Steinhart Aviator

The Steinhart Aviator is a large, German, Swiss-made beast of a watch. The SAWLE however, is slightly more exclusive, designed by the denizens of the Watch Lounge - a German horological forum - and limited to 333 pieces.

It began as a mockup on the almost entirely German-speaking forum back in July 2008 (see right for Steinhart's original drawing), and ended up in North London in June 2009.

At 44mm by 44mm it's rather larger that I'd normally wear, but the resemblance to an aviation instrument was interesting, and it's very reasonably priced for such an edition (did I mention it's fuelled by a Swiss-made Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement?).

The attention to detail is surprising - it comes in a lovely antique-effect leather watch roll, with a spare strap and tools.

There even appear to be a few left!

More pics here.

Crustacea horologica

Crustacea horologica, or the clock-like crustacean, may well be the latin name for this Tissot Navigator from the 1970s. Powered by a Lemania 1341 automatic movement, this piece of seventies stainless steel ephemera grasps the wrist like a metal lobster.

The 1341 was (or rather is) a slightly simplified calibre 1340, having fewer jewels (17 to the 1340's 21) and no 24 hr register. This may be the same movement that Omega used (as the cal. 1040), but it doesn't seem to get the love that it's fellow Lemania movements seem to inspire (i.e. the 5100).

That's a shame, as it still maintains its charm, and even has the classic sweeping "airplane" hand, just like the 5100s.

This one is relatively rare, as relatively few lobster bracelets appear to have survived the 70s. You can see why, and it's certainly an acquired taste. The dial, hands, movement and bracelet are all signed and original, although I had to ask my watchmaker to undertake some crustacea wrangling to get the best out of two examples.

There are a few more photos after the jump, and a lot more at the usual address.

There's snow time like the present...

Snow hits London. London grinds to a halt. Hopefully tho, Heathrow T5 will be fully up and running on Wednesday, as that's the day I'm off to Calgary for ten days, knee-deep in the white stuff. Fernie is a relatively small resort in BC, but home to some of the best powder in Canada. When it snows... hey ho.

In preparation, I've got myself a new jacket from Faiise (pronounced phase, for the uninitiated). The Bill is a 3-1, with zip-out inner, made from recycled materials. The company is British (run by Sam and Chris Bevan) and based in East Grinstead. Their kit is all online - at www.faiise.com - and I'll post a full review as soon as the jacket arrives on Tuesday...

William Plumtre

William Plumptre attended Chelsea College of Art and then spent two years in Japan, including one year in the studio of Tatsuzo Shimaoka (a Living National Treasure in Japan) who was in turn a pupil of Shoji Hamada.
The influence of both is evident in his work, especially his beautiful square pots and plates. I was lucky enough yesterday to be walking past Euan Mundy Fine Art, in Glasgow, where Plumptre is currently exhibiting, and popped in for a look. Unsurprisingly, I didn't walk out empty handed (see picture)...

Categories: Art

Early Christmas pressie...?

With gently rounded sides rising to a slightly incurved rim, resting on a short straight foot, applied overall with a very glossy bubble-suffused glaze of a pale-blue tone, the interior with two splashes transmuting from a vivid lavender colour to a deeper purplish-blue, the exterior with two splashes of similar brilliance, the glaze draining from the mouthrim to a deep mushroom-brown tone and falling just short of the neatly cut footring to reveal the buff body burnt chocolate...

Doesn't sound like much, does it? However, the description (and picture) is of a Jun bubble bowl, currently in the Sotheby's Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art auction next week. And it's valued at a slightly eye-watering £250-300,000...

These bowls aim to create the perfect illusion of a soap bubble - hence the name. It's Northern Song (960- 1127AD) and I'd like it for christmas. Please.

Categories: Art, Life, Priceless

New lensware...

While my Canon 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM (and the slightly longer 70-300mm) lenses have served me well over the past few months, I was beginning to get a little frustrated by the lack of depth of field control, which has been hampering my creative instincts.
I have therefore ordered a new lens (after much research and discussion) - my first prime - the Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM. I'm hoping it will allow me not only to take more macro pictures (the 17-85mm is limited to about 0.2x) but will also allow me to experiment with portraiture.
It's almost too late to visit the Angus McBean: Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery for some ideas (it ends on 22 October). I might just make it next weekend - or even Friday night (the Gallery is open until 9pm).

Categories: Art, Gear

Miyoko Onishi ceramic sculpture

Also at Ceramics in the City, and at the Origin Craft Fair(week one) at Somerset House, was Miyoko Onishi. Her hanging sculptures were one of the high points of the Ceramics in the City fair, but her small vases, bowls and plates were also on display. Looking like a flock of birds, or perhaps a cloud of petals, they hang, suspended in long streams (see picture).
My wife gave me one of the hanging pieces for my birthday, but I couldn't resist a small, almost matt black vase, to add to my ever-expanding collection of Japanese ceramacists working in London (see also Akiko Hirai and Mizuyo Yamashita).
All I need now is a little more space to display it all...

Categories: Art, Life, Style

Ceramics in the City

It was Ceramics in the City a few weeks ago, at the Geffrye Museum, London's annual ceramics fair and part of the Design London festivities. As usual, the event fell on / around my borthday, and (as usual) I couldn't resist adding to my collection.
First up was another piece by Helen Rondell. I think I may have been a victim of some subliminal advertising. Not only is the piece the same as (or very similar to) the one on her flyer for the event (pictured), but it was also exhibited right next to a piece that's very similar to a previous purchase. Helen was also selling some new bits of jewelry - small raku pendants - which are beautiful. If only she could make even smaller bits and turn them into cufflinks...
I also bought two kissing vases from Akiko Hirai, who was also exhibiting some fantastic tea pots.

Categories: Design, Life, Style