Designer Marc Newsom first unveiled his stunning modern hourglass for Ikepod at last year's Baselworld. The hourglass was created in 2 models, the HGS20 and HGS80. Both are made of Borosilicate glass and measure 300 x 250 mm. Weighing 9.6 kg. the sand is made of stainless steel nickel nanoballs while in the HGS80, it is made of actual gold-plated nanoballs.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more elegant way to keep track of time.
The HGS20 -the stainless steel nanonball version- will soon be available for purchase at Colette
One of the most talked about and exciting new watches at this year's SIHH was Montblanc's TimeWriter 1: Metamorphosis. One watch, that through methods from the art of automaton construction, changes into another watch, right before your eyes.
By moving a slide down or up, this timepiece changes from a wristwatch with hour, minute, second display to a chronograph and vice versa.
TimeWriter I: One watch – two faces
The first watch of the TimeWriter series, the Metamorphosis, is based on the Montblanc chronograph calibre MBM 16.29 and derives its name from its unique dual functions and faces: By moving a slide down or up, the Metamorphosis changes from simple time indication to a chronograph and vice versa.
The first face: The Classic Time In the standard timekeeping mode, the watch displays hours, minutes and date and has a rather conservatively elegant appearance with Roman numerals in classic silver and black colours. The lower half of the dial displays an unusual circular date display.
A sliding mechanism starts the transformation process of the watch: By pressing the slide on the left-hand flank from “10” to “8” the watch starts with its metamorphosis process that lasts approximately 15 seconds and magically transforms it from the time indicating mode into a chronograph.
The second face: The Chronograph The metamorphosis itself can best be compared to a scene change at the theatre: wings of the dial open up, slide under one another, and disappear to the left and right beneath the middle section of the dial.
After the transformation, this masterpiece of mechanical timekeeping presents a face devoted entirely to the chronograph function. Emphasising the watch’s second function as a sports timer, the face displays Arabic numerals with red markers. The subdial, in the form of a rotating disc, now takes the stage as the minute counter. The existing hands and dials assume new roles as part of the chronograph.
The two inventors, Johnny Girardin and Franck Orny, came up with the idea of a timepiece that could literally and mechanically change its appearance before our very eyes. For over a year, they worked alongside the designers and watchmakers in the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie to transform their initial idea into a watch.
above: the inventors of the Montblanc Metamorphosis Franck Orny and Johnny Girardin
Although the principle of a watch with different functions is nothing entirely new, the way in which the Montblanc Metamorphosis transforms itself from one watch face to the other, has never been seen before. It is a highly complex process, involving 50 individual components that move technically synchronously. The mechanisms involved in this process are so new and innovative (The complication adds 315 extra parts to the original 252 parts of the Minerva Kaliber 16-29 hand-wound movement) that they’ve been registered for patent.
The Metamorphosis watch will only be available in a limited edition of 28 pieces. Price is still unknown as of yet.
One of the most talked about and exciting new watches at this year's SIHH was Montblanc's TimeWriter 1: Metamorphosis. One watch, that through methods from the art of automaton construction, changes into another watch, right before your eyes.
By moving a slide down or up, this timepiece changes from a wristwatch with hour, minute, second display to a chronograph and vice versa.
TimeWriter I: One watch – two faces
The first watch of the TimeWriter series, the Metamorphosis, is based on the Montblanc chronograph calibre MBM 16.29 and derives its name from its unique dual functions and faces: By moving a slide down or up, the Metamorphosis changes from simple time indication to a chronograph and vice versa.
The first face: The Classic Time In the standard timekeeping mode, the watch displays hours, minutes and date and has a rather conservatively elegant appearance with Roman numerals in classic silver and black colours. The lower half of the dial displays an unusual circular date display.
A sliding mechanism starts the transformation process of the watch: By pressing the slide on the left-hand flank from “10” to “8” the watch starts with its metamorphosis process that lasts approximately 15 seconds and magically transforms it from the time indicating mode into a chronograph.
The second face: The Chronograph The metamorphosis itself can best be compared to a scene change at the theatre: wings of the dial open up, slide under one another, and disappear to the left and right beneath the middle section of the dial.
After the transformation, this masterpiece of mechanical timekeeping presents a face devoted entirely to the chronograph function. Emphasising the watch’s second function as a sports timer, the face displays Arabic numerals with red markers. The subdial, in the form of a rotating disc, now takes the stage as the minute counter. The existing hands and dials assume new roles as part of the chronograph.
The two inventors, Johnny Girardin and Franck Orny, came up with the idea of a timepiece that could literally and mechanically change its appearance before our very eyes. For over a year, they worked alongside the designers and watchmakers in the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie to transform their initial idea into a watch.
above: the inventors of the Montblanc Metamorphosis Franck Orny and Johnny Girardin
Although the principle of a watch with different functions is nothing entirely new, the way in which the Montblanc Metamorphosis transforms itself from one watch face to the other, has never been seen before. It is a highly complex process, involving 50 individual components that move technically synchronously. The mechanisms involved in this process are so new and innovative (The complication adds 315 extra parts to the original 252 parts of the Minerva Kaliber 16-29 hand-wound movement) that they’ve been registered for patent.
The Metamorphosis watch will only be available in a limited edition of 28 pieces. Price is still unknown as of yet.
About Storm (from their own site): London fashion brand STORM is renowned for its exclusive, contemporary watches and other stylish fashion accessories. For the individual seeking a distinctive and unique expression, STORM offers a range of styles from funky edginess to sleek sophistication.
Today STORM is a global brand with a presence in more than 45 countries around the world and standalone STORM stores in numerous countries including Shanghai, Riga, Prague, Bratislava, Dubai, Melbourne and Delhi. More STORM stores are planned in India, China Nigeria and the Czech Republic during 2008.
Below are two of their newest watch releases. While not super easy to actually 'read' and 'tell time' they are stylish, unusual and already back-ordered.
The MK V:
A shutter mechanism shields the watch face and once opens reveals the time. The chunky case is made from brushed stainless steel and sits on a sleek rubber strap. Available in black, slate (below) and rose gold (above).
MK V, technical specs: Movement Japanese Movement Battery Standard Type Case Material Stainless Steel Case Diameter W : 42mm X H : 50mm W/R ATM Not Water Resistant Lens Mineral Glass Caseback Stainless Steel Crown Stainless Steel Band Type Rubber Strap Total Length N/A Max Fitting Length 210mm Adjustable Clasp Type Stainless Steel - S-Fold Clasp
The MK2 Circuit:
The futuristic design is complemented by an unusual LED time display. The band and case are made from high grade stainless steel.
Available colors:
MK 2 Circuit Technical specs: Movement LED Battery Standard Type Case Material Stainless Steel Case Finish Brush / Polish Case Diameter 30.6mm X 50.8mm W/R ATM 50m Lens Mineral Glass
