| WATCH YOUR TIME
17
EDITORIAL
© LUC BRAQUET
É D I T O
atchmaking echoes the world of automo-
biles in many ways; through its universe,
its spirit, its performance, its vehicles and
engines and across all eras. This issue follows in the
tracks of watchmakers involved in racing or working
alongside drivers, of those who draw inspiration from
cars to create timepieces, and above all, of those who
continue to uphold the art of mechanics. Fine automo-
tive engineering, among the foremost muses for fine
horological mechanisms, serves as our compass.
Today’s horological mechanics inspire cross-gen-
erational passion and foster communities of collectors
and enthusiasts ever eager to share their discoveries.
Watchmakers often speak to them directly, offering lim-
ited editions, one-off pieces, and reinterpretations of
now-legendary models. And women are no longer an
afterthought – not only do many freely opt for watches
traditionally deemed masculine, but they now enjoy
an increasingly diverse selection of female-centric
watches, particularly when it comes to complications:
it’s no coincidence that the annual Grand Prix d’Horl-
ogerie de Genève (GPHG) has had a dedicated “Ladies’
Complication” category for over a decade.
On the sportier side, chronographs naturally lead the
charge. With the ability to measure short intervals, just
like the timing instruments used in racing, they thrive
in arenas where performance is key, most notably in the
world of motorsport. In this edition, Noel Capri hits the
road, captured through the lenses of talented photogra-
phers Luc Braquet and Romin Favre, creating a narrative
thread that highlights how watchmakers maintain ties
with the automotive world, not least within Formula 1,
celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
But above all, what we’re celebrating here is hor-
ological mechanics as an art form — an art that has
flourished ever since timekeeping stepped beyond the
bounds of necessity and utility. At the high end, watch-
making is indeed an art, the 12th, if you will, in tribute
to the 12 hours traditionally displayed on a watch dial.
Fittingly, “Craftsmanship of mechanical watchmaking
and art mechanics” has been inscribed on UNESCO’s
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
of Humanity since 16 December 2020.
As an art form, horological mechanics is stepping into
the spotlight more and more often, showcased through
increasingly creative stagings. More than ever, it seeks
to captivate and stir passions, an enthusiasm that will
now have a global stage every October the 10th: in ref-
erence to the customary 10:10 display on watch dials,
this date is now officially recognised as International
Watchmaking Day. ■
Editorial by Marie Le Berre
E D I T O R I A L
Mechanically Yours