For Chinese artist Sun Xun, the existential questions explored in his artwork are the same existential questions he asks of himself. What is time? What is forever? What is history? What is the future? What is now? http://www.esquire.com/style/news/a51263/audemars-piguet-sun-xun-art-basel-miami-beach/ At the invitation of luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, a site-specific artwork called "Reconstruction of the Universe" was unveiled for the second Audemars Piguet Art Commission at Art Basel in Miami this past weekend. It may not immediately seem like a natural pairing, but these compelling time-related concepts are shared by AP—a reflection upon the rapidly changing future of complicated fine watches. What seems to be a highly conceptual connection slowly reveals an important similarity between the artist and watchmaker. In the pantheon of luxury goods, Rolex has a unique spot: The word conjures up not a logo or a covetable item, but rather the very idea of a beautifully made and enduring timepiece. It is nearly synonymous with the word heirloom, and for that reason, the watchmaker has earned an enormous and loyal following around the world.
For many, buying new gives them instant access to this legacy, but collectors and connoiseurs want something more, a watch with history as well as pedigree. The value of rare models reaches stratospheric heights at some of the biggest auction houses in the world. Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's, and Antiquorum have all set records prices for notable Rolex watches that have come up for auction. Great design knows no boundaries. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the post-World War II golden age of Italian automotive design—from the 1940s through the 1970s—has influenced the world of watch design as well as the world of cars. Automakers like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, and Maserati immediately conjure up visions of sleek, aerodynamic lines that feel as appropriate on a sports car as a timepiece. Watches and driving are, after all, intimately linked, with accurately measuring speed an all-important aspect of auto racing.
When it comes to buying an exceptional watch, Rolex is virtually synonymous with achieving success. Like buying a bespoke suit, purchasing a Rolex watch represents one of life's great accomplishments, one that goes far beyond just owning a beautiful timepiece—and no other brand conjures up quite this type of personal connection or emotional reaction.
The day has come. You've worked your butt off, you've saved up for months, and you're now ready to reward your hard-earned success with a status symbol that says "I've made it." It's time to buy a grown-up watch.
But where do you start? You want a piece that will impress your friends with your impeccable taste, sure, but you also want to make a smart (and beautiful) investment. First thing's first: Educate yourself. Shopping for a big-ticket watch can be intimidating, but armed with the right questions and know-how, you can be confident you're choosing the right one for you. Here, all of the most important elements to consider: Lighthearted and whimsical may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of lifestyle brand Shinola, but a new ladies collection named Gomelsky flips the script on their masculine All-American ethos.
http://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/a8630/shinola-womens-watches-gomelsky-collection/ For collectors of fine timepieces, scarcity, condition, and original details are of utmost importance. Over the weekend in Geneva, one of Patek Philippe's rarest and most-admired wristwatches was offered by the auction house Phillips, shattering records to become the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction.
http://www.esquire.com/style/news/a50653/patek-philippe-most-expensive-auction/ Jaeger-LeCoultre just added an updated Memovox to its roster.
http://www.esquire.com/style/news/a50419/jaeger-lecoultre-master-memovox-boutique/ And the co-founders of Worn & Wound are throwing a three-day watch fair in NYC this weekend to celebrate them.
http://www.esquire.com/style/news/a49673/worn-and-wound-fair/ These unique watches—by the likes of Dali, Gilbert Albert, and Andrew Grima—are all the style inspiration you need.
http://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/g2926/watch-auction-donald-gruenberg/ |
AuthorStephen Watson is a freelance stylist and watch editor. Archives
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