Oh boy, that sounds like an amazing trip. Palm Springs is just otherworldly. I imagine you guys were up to some crazy Shenanigans but good news is that it obviously didn’t end up like the move I Melt With You.

Agreed in that they aren’t exactly collaborating with others per se, as these developments are done purely in-house to retain their competitive edge. Don’t get caught up in my semantics if you can take a step back.

Think of things like the new GS ever-brilliant steel and titanium alloys that they have developed. If they weren’t always trying to push the boundaries of what’s already been done within the watch industry and metallurgy in general then these new materials would never have seen the light of day. Similarly their new tech in mechanical and spring drive moments, MEMS applications, and I’m sure they also have some slick gem setting capabilities that go beyond all the baguettes you might find distasteful.

It is in this essence that they are in the F1 race against all of the peers and competitors. There are the staunch and well-funded stalwarts, focusing on the highest tech alloys and metals and silicons. At the same time there are the innovators in existing spaces, like the Atelier Wen artisan who uses a customized rose engine lathe and bits to carve out deeper silver dials than even the Swiss are accustomed to doing, at a fraction of the price.

The great competition is infinite. There is no clear winner, and the race will forever continue until the light of humankind is extinguished.

1/10… when you do vintage you’re just surprised when there’s any radiation going on at all

Not a perfect comparison but think of the racing investments as cutting edge R&D. All of the insights and patents are privy to a few; not everything is applicable to regular roadgoing automobiles but eventually there’s some cool tech that makes it down for certain manufacturers. The cumulative test data alone would be worth something as well.

@TheHoroSexual just went to that terminal a couple weeks ago on his way to Geneva. Seriously an amazing time capsule of midcentury design. The pains they went through to restore it to its glory—really impressive. If only we as a species could give that much reverence all around to the areas and space we inhabit.

I can still taste the ghostly echoes of many chicken-apple sausages of yore. 🤤

Glad you recognize that, Bill. Not many worn watches from the other major marques look so great after all these years to be brutally honest. The longevity and robustness of the old Rolex movements are seriously impressive. Plus I can still get this fully serviced like without any hitches in the parts supply arena.

People discount too much based on irrational beliefs, hearsay, and general haterade. Which really sucks because there’s a lot of gems to be found everywhere you look.