Watchmaking and feather art - The gentle caress of time
Long confined to the fields of , theatre or show costumes, military parades and ornaments, feather art has in recent years gradually begun to lend a poetic touch to watch dials whose unique aesthetic offers an enchanting interpretation of time. While it is not the first artistic craft that watchmaking is adopting, it is definitely one of the rarest, since very few artisans have succeeded in safeguarding this expertise across successive eras. Feather working enjoyed its heyday in around 1860 to 1870 and peaked in the 20th century before dwindling to a far smaller scope. The war and various crises contributed to this loss of popularity, causing this subtle and marvellous art to become all but forgotten.
Amid the great wave of artistic crafts that watchmaking has been showcasing for the past decade or so, models adorned with feathers are some of the most original. A front-runner in this domain, Harry Winston has indeed created an elegant Midnight Feathers collection that is interpreted according to the variety, colour and texture of the feathers chosen. Silver pheasant, tinted guinea fowl, duck or peacock feathers: the extremely diverse possibilities afford an infinite variety of matt, shiny, colourful or geometrical-effect arrangements. Harry Winston provides a remarkable illustration of this craft with the Midnight Feathers Automatic 42mm. To create the elegant dial of this men’s watch, the artisan selected the finest domestic goose feathers and assembled them under the magnifying glass so as to create cleverly alternating contrasts. The deceptive appearances of this dial give the impression that this might almost be a subtle vetiver, cedarwood and bulrush marquetry. The artisan’s gestures are extremely precise and guided by a quest for harmony that calls for both technical mastery and artistic vision.
The Dior VII Grand Bal Cancan features a different technique as well as an airier style. The dial of this 88-piece limited edition is a true miniature marvel. Much like a magnificent evening dress, the dial and the oscillating weight are clothed in three layers of feathers. These light and vividly colourful peacock blue, yellow, black and white feathers belong to a rooster from Tuscany. Exquisitely assembled and as light as lacework, they emulate the extravagant splendour of a ball gown swirling across a dance floor and this delightful effect is perfectly framed by the diamond-set pink gold and ceramic case.
For Corum, the feather art gives rise to elegant dials highlighting the pristine beauty of bird feathers. Gifted with both patience and dexterity, the artist rigorously selects the finest feathers in terms of their stability, density, colour and resistance to damp. The observer cannot fail to be moved by the Feather Watch Blue Jay model graced by a marquetry of feathers from this beautiful bird and is also bound to appreciate the vibrant colours of the diamond-hemmed peacock feathers of the Feather Watch “Peacock Steel” and “Peacock Gold” creations. Available in both masculine and feminine versions, they offer magnificent demonstrations of creative panache.
Hanhart - Thomas Morf
After completing his basic technical education, Thomas Morf's career soon led him abroad, where he was responsible for managing projects focusing on the commissioning of thermal turbomachinery. He was then attracted to the IT business for a while, undertaking a period of on-the-job training to gain a qualification in business administration. As an ardent lover of timepieces, he moved to the Swiss watch brand Maurice Lacroix in 1995 and spent time living in the Far East in his capacity as the Director Asia/Pacific. Equipped with this valuable experience and knowledge, he joined the Bucherer Group in 2001 as CEO of Carl F. Bucherer. He not only developed the brand into an independent company within the group, but by taking advantage of the brand's own movements and manufacture workshops for producing mechanical calibres and functional modules, he also developed it into a widely recognised manufacturer.
On 1 October 2010, Thomas Morf took over as CEO of the watch brand Hanhart, which has its registered offices in Diessenhofen in the Swiss Canton of Thurgau and in Gütenbach, Germany. He is also a shareholder in the company.
Tradition and expertise in precision timekeeping
The Swiss-German watch brand Hanhart is known for its high-precision, 100% reliable and robust instrument watches for use in the air, on the land and on the sea. It combines cutting-edge Swiss and German knowledge and skills with the long-standing tradition and expertise of its own manufactory, which has its origins in the watch business established by Johann A. Hanhart in Diessenhofen in 1882. The company, which remains the leading manufacturer of premium timepieces to this very day, not only launched the first affordable mechanical stopwatch in 1924, but it also began manufacturing wristwatches at an early stage at its production site in Gütenbach, southern Germany. These included the single-button “Calibre 40” chronograph as well as the legendary “Calibre 41” and “Tachy Tele” pilot's chronographs, which date back to 1939. These chronographs are steeped in history, and today their replicas have become coveted collector's pieces and connoisseur's items for those with a penchant for fine precision watches.The design and technology of the Pioneer watch models are based on Hanhart's long tradition and its legendary chronographs. They therefore include features such as the unmistakable red reset button, the typical “bicompax” dial design as well as the asymmetrical button arrangement – which has been the trademark characteristics of the brand's chronographs right from the start. Just like all Hanhart watches, they stand out thanks to their perfect functionality and immaculate readability.Working in close collaboration with the brand's own manufacture workshops in Gütenbach and highly specialised suppliers from the Swiss watch sector, a new, progressively designed collection of mechanical chronographs was developed under the name “Primus” in 2009. It combines historical features – such as the unmistakeable red button, which has distinguished Hanhart watches since 1939 and was previously intended to prevent pilots from unintentionally resetting the stop time – with the latest technology and progressive design. The Pilot, Racer and Diver models are based on the brand's core competence: competence: high-precision, extremely reliable and robust instrument watches for use in the air, on the land and on the sea.High-quality mechanical stopwatches under the name ClassicTimer, manufactured over several production stages in the Gütenbach factory, still represent a key product segment for Hanhart. Used in the past at all the important motor races, today these stopwatches are most popular among ambitious vintage car rally drivers.Over the next few years, the further expansion of Hanhart's home markets of Germany and Switzerland as well as key export markets will become increasingly important. Both the wristwatches and the mechanical stopwatches from the ClassicTimer collection are already available from selected specialist retailers in many countries.
Longines Legend Diver (L3.674.8.50.0)
US$ 279.00
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 4936 Yellow Gold Diamond Mother of Pearl (4936J-001)
US$ 238.00
Longines La Grande Classique Two Tone Stainless Steel Ladies Watch L42743377
US$ 238.00
Longines Master Silver Dial Steel and 18K Rose Gold Automatic Men's Watch L2.793.5.79.7
US$ 238.00
Omega Constellation 27mm Quartz Brushed Diamond Bezel / MOP (123.15.27.60.55.001)
Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Firenze (PAM00605)
Hamilton Intra-Matic Silver Dial Leather Men's Watch H38455751
Piaget Altiplano Automatic Silver Dial Brown Leather Men's Watch G0A35131
Zenith Captain Ultra Thin Moonphase Opaline Dial 18kt Rose Gold Ladies Watch 18231169203C498
