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Soldiers of Fortune

from Calibre11 by Jude Morte
DELIGHTFUL DERIVATIVE The revolutionary Panerai P.2005 watch movement set a standard for diving watches, thanks to world-reknowned accuracy, a GMT function, manual winding and three spring barrels that accumulates enough energy to operate the watch for at least six days. One delightful derivative of this calibre (the movement of the watch) is the Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT 47 MM Titanium. This watch combines tradition, sports qualities and exclusivity, along with durability characterized by a strong yet light case created in Grade Two titanium. The new Luminor is distinguished in particular by the tourbillon, a device invented by horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet at the end of the 18th century in order to eliminate errors of rate (faster or slower variations in time indication) caused by changes in the center of gravity, inaccurate workmanship, the thickening of the lubricating oil and the consequent varying friction in the different positions assumed by the watch.

Precision Goes Undercover

from Calibre03
RADO SINTRA XXL CHRONOMETER Rado steps up its game and comes up with a sleek COSC-certified, ETA-powered timepiece.The Rado Sintra XXL Chronometer is made from enhanced, scratch-proof ceramics. A COSC-certified ET A 2892-2A automatic movement powers its 21-jewelled automatic movement.The combination of black (case and bracelet strap) and rose gold (indexes, hours, minutes and seconds hands) gives the watch a modern, sophisticated flair.Rado Sintra XXL ChronometerRef. 629.0663.3.

Use and Care of Fountain Pens

from Calibre05 by Joey B. Server
The nib of a well maintained, vintage Vacuumatic. The nib of a well maintained, vintage Vacumatic.1 Writing with a fountain pen requires a slightly different technique than writing with a stylus-like instrument (such as a ballpoint or pencil). A bit more deliberation is needed, and a more careful application of pressure. If you’re new to fountain pen writing, it may take you a couple of weeks or so to develop the necessary touch or “chops”. It may help to visualize your pen as a brush with two bristles; you are painting ink onto the paper, rather than pushing it into the paper (as with a ballpoint).

Cartier and Comic Books

from Calibre05 by Carl S. Cunanan
The Ballon Bleu de Cartier books were designed by Jean-Luc Fromental adn Michel BavereyBallon Bleu de Cartier One of the elements we have found in the watch industry that continues to surprise and delight us is the level of inventiveness, creativity and whimsy that pops up where you least expect it. Sometimes this is found in the pieces themselves, sometimes in the events surrounding them, sometimes just in the amount of fun people are trying to bring into their lives. The Ballon Bleu de Cartier books were designed by Jean-Luc Fromental and Michel Baverey Cartier decided to launch their new wristwatch line with, of all things, comic books. More accurately, avante-garde comic book imagery brought forth with the premium feel that only they could provide. According to the illustrious luxury house, no Cartier object ever comes into existence without an accompanying legend. Their new watch, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier, brings forth its legend as viewed and conceptualized by seven of the brightest gems in contemporary comic book work.

Pagani Zonda F Chrono

from Calibre08 by Kevin Limjoco
Horacio Pagani has up and done it again. As if he wasn’t busy enough with building his Zonda supercars, he is opening a new facility half a block away from his headquarters in Modena. The new facility is three times larger with carbon fiber ovens consequently three times the size they are now, it will help speed up the production line immensely along with the space to develop entirely new products. If there was even a smidgen of doubt whether the Pagani Company was healthy or not, the presentation of the expansion program was enough to convince me of Horacio’s resolve. Horacio completely understands that it’s imperative for him to break into the US market to thrive, so you will see more than the 2 official cars in that country too, hence the extensive investments back into the factory for expansion.

Watching the Brits

from Calibre07 by Noel dela Merced
Little did John Arnold who founded Arnold & Sons ever reckon that this company he started in London at 1764 will one day be a world-renowned watch company. The unique back of the Grand Tourbillon Perpetual and its moon phase indication. Appointed to join the Court of the British King George III, John Arnold quickly realized that his true talent lay in his ability to invent timepieces for the British ships. This discovery enabled John Arnold to invent the first ever pocket chronometer, (Nº36). He also invented many horological breakthroughs like the helical balance spring, the bimetallic spring, and the spring detent escapement. Arnold and Sons possesses a rich history of leading great achievements in the field of Marine chronometers enacting and passing strict rules in the manufacturing process of maritime timepieces, as well implementing strict guidelines on how each and every watch are tested on land and on water.

A Quick History of Fountain Pens

from Calibre05 by Joey B. Server
Early Cross writing instruments.Where did it all begin?Early Cross writing instruments. The modern fountain pen can trace its roots to the lowly quill made from a goose’s tail feather (at least in Western history). But for the sake of saving a few pages, let’s leap forward to the fountain pen as we know it today with a nib, a feed and an ink reservoir. Starting in the 1850s there was a steadily accelerating stream of fountain pen patents and pens in production. In the 1870s Duncan MacKinnon, a Canadian living in New York City, and Alonzo T.

The Ballon Bleu de Cartier Watch

from Calibre05 by Carl S. Cunanan
The Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, the reason for all the enchanting imagery, isn’t quite what it seems. It looks round, but it isn’t quite. The style is somewhere between classic and futuristic. The glass magnifies the dial numbers and seems to distort time. The Roman Numerals are displaced by the Ballon Bleu itself, the sapphire cabochon decorating the winding mechanism of the precious metal models.

Talking About a Revolution

from Calibre12 by Vincent Galvante
The Seiko Watch Corporation has always been at the forefront of watch-making technology. With its latest release of the Spring Drive, the company looks poised to spark yet another major change in the industry.Driven to Lead Seiko has always taken great pride in being an innovator. From its humble beginnings as a clock supply factory and clockmaker established toward the end of the 19th century in the Ginza district of Tokyo, it ventured into watch-making, eventually releasing its first wristwatch model in 1924. But it was in 1969 that Seiko attained global fame by becoming the first watch company to successfully develop and market quartz watch technology. The world’s very first quartz watch, the Astron, was launched on December 25, 1969, months ahead of its Swiss competitors. This was quite a remarkable feat at the time, since Swiss manufacturers had long been recognized as the leaders in creating high-end, quality timepieces.

175-176, New Bond Street

from Calibre05
FOR Ballon Bleu de Cartier Floc’hBorn in 1953 in Paris. Now lives and works in Paris.