A chance meeting

In 1990s, Philippe Streiff, who worked for the tourist board of Neuchâtel, criss-crossed the world to raise awareness of his region. Switzerland has a number of iconic landmarks, including Geneva’s water jet, the Matterhorn in the Valais, and the Pont de la Chapelle in Lucerne. But what would help Neuchâtel to stand out from other cities? The answer is watches, and the way the watch industry has influenced the region’s urban architecture (which led to its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 27 June 2009).

Known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the 144th edition of the Kentucky Derby did not disappoint. Horse narrowly edged out Good Magic and Audible to take the coveted prize money and the wreath of roses. 

It is a watch that is laced with history and emotion, as well as a uniqueness that will make it coveted among a community of collectors of a brand that is already highly collectible. The unique piece 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” that will be sold by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo during the spring watch sales on the weekend of 12-13 May in Geneva has a poignancy to it. Walter Lange had long wanted to reproduce in a contemporary watch the patent of his grandfather Emil Lange (one of the first patents to be awarded in Germany) for a “one-second movement with jumping hand”. Sadly, the project only came to fruition after Walter Lange’s death just before the SIHH 2017 and was completed in a record time of just 10 months.

In 2016, Lo Scienziato was the first mechanical timepiece with a titanium case 3D-printed using the technique of Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Lo Scienziato is now available in a new version which still has all the characteristics of its predecessor but with a slightly revised appearance. In the new model the blue of the hands, harmonising perfectly with the metallic tones of the titanium case, is also used on the flange and in the sewing of the black leather strap, giving the watch an even sportier appearance, perfect for this creation with such a high level of technical content.

At Baselworld 2017, Armin Strom surprised collectors by introducing a revolutionary concept for the watch industry, an online configurator. This configurator offers Armin Strom's clients the rare opportunity to imagine and to create their personalized watch. By choosing amongst various options, thanks to a specially conceived web site, collectors can see in real time their compositions come alive. 

Photographic competitions have been around for a long time, and watch awards are dominated by the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. But until now, there has never been a watch photography competition with an international dimension, open to the general public. We have attempted to remedy this omission by giving mechanical watch lovers a platform for them to photograph their watch, share it on watch-photo-awards.com, and maybe have it selected by the jury for publication by media partners, and be featured in an exhibition at the end of the year.