Staff

LETTERS TO THE EDITOREnjoys ReadingDear Editor,I’ve received the last issue of hr:WATCHES in the mail this morning.Thank you! And as usual, it’s excellent.Well done!David F.South AfricaDear David,Thank you for your note. We are happyto hear that you received the new issueand are enjoying it.A Ranking InquiryDear Editor,Do you provide rankings of fine watches?And views as to the relative precision/accuracy of automatics? If not, wheremight you direct me? I am particularlyinterested in anything you’ve done thatincludes views on Hublot automatics.Peter K.Dear Peter,We don’t really ‘rank’ fine watches, althoughwe provide price points and relativeimpressions from our experts onwhat aspects of them make them worthcollecting. As far as automatics go, there isno difference from a manual wound watchas far as precision goes, provided you wearthe automatic watch regularly. If you havea collection of watches it is advisable tokeep them wound. You may want to considerpurchasing a good watch winder foryour mechanical watches.Hublot is a fine brand for automaticsand its reputation for unconventionaldesign grows with each watch that theindependently owned family companyproduces. We have covered severalHublot watches in previous issues of hr:WATCHES and you will also find someadditional information in this issue.Of Historical InterestDear Editor,Just received my June edition yesterdayand signed up recently for four moreyears!I enjoy reading about the history of abrand. I own several mechanical watches.If you have space in future editions ofyour magazine, I would appreciate addedstories on German mechanical watches.Keep up the great and interesting writing!Frank L.Atlanta, GADear Frank,Mechanical watches and the wonderfuldevelopments among them in Germany,Switzerland and elsewhere arewhat makes hr:WATCHES the magazineto read. Thanks so much for yourinput and we’ll try our best to includemore articles about topics you enjoy.Seeking a Daniel MinkAutomaticDear Editor,In the Feb. 2007 issue (page 51) Isaw a Daniel Mink watch: Collection1900 Men’s Automatic, Reference #1901MB51000. Please let me knowwhere / how I can see additional picturesof this watch and/or a store near San Antonio,TX that sells this watch.Jan F.TexasDear Jan,According to a Daniel Mink official, thewatches are not quite ready for market inAmerica, but will be soon. Call 800-221-6465 to find out more information or reserveone of the first pieces from this newgeneration of the brand’s signature line.Of Pocket Watches andCrystal BallsDear Editor,Can you please try with your experienceto identify this mechanical table watch? Itwas given to me years ago, they told me itis an expensive one. It has a guru’s pictureon the inside of the crystal ball. One (1o’clock ) should be the “Babaji”.Can you tell me if there are more like thisone or is it rather unique? And whateveryou can tell me, including the value.Thank you in advance for your answer, ifyou would be so kind to give it.Rosanna P.Dear Rosanna,There were a lot of after-market manufacturerswho took pocket watch movementsand encased them in crystal ballsas a popular decorative item. Dependingon the manufacturer of the movement,it could have some value but thatwould be the only way to assess it.Good luck!Breitling Wings AutomaticDear Editor,I would like to know why Breitling isnot producing any more of the model“wings automatic?”Yiannis T.Dear Yiannis,According to a spokesperson from Breitling,it’s simply a matter of keepingproducts current. The decision makersin Switzerland must occasionally discontinuesome models to make roomfor new products. Breitling suggesteddoing research online into other modelsby going to www.breitling.com.Good luck in your search and let usknow what else we can help you with!48 – On the Coverdeep historyStraight from the ocean’s floor,Romain Jerome’s Titanic DNA80 Years and Counting 74Tutima Celebrates Rich HistoryMarcello Giordani 76A tenor enjoys watch collectingNOA 89Nicola Andreatta creates new traditionsPaul Audet 92Swiss Time Design’s latest creations54into the deepWatches that pushlimits under the sea27 45 72DepartmentsAlso on the CoverAnna NetrebkoRussian soprano sports a watchand jewelry from Chopard, for whomshe now acts as an ambassadorInvesting 38A Minute With . . . 68Vintage Watches 78Market Place 80Winding Up 964 August 2007 www.hrwatches.comwww.hrwatches.com August 2007 5