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wind up watch news 6

The Wind Up – Watch News #6


Welcome to our first regular Series on Man of Many: The Wind Up covering the latest watch news from around the globe to keep you in the know on all things horology.

romain jerome super mario bros

Romain Jerome Super Mario Bros

Introduced by Romain Jerome to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Super Mario bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System gaming console, its release brings along with it feelings of nostalgia and many a childhood memory. The piece is quite large at 46mm wide, however the dynamic shape of its lugs allows it to sit quite comfortably on your wrist. It is covered in a PVD black titanium which suits the piece’s profile perfectly. The dial has a really cool “pixel” look to it and incorporates Super Mario, a mushroom, a cloud and a bush in a three-dimensional pixel style design with brightly coloured enamel. Without getting too technical (as this watch clearly plays to its aesthetic appeal), the movement is made up of the automatic RJ001-A which boasts a 42-hour power reserve. Nothing spectacular, but who cares. If you buy this piece, it would be for the design appeal and not the movement. A great piece with a really very limited production run, but if you do get it rest assured you would have purchased a time capsule of fun!

Note: RJ Watches, better known as Romain Jerome has declared bankruptcy and is no longer available.

harry winston ocean tourbillon jumping hour

Harry Winston Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour

Now I know I haven’t been too kind to Harry Winston of late and I was quite quick to jump down their throats with their last release, but this piece may have just redeemed themselves (in my book at least). Their latest piece is a true representation of what haute horlogerie should be: ostentatious; ambitious; unique yet classic; and above all else, timeless. The new Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour ticks those boxes for me. The case is fairly wide at 45mm, but I believe that is the point. If someone wants to wear a piece of contemporary haute horlogerie, then that someone tends to flaunt their wears proudly and without shame. The dial is broken up into two main parts. The main dial at 12 o’clock indicates the hours and jumps to the next full numeral position once the hour has changed, with a small red triangular minute indicator along the outer rim. At 6 o’clock is a suspended tourbillon that looks stunning and really ties together the visceral aspects of the piece. Overall finishing is sublime and flawless with brushed edges and wonderful movement finishing. Turn the piece over and you will be able to see just how clean the rear is. Not too busy, everything balanced and working in unison. Modern, complicated yet still somewhat classical. Well done Harry Winston.

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cartier rotonde de cartier astrotourbillon squelette

Cartier Rotonde De Cartier Astrotourbillon Skeleton

Cartier just seems to continuously produce pieces that have a special place in my heart. I find it extremely difficult to fault them. Understandably, their pieces are not for everyone, but I really do appreciate their work. Another piece that represents haute horlogerie, the Astrotourbillon Skeleton is a visual masterpiece that offers a viewing experience to the wearer that not many other pieces can match. The pure nature of a skeleton watch means that everything is exposed, and as such everything needs to be finished without flaw. Easier said than done. The case has been polished into this beautiful mirror finish which offsets the brushed movement and bridges quite well. The crown in itself is a work of art, and the lugs are pronounced and continue the mirror polishing schema flawlessly. The movement is comprised of the in-house manually wound calibre 9461 MC, which incorporates 233 parts and has approximately 49 hours of power reserve. Exclusive, expensive, enduring and exciting; a perfect choice.

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hublot big bang alarm repeater

Hublot Big Bang Alarm Repeater

Hublot is a brand that, subconsciously, I regularly pit against Audemars Piguet. They carry themselves in a similar manner, they have the same directives and they are in similar market niches. However, after all my comparisons are done and dusted, my favouritism takes over and I always ultimately choose Audemars Piguet. I just feel they carry a better brand pedigree and if I were presented with a choice between Hublot and Audemars Piguet, I would not hesitate in my decision. That being said, I haven’t written off Hublot entirely. Their latest “high horology” piece is an alarm repeater, which produces a melodic sound when activated via a gong and hammer system. The case is reflective of Hublot’s design ethos, big and chunky but still wearable. It has a uni-directional brushed finishing on the gold portion of the case, while the bezel has a finely grained look to it that screams modernism. The movement is the manually wound HUB5003 which can be see through the sapphire crystal case back. Nice and ordered with brushed finishing on the bridges. Only thing that gets to me are the bezel screws. Otherwise, a fairly decent piece.

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