“We contain multitudes” as the saying go. It is with that notion that the make-up of these remarkable watches are sights to behold. Derived from materials that soar above mere metal and plastic, these timepieces are worth their weight in…well, the element they are made out of. It's time we explored the intersection between nature’s elements and the craftsmanship in timepieces.
Sparks fly when magic happens. Sparks fly even further when Damascus steel is being forged. With its roots tracing back to the samurais and ancient middle east, whispers spoke of their ability to slice a falling strand of hair, or chop through other blades without losing its edge. The recipe for true Damascus steel has long been lost to time, but The Franck Muller Vanguard Damas Racing manages to capture its essence. By pattern welding two steel alloys and dipping them in an acid bath, that signature visual is reborn onto the watch’s case. The timepiece’s skeletonised design evokes the scorched aftermath of the forging process, revealing the intricate mechanical heart beating within. The ash grey finish completes the illusion, resembling a blade freshly forged from ingot, stripped bare long after the last spark has faded.
Steam perfectly captures the paradox of subtlety and might. It’s delicate and wispy. Yet, it possesses the raw strength that fuelled the Industrial Revolution, becoming a zeitgeist of its time. This very power plays a hidden role in the creation of the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, the world’s thinnest watch. It’s responsible for a vital process that transforms solid titanium tetrachloride into a purified vapour before condensing it into pure titanium, the same material used to craft the timepiece. The watch’s razor-thin profile shares an ephemeral affinity with steam—barely there, yet undeniably present. Just as steam can slip through the smallest cracks, this timepiece can glide effortlessly under any cuff. Did I forget to mention that it’s also a COSC-certified chronometer? Like I said, mighty
Ice embodies purity with such elegance. Its translucent being beckons our eyes to peer into its essence – tranquil, pristine, and if you look close enough, whispers of a quiet sizzle. Similarly, the Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Water Blue Sapphire captures this allure with a blue-hued sapphire case. Like a watch frozen in time, its sculptural 7-barrel movement protrudes from the dial, mimicking a teardrop on the verge of falling. But this design isn’t just for the eyes, it grants the watch the ability to house a power reserve of 14 days, echoing the enduring freezing quality of ice. The sapphire case serves as a window to the MP-11’s soul, allowing full transparency to the fine inner workings of the machine. Yet, this transparency belies its strength—Hublot guarantees 100% resistance to knocks and scratches, blending delicate beauty with robust durability
Dirt is often regarded rather derogatorily, yet it is the very foundation of life. It is in the dirt that seeds germinate, and it is through the quiet alchemy of decay that ecosystems thrive. The IWC Aquatimer IW379503, with its bronze case tells a similar tale. As time leaves its mark, the metal weathers and tarnishes, mimicking the natural process of ageing and the accumulation of history – much like the earth itself. This timepiece invites us to find beauty in the imperfect, the aged, the seemingly mundane.
