you are trapped in here with us
My uncle owns a civil engineering firm. He's an awesome guy and my dad visits him regularly. I don't visit him regularly, which is a bit of a problem. He is one of those men that in a perfect world every young man should have access to. He is full of jest and doesn't take… Continue reading Lessons from an engineer and bladesmith to a hobbyist watchmaker
… that didn’t grow up into a swan. Look at it. Sometimes you want it to work, but it’s not quite there. Even your favourite brands get it wrong. So this is an A258. I know very little about the A258 as a model (and the internet even less). This one is from around 1954/1955,… Continue reading There once was an ugly duckling…
I've long talked about this watch, everything from its exact date of purchase to its sentimental value. The whole story is split up in so many different posts and comments that it's probably not the easiest thing to piece together. Nobody asked for this, but here we go... December 31st was slightly overcast if I… Continue reading The Full Story of My Camy Club-Star
I just came back from the postcard-esque southern coast of South Africa. I would have been back earlier if the caravan's right wheel didn't decide to launch itself into some farmer's field. Eagle-eyed readers may have spotted that the wheel and hub are no longer where they should be. The whole side skirt is ruined.… Continue reading Antiques hunting: George and Mossel Bay
I found myself in a deep state of thought when wearing my Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Spider recently. The Antarctic Spider is without a doubt a watch with some serious history. The triangulation/spider dial wasn't on the first watch to go down into the Antarctic, but it is one of the rarer configurations of an already… Continue reading Am I good enough to carry the torch?
I know I have a type (30mm 1940s sub-second 15J mechanical Swiss jobber), but that wasn't always the case. For a long period of time around 10-12 years ago I was obsessed with vintage "divers and drivers" as I used to call them. I had a mad Orient phase, I bought a rare Scuba Amfibia… Continue reading Talismanic
This ongoing investigation was born out of my procrastination. It's exam season and it's one of those seasons that comes with fists and arms. Naturally, my mind saw this as an opportunity to catch up on all sorts of things, chief among which was the origin of my Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Spider. Now one may… Continue reading The Paper Trail
It's about that time of year. Mariah Carey is about to get a massive paycheck from all the royalties and my ears are already preparing to bleed. 'Tis the season for giving... which is something I don't feel that we need a season for. Giving should happen perpetually and at any given time. This is… Continue reading A second chance at life
The bug of mechanical watches has likely bitten everyone reading this, but I'll say what I have to say anyways. I am a hopeless romantic. I have tried doing many things the old-fashioned way, which is nine times out of ten harder, more expensive, requires more effort, or a combination of these. I have largely… Continue reading A word of warning
I’m tired… another week, another round of tepid “hot” takes. Tudor is a homage of Rolex? Fuuuuuuck where to begin… I mean how can the sister company of one homage the other, and anyway, look at the history. Anyway, that’s not why we are here. I found myself in yet another rant, this time defending… Continue reading Practice what you preach
The Escapement Room 