I’ve been playing elsewhere with different lighting set-ups and thought I’d share one or two photos after taking some shots using multiple off-camera flash units. It gives some depth to the photos that’s otherwise hard to achieve, and I’m starting to get the hang of it.
Aside from that, it’s a chance to showcase a lovely watch 🙂
I saw a photo of an old pre-moon Ed White today, and it reminded me how much I love the old Speedies. This one (an ST145-022) is a little newer, dating from 1971 and therefore having the usual moon landing references on the caseback. However, it’s still a very beautiful thing and having popped the Omega alligator strap back on it I’m loving it even more.
I made up my mind recently that I was going to reduce the numbers a bit (especially after a bit of a splurge on camera gear) and this week I sold three very nice watches. I decided to console myself by having a browse at some watch porn on the net, though, and inadvertently stumbled across something rather beautiful.
The Glashutte Original Senator Automatic was discontinued a couple of years ago, and is an absolutely gorgeous, very simple (two-handed) classic dress watch; however, at 40mm it has a fantastic wrist presence. It’s powered by one of GO’s best movements ever, the 100 series, and in this particular variant it happens to be the 100-08. Automatic, 32 jewels, 55 hour power reserve, swan neck regulator and the usual impeccable standard of finish in terms of bevelled edges, polishing and sunburst decoration. In the usual GO style, the rotor is skeletonised and has a 21kt gold oscillation weight. The finish on dial, hands and case is also faultless, and to top it off the strap fitting is a touch of genius, wrapping around the case with absolutely perfect proportions.
I wasn’t looking to buy another watch right now, but with the Cartier leaving the stable I was in need of a simple dress watch with no complications whatsoever. I think this fits the bill.
I bought this watch months ago, but have only ever worn it with the spare heat-treated bezel insert that it came with. Until today, that is, when I popped the original bezel and insert on to see what it looks like.
What a difference! I’ll be keeping it like this now, as I think I may just prefer it.
I’d like to say a massive thank you to Blancpain (a wonderful manufacture, who were the most generous of hosts in providing an expenses-paid two day trip to their factory in Switzerland) and Watches of Switzerland in Cardiff (who, through Martin Bond, made it possible). Thank you, also, to Andy Good – Blancpain’s brand director in the UK – for being great company.
The view from the hotel
All 744 movement pieces from the Blancpain 1735
Watchmakers working on the high-end pieces (Tourbillons, Carrousels and Minute Repeaters)
Some tuition on complications
And lunch at the local greasy spoon before heading back
All in all, a wonderful and memorable trip!
I picked up some studio flash heads today, and have been trying a couple of shots to see how they come out. This one was with a softbox and a bit of fill light bounced from an umbrella… not bad, and with some practice I’m sure I can perfect it.
Perpetual Calendar Day!
I’ve been playing with a new flash, coupled with a wireless transmitter to enable me to take it off-camera. I’ve only just started down this route and have plenty to learn, but the first results are encouraging.
Heuer Bund, shot with the camera set to manual (1/60s and f11) and the flash fired remotely on ETTL…
I’ve been neglecting my watches… here’s the most Rolex of Rolex, then.
A history stretching back more than a thousand years, mentioned in the Domesday Book, and famous for the psychiatric hospital that used to occupy much of the Porters Park housing development (so famous, in fact, that “Shenley” became a generic term). Otherwise known as home!
Anyway, I wanted to try out the Olympus so it was just a quick walk in the bitter cold this morning to take some test shots.
I never quite got on with my Canon G11 as a walkaround camera, mainly because I’ve been brought up on traditional viewfinders. Anyway, after giving the matter my usual nanosecond of thought I decided to enter the world of Micro Four Thirds and the Olympus OM-D EM-5 is the result. I’m delighted with it, and it’s first major outing will be the forthcoming trip to Blancpain’s factory in Biel, Switzerland.
It’s very excited about it, too 🙂
I decided recently that – as much as I like the DB10 I ordered for my Autavia GMT – I’d also like something a little more substantial. I’d tried one on with a Stach strap but they’re not cheap and seem like a bit of a palava to order, so I set about looking for something similar but “off the peg” and not too costly. In the end I had a gander at the Crown & Buckle straps from the US, and ordered the one in the photo below together with a couple of others.
I really like the result, and at around £30 per strap delivered I reckon they’re great value if you want the chunky vintage look without paying an arm and a leg to achieve it.
Half Past The Hour 