Butterface Of The Week

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Eight Days Perpetual SQ

As much as I've enjoyed JLC's work over the years, I have to say that this limited edition model--although daring in execution--just misses the mark with regards to a skeletonized movement.

For an example of what JLC can accomplish with the art of skeletonizing, we just have to look at the Reverso in white gold. Not only beautiful in case and dial design, but the gold plates and bridges, set off by the blued screws presents a masterpiece in wrist art.

Housed in the familar Master series case made of 950 platinum, the styling is magnificent, if not a little large at 41.5mm. Having saphire crystals back and front, gives the wearer to oportunity to view the skeleton movement. The matt grey alligator strap sports a white gold deployment clasp.

The watch tells the wearer the hours, minutes, date, day, month, year, moon phases, power reserve, day/night indicator and has a red security zone, although it's function I have no idea.

The movement is a JLC (natch) manually-wound calibre 876SQ, built and decorated by hand, has a balance with a 28,800 vibration per hour beat, an eight day power reserve powered by two barrels, 260 parts, 37 jewels and is a mere 6.60 mm thick.

The watch will be limited to 100 peices to be made over several years to give JLC's watchmakers the time needed to build them and recover from the hysterical blindness this watch will no doubt cause. And then fortunately and compassionately, the watch will put to rest. Unless it gets buried in the Pet Cemetary.

Please visit Timezone and read Mike Dishers post about the Master Eight Days Perpetual SQ:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=2702719&rid=0

There's Doins'a'Transpirin'

I thought I'd elucidate on what my intentions are with this here blog. Each week I hope to present a set of features and a set content. My hope is that the What Does Your Watch Say? blog will become a comfortable, familiar place for all of us. Like a McDonald's--no good for ya, but ya know what you're gettin' 8^)

Each week, or semi-weekly, I plan to present several topics:

Grande Complication

As we all know, a complication is any function other than the indication of hours, minutes and seconds, no matter if the mechanism is hand-wound or self-winding and irregardless of movement height. However, we also know that many in the watch field can be quite complicated themselves.

So, each week I hope to present an interview with an individual from the watch biz, so that both you the reader and I can get to know these people better and hopefully learn something new about ourselves as well.

I hope that they will impart not only their experience and knowledge, but their advice and history, which may be kept as a record for future watch repairers and makers.

Sécurité de la sonnerie

The "all-or-nothing" piece is a system that prevents an insufficiently wound striking mechanism from striking too few hours. For many watchmakers, entering this field was an all, or nothing endeavor. They will build their own watches completely, no other options will be considered.

I hope to occasionally discuss these individuals, their work, their designs and hopefully, their own words, so that we may all benefit from their courage, ingenuity and drive.

Autonomie

Autonomy is the duration which a timepiece can function between windings. This blog has a small autonomy. It can not go for long without input from you, the reader. Invariably, I will present an email, or comment from a reader that I feel presented a salient point, idea, or suggestion to help improve this blog and make it more enjoyable for all of us.

Seconde Morte

Anyone familiar with Breguet, will be familiar with the idea of a "dead second" or , "seconde d’un coup", where the second hand jumps forward after each elapsed second has passed.

This section will be reserved for those watches that catch my fancy, pique my curiosity, or are so breathtakingly beautiful, time seems to stop for an instant while we admire them.

Watches will come from my own collection and from the collections of this blog's readers. I look forward to this being one of the more eclectic portions of the What Does your Watch Say?, which will match the eclectic tastes of myself and my readers.

Cabinotier

Each week I will present a photo of a watch and invite you the readers to rebuild, remake and redesign that watch in any way you see fit. Each week one entry will be selected by a panel of one and the winner will receive the satisfaction of a job well done and my undying respect. (Paul Raposo's undying respect void where prohibited.)

Butterface Of The Week

Each week I'll present and review a watch that, for all it's outside and internal beauty, the dial configuration leaves something to be desired. Although not meant as a slight towards the maker, designer, or manufacturer, it will be a light hearted look at watches with faces only a collector could love.

Cuvette

Usually a second cover inside a hunter case, which protects the movement from dust and damage. But every so often, I will open les cuvettes of a particular book and review it for my readers. These books will be about repair, biographies, watch magazines and even catalogs and advertisements. Since collecting watch paper has been a hobby of mine for a couple of decades, this is something I look forward to sharing with you periodically.

***

Along with these specialty posts, I will provide a daily, or semi-daily post regarding my studies of the Chicago School of Watchmaking corrspondence course. As well, I will discuss my attempts with the repairing of movements and discuss what I have learned that day.

I hope that as I learn and grow as a watch repairer/maker, that you will not only share your own knowledge, but learn along with me. The only way we can learn to walk, is to first learn how to fall. All my mistakes, success, discoveries and epiphanies will be presented here for all of us to share and learn from.

The comments section is now open and will not be moderated. However, I will remove vulgar, bigoted, homophobic, sexist, or down right stupid comments. And not only will the commentator be banned, but I will drop a house on them. And not a small house either; a McMansion! So let's leave it cleaner than we found it and play safe.

And always remember: