Omega Seamaster Fashion
This Moda-Horlogerie style Omega Seamaster painting was commissioned by Nick.
Nick wished to be identified only by his first name. This is what he had to say about his Omega Seamaster.
'My first foray into horology began when I was given a high-end Hublot counterfeit timepiece as a gift in college (gasp) and was told that even discerning individuals would not be able to tell the difference.
As a curious person, this immediately caused me to wonder 'well, then what is the difference?'
This led to me various watch blogs and over time I came to appreciate what an art-form horology is and that in reality, any discerning person would immediately be able to tell the difference between a counterfeit and a legitimate timepiece if, save other tells, they were to look at the movement.
I became fascinated with watch movements as I began to view horology as one of the last bastions of hand-crafted machinery that practically speaking, cannot be bested by fully automated production lines, nor should it be.
As I continued to develop an appreciation for high-end watch movements I came across the Omega 8500 movement, which was built from the ground up around George Daniel's co-axial escapement.
I began to fall in love with the intrinsic value of the fully in-house, utilitarian movement that in my mind, was an example of the culmination of hundreds of years of human innovation.
After lusting after this watch for some time but never being able to afford it, I resolved to one day purchase it when I had "made it" in my respective industry. This day came much sooner than I had expected, and I wear the watch to remind myself to set goals, achieve them, and then to continue setting new ones.
The clock keeps ticking, if you will.'
-Nick
Here is a side by side of the Omega Seamaster and the Moda-Horlogerie Perpetual Moon it is modeled after.
The Moda-Horlogerie style paintings are my favorite. There is more artistry in creating a scene and story than simply capturing the architecture of a watch. A watch, in my estimation is meant for its utility and everything else about it is developed to tell a story.
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Boca MMXII
Watch-making or rather watch-painting has become a favorite past-time of mine.
After painting my first 100 watches, which you can see in the 100 Watches Gallery, I just couldn't stop.
There are so many watches, so many companies and so many passionate people that stopping would mean missing an entire community of amazing people.
Boca MMXII is a part of that community.
Alessandro of bocatime.com approached me with two of his watches to recreate. What is particularly special about Boca is the watch straps. These beautiful leather braided straps are hand woven with quality Mexican craftsmanship.
Boca matches Italian design with Mexican craftsmanship to provide a unique watch experience.
Below you will see the Grand Traveler with the bright Tobacco wristband on the left and on the right is the Riviera Black with Black wristband.
Grand Traveler in Beige
Riviera Black
WristPorn: Tissot Visodate
Here's the Wristporn Tissot Visodate.
I've painted a Visodate before and it was an amazing watch to see completed (see it here). Approaching the same watch again was a bit daunting as the previous one was so beautiful. I'll let you do your own comparison.
Follow the process of this Watches Project painting in the images below.
Rolex's of the William Brown Project
The William Brown Project is the work of Matthew Hranek. Here is more on Matthew, pulled from his site matthewhranek.com.
'Photographer and Director Matt Hranek has spent the last 20 years of his life traveling to the corners of the globe on assignment. Photographing and writing about some of the world’s most desirable destinations, Matt’s images capture the people, place, and objects that embody the American spirit. His work has appeared everywhere from editorials in Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveler, Esquire, GQ, Martha Stewart Living, Town and Country, and Travel and Leisure to commercial work for J Crew, LL Bean, Orvis, Sony, Target, and William Sonoma.
Matt created "The William Brown Project" as a visual diary of his photographic sojourns. He says he had the idea to turn his photographs and stories into the widely received blog because "there was so much residual content leftover from every photo shoot that it needed a place to go, so I made one". "The William Brown Project", where he tells of his elusive findings and exotic tastings was the inspiration behind the Esquire Network’s newest series, "Alternate Route", capturing the spontaneous adventure behind every photograph. The six episode first season follows Matt on the road less traveled as his passion and curiosity take him through Maryland, Chicago, Everglades, Charleston, and Montauk. Immersing himself in each society, Matt explores the local vernacular of the food and craft that personify his destinations.'
I had the pleasure of painting two of Matthew's watches. His Rolex GMT and Rolex Submariner.
Hranek- 'These are two beautiful example of 60's rolex sports model and as far as I am concerned the glory days of Rolex. I am proud and lucky to own them.'
Hranek- 'The GMT required endurance. I had a 16750 that I bought , then sold then bought a real shitty 1675 ( I loved the insert - perfect fade). Well my buddy jacek at HQ Milton in SF did me a solid and let me trade it in on a really lovely 1675 GMT that was actually traded in by a good friend of mine (who's GMT I coveted). It took a few moves to get there and well it's mine now and not going anywhere.'
Hranek- 'The Sub was my first Rolex purchase (my dad had left me a datejust). It was the early days of ebay and I had no idea what I was doing the watch was $1800 and the guy i was buying it from didn't trust ME... (early days).
I was very lucky - everything about the watch was perfect the lumes, the patina the pre-tropical (brown) dial. I will die with this watch.'
Tissot Seven Automatic
This Tissot Seven Automatic was submitted by Filippo Soddu. -instagram @filter
Bob's Watches' Gold Rolex
Bob's Watches is the site for pre-owned Rolex watches. I loved the look and character of their Gold Rolex Submariner 1680.
A Little About The Gold Rolex Submariner 1680
- The Model 1680 Gold Submariner is the first to have a reference date window and was manufactured by Rolex for Tiffany Co.
- The 1680 was also the first gold Rolex.
- A golden anchor was produced to go with the watch .
- Vintage submariners have a thicker crystal made of acrylic which is shatterproof. They do scratch easy though.
- Vintage 1680s are difficult to find, making them more valuable and to many, more interesting.
About Paul Altieri
Paul Altieri is the owner and CEO of Bob’s Watches. Paul is an avid Rolex expert and enthusiast. Over the years he has collected a myriad of rare, vintage Rolex watches, each one having its own unique and interesting story to tell.
About Bob’s Watches
Bob’s Watches was founded by Paul Altieri who is the mastermind behind the World’s First and only Pre-Owned Rolex Exchange. The Rolex Exchange allows consumers to buy, sell, and trade second hand Rolex timepieces at fair market prices. The website openly publishes current buy and sell values for each model of Rolex. Every watch on Bob’s Watches is in stock ready to be shipped to your front door via overnight shipping.
Watch 100! Meisturwerk Machinen
This Meisturwerk Machinen Man of War watch was submitted by Meisturwerk Machinen. (instagram user @meisturwerk_machinen)
Today marks the final painting in the 100 Watches in 100 Days for $100 each. The journey has been long and filled with hard work. You all who have participated and supported the project are to thank for making it possible.
What's next? The Book is next!
Along with other peripheral projects that are a direct result of the 100 Watches Project the book will be continuing the work we have embarked on to share our watches and the stories that surround them.
Today, Meisturwerk Machinen helps us to signal the end of one stage and the transition to the next. We will be reviewing how the project has grown and identifying significant aspects that have emerged with the project.
This is not the end...
Watch 99 Rolex
This Rolex Sporting Prince Travel Watch watch was submitted by Gene Stone. Author of 'The Watch', -the definitive book on the wristwatch.
'The Rolex Sporting Prince Travel Watch, is the holy grail of travel watches, the one that no collection can be complete without. It took me years to find it, and it’s beautiful. It’s the photo on my Facebook page as well. The Prince was introduced to the market in 1928, and was sold primarily as a wristwatch. Only a small number of these travel watches were ever made.'
Watch 98 Invicta
This Invicta Sub Aqua Noma III watch was submitted by Angel Jimenez. -(instagram user @mrsinista13).
Watch 97 Original Penguin
This Pebble Beach Pimp Le Gold Digital Watch watch was submitted by Robert Twitty. -instagram user @maxtwitty, @gentsamongmen
'This watch was inspired by James Bond’s first digital watch, featured in the opening scene of Live and Let Die.'
After four+ years of having this watch I still cannot stop looking at it. I think it was worth paying a small price to a lot of attention. At least that's what the watch says.'