|
Magnus (Moderator)
|
Sunday 25 May 2008 6:38:59 pm
BLANCPAIN BASEL NEWS 6: Watchmaker Blancpain and pen maker Grayson Tighe join (powerful) forces!
(for optimal viewing, I strongly recommend to open each pic in a separate window: right-click, and then select the respective option)
Dear All:
promised since quite a time, I only now found time to process the images and prepare the text on a surprisingly well working collaboration between one of the oldest watch manufacturers with one of the youngest pen makers in the world, the Canadian Grayson Tighe. The junctions are the commitment to highest finishing standards appreciated by the aficionados of both crafts, and decorative elements which could adorn both, watches and pens.
Grayson Tighe is a 26 year old master pen designer and started designing and creating functional art pieces, under the direct tutelage of his father, renowned knife designer/maker Brian Tighe, in 2000, at the age of just 18. Ever since then, the accolades and awards this young artist received are legion. His work has even reached the big screen, in movie 'The Da Vinci Code', where a Tighe pen was used as a prop to convey the status of the independently wealthy Sir Leigh Teabing. Much more can be read on his web-site:
http://www.tighepen.com
Already in spring 2007, Blancpain and Mr Tighe announced their partnership with a selection of convertible (accepting rollerball, fine-line or felt-tip refills) and fountain pens (refilled by cartridge or converter) in continental size, limited to 35 pieces each. These pens, jointly designed by Blancpain and Tighe, fully exhibit Tighe's artistry and his innovative spirit in using materials (like pure titanium, fossil ivory, mokumé-gané, mother-of-pearl, carbon fibre, apple and tiger coral and gibeon meteorite, stainless steel damascus, sterling silver and gold. The watchmaking spirit of Blancpain is clearly visible in this pens, and are implemented with some whit. Just look at the tip of the cap crown, which represents the Blancpain winding crown, the 'Blancpain' engraving on the cap band, the screws which are taken from the new 50 Fathoms strap attachment system, or the small elements resembling moonphase windows on the shaft:
Now, for Basel 2008, the synergistic goes a step further and surprises us admirers with this box:
The Blancpain - Grayson Tighe Set:
The set is limited to 17 pieces and contains a very unique 42mm Le Brassus Ref. 4213 featuring a stunning dial made by Grayson Tighe and a equally masterfully executed manually wound Calibre 13R0 in a special finish. The watch is accompanied by each a Grayson Tighe convertible and a fountain pen, this time in over size.
The Watch:
Let's start with the watch! Case and the base movement are sourced from the Ref. 4213, which was the first watch with the new, exclusive and ground-breaking calibre 13R0. This watch has been introduced in 2006 and clearly belongs to the Le Brassus collection. But now please take a closer look! The dial is quite a refreshing deviation from all we knew from the venerable old house in Le Brassus, as is the movement. What makes it so attractive to my eyes is the well implemented concept of fusing the watch- with the pen-manufacturing arts, combined with the typical Blancpain humour, which I firmly believe directly results from Marc A. Hayek's personal involvement:
It is really rewarding to reserve some time for the dial. The overall effect is achieved by a blend of different finishes, etching and formal contrast (soft vs. sharp contours). Note that the power reserve indicator sports 8 'blades', one for each day of reserve!
The movement is directly derived from the milestone Cal. 13R0. Thus, it is well equipped with 8 days of power reserve, smoothly transmitted to the freesprung balance by three consecutive barrels, large jewels, the double countersinks as well as the instantaneously switching date mechanism.
Finish-wise, a subtle circular graining is applied on the main bridge, which also come in a anthracite colour. It contrasts strikingly with the metal-colour of the bridges' anglage. The much debated double countersinks of the jewels are equally blackened, but not plated with gold. Also note the matte appearance of the balance with its four adjustable timing screws. The balance is not made of Glucydur, but a special alloy of titanium grade 5ELL (containing titanium, aluminum and vanadium). The balance, by-the-way, is also the center of the graining pattern:
The Pens:
Although technology has pretty much put pen, fountain pens particularly, into obsolescence, there is a vivid collector's scene for such handcrafted pieces. Why? Grayson Tighe explains it in his own words: "A fountain pen, akin to a mechanical watch is a timeless device that is now used less frequently and recently challenged by technology for practicality. Modern writing instruments like ball-points and roller balls have gained in popularity similar to that of quartz watch movements. Still Mechanical watch movements with complications and fountain pens with tuned nibs will always stand alone for those connoisseurs of high-end objects."
For the sake of this article, which is published on a forum for finest mechanical watches, I will thus focus on the fountain pen. The details are true for the convertible pen as well, save for the nib.
The Blancpain-Tighe pen for this edition has a manually tuned nib made of 18kt gold:
The overall execution of the pen particularly emphasises the finishing touches of finest watches typical for Blancpain, like:
- guillochage (on the clip);
- perlage (this is impressively hidden, take a close look at the embossed-like patterns on the finger-rest!)
- engraved script (the Blancpain logo like on the Léman cases)
- engraved decorations (just look at the cap: remember the mainplate of the 1735?!)
If I had the (CHF 85.000), I would definitely fall for this set. The integration of this two arts is well done, logical and with substance. A rare achievement in these days of ever brighter 'bling'! One little detail you might love: There are 17 watch & pen sets and 35 individual pens - makes? Right: 1735!
Note: The Blancpain-Tighe watch & pens set is exclusively available at the Blancpain Boutiques:
http://www.blancpain.com/e/retailers/blancpain_boutiques
Cheers for now,
Magnus
Technical Data Ref. 4213-1534-55B:
Case: 18 kt White Gold - Diameter 42 mm - Thickness ??? mm - Water-resistance 100 m - Between horns ??? mm - dial crafted by Grayson Tighe
Movement: Cal. 13R0 - Diameter 30,6 mm - Thickness 4,57 mm - Power Reserve 192 h - Rubies 30 - Components 211 handfinished parts - special anthracite finish
Price: Ref. 4213-1534-55B (CHF 85.000.-).
---
Data Tighe Pens:
Ref. ST003 (fountain pen): 5500 CHF
Ref. ST004 (convertible: ball-point/felt-tip pen): 5000 CHF
|
