Watches I Have Come Across - Hermès Arceau Le Temps Voyageur

Throughout my watch collecting journey, I have been blessed to have come across many timepieces and I intend to document them in a photo essay but for this piece, I'll elaborate a little more since I am also in the position to get one. Although mine has not come, I was fortunate enough to see, feel, touch and photograph this one. This time, I feature the Hermès Arceau Le temps voyageur

This timepiece belongs to a good friend and I'm still waiting for mine. I was told Singapore has not gotten a piece yet so I have to patiently wait for mine.

The Arceau Le temps voyageur comes in two sizes - 41mm platinum with black DLC titanium bezel or 38mm in stainless steel with a blue dial.

No prize for guessing which version I chose...

The dial sides shows a multi toned blue dial.

The darkest shade of blue is reserved for the main time telling dial (above).

The main dial picturing the continents and oceans have a slight purplish blue hue.

And if you are wondering what "24 FBG" stands for? Well that refers to Hermès 24 FBG Paris named in reference to 24 Rue Faubourg, the address of Hermès' flagship store in Paris.

And the outer ring featuring the "Home Time" window has a bluish grey shade. Hands are rhodium-plated with applied Super-LumiNova

A pretty package and especially for a two time zone timepiece. The mobile main time telling dial moves round the dial (clockwise) when you depress the push button on the 9 o'clock and the red tip indicates the timezone it is indicating.

The automatic movement with the travel time module is the same for both models - the Hermès caliber H1837 and it comes with 40 hours power reserve.

The strap comes with a quick release but what is more intriguing are the lugs.

The lugs are asymmetrical...

Again, Hermès surprises with the Arceau Le Temps Voyageur having previously released The Hermès Arceau L’Heure De La Lune, one that I love but missed out on.

So I wait patiently for mine to come. In the meantime, I can only admire the pictures of the piece that belongs to my friend.

Between the two, would you prefer the larger 41mm platinum with black DLC titanium bezel or 38mm in stainless steel? Check out both at this Hermès website.

Montblanc Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Sincere SHH Edition

Montblanc is not as well known as a watchmaker as they are writing instruments but with Minerva, that's a totally different story. The latest release is the Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Sincere SHH Limited Edition.

Most watch collectors are familiar with the Minerva manufacture which was acquired by the Richemont group and then integrated into the Montblanc brand. Located in Villeret, Switzerland the brand has been in existence since 1858. Hence you see the Villeret 1858 range in the Montblanc stable including many complications like monopusher chronograph, zero reset seconds just to name a few. For more information on Minerva, here's a nice write up by Time and Watches.

What the folks at Minerva are known for are the monopushers and this is no different. With traditional two push button chronograph, one button is to activate start/stop function and the other to reset the chrono seconds hand back to zero. But with the monopusher, the start, stop and reset are all using one pusher.

This is the first time I am coming across a Lime Gold case and it is very attractive. Almost like very faint bronze, I suppose the gold will not tarnish like the bronze case will. The case measures 43mm and comes with different finishes. The transparent sub-dials truly showcase the "skeletonised" front.

This release made specially for Sincere Haute Horlogerie comes in two colours - yellow and grey.

Limited to 8 pieces per variant, this chronograph features the MB16.26 movement which the folks at Montblanc turned upside down. So for those who always want to show off their movement on the wrist, you got your wish!

And because they turned the movement side up, they closed the case back - but the case back is no less impressive. The engraved case back shows the Minerva manufacture in Villeret.

A tiny detail that impressed me was the use of the quick release with the catch bearing the Montblanc logo (see above). Impressive huh? Now for the movement details...

The manual winding column wheel (hidden underneath the 12) chronograph movement provides about 50 hours of power reserve.

Clearly visible is also the signature Minerva Arrow aka the Devil's Tail.

The finishing is what one would expect from a a top manufacture.

Turning the movement upside down gives the owner countless hours of pleasure, viewing the movement on the dial side and enjoying all the details.

It's a lovely Monopusher chronograph with heritage to go with it. Minerva has always been known to make functional and aesthetically beautiful manual winding movements and the MB 16.26 showcases that.

For more information on the timepiece, contact Sincere Fine Watches. One more look at the Chronograph

So, what's your preference? Grey or Yellow?

Watches I Have Come Across - Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde

Throughout my watch collecting journey, I have been blessed to have come across many timepieces and I intend to document them in this photo essay. These are timepieces I don't own but have been fortunate to be able to see, feel, touch and photograph them. I'll start with the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde enamel.

The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde with a two part enamel dial.

The two part, two toned enamel dial were the signature of Jaquet Droz. Grand Feu Enamel of course.

Encased in white gold case with heated blued hands, this is one beautiful timepiece.

Comes with an automatic movement.

They are as good as it gets with Grand Feu Enamel dials. Gorgeous!

Havid Nagan - The Arka Blue NH00 Founder's Edition

Aren Bazerkanian started Havid Nagan timepieces and the NH00 is the first to be released. First announced in February 2022, the watch was only released in early 2023 after some delays due to supply chain issues.

This is the first timepiece from the brand and it is called the Founder's Edition.

The HN00 came in three dial variations - Blue, Jade (Green) and Plum (Purple). As I understand it, the Arka Blue will be a one time release (limited to 100 pieces) and the blue dial will not be released again.

Encased in Grade-5 Titanium, the 40.7mm timepiece fits well on my smallish wrist as the case back is curved.

What impresses me is the dial finishing...

The hand guilloché dial is finished in lacquer giving that shine (and reflection).

And very well finished too - take a look at those 12 o'clock markers!

While the design came from Aren in Los Angeles, the timepiece is Swiss Made.

The case is quite tall at almost 12mm.

But the curved design makes the timepiece a joy to wear. Fits nicely on my wrist.

The ASE200 movement is made by Schwartz Etienne featuring a micro-rotor.

The micro-rotor had a bi-directional winding mechanism and provides about 86 hours of power reserve.

Pretty impressive movement and finish for a timepiece at that value

And that light blue strap... what a perfect match!

What comes after the HN00? Well, Havid Nagan is already working on something new. Stay tuned for more interesting thing to come from the brand.