's functional or aesthetic face. What happened? Don't we care that the bloody expensive thing actually tells time / date / moonphase or whatever, anymore?  "Never mind the quality.....feel the width !" 

Have we gone too far, in an unbalanced (sic) way?  Is that why our modern movements now look like spaceships, robots and the Clifton Suspension Bridge rather than just perform excellently?

A rare rant from me is now over....temporarily. 

Regards, MTF