I visited quite a few watchmanufactures in 2016. I started in January with the new Manufacture building of Hublot.
Then went to Zenith. I visited Kari Voutilainen in his Ateliers. His watches are on a whole other level and the man himself is so humble yet so genius in how he makes his timepieces.
I also visited Tag Heuer and the museum there.
Arnold & Son was just around the corner, and I visited quite a few more, but too many to list.
This is the original clock which is the base for the Arnold & Son Pyramid.
Yet looking back, I believe my most impressive visit of this year was in Glashütte at Lange & Söhne after they opened their new Manufacture building. It was amazing to see how much handwork goes into one watch, into their movements, and it is the same standard for all of their watches, no matter which price level. Consistency, extremely high level of hand finishing, and a very “German” attitude to perfection. I had a 3 hour tour around, and left the premises with lasting memories while wandering the isles of the Glashütte watchmuseum. I am a vintage guy, but if I had to get only one modern watch, it would be no other than a Lange & Söhne.
While I had the intention to finally visit some of the big auctions (Phillips and Christies and Sothebys), I again didn’t do it. Not sure if I missed something, but I got to see plenty of rare Rolex even without visiting them. If things play out, I will visit some of these auctions next year.
Last but not least, I ended up winning the Corum dial design and got my very own dial in a Corum Bubble. Since I have been painting since I am a little child, that was a very cool confirmation. The watch is a unique piece and will always be.
Let me say goodbye to 2016, and wish you all a happy and healthy 2017.