The worlds most unusual watches
The worlds most unusual watches
Convertible watches have the ability to transform themselves.
For instance by changing their appearance using mechanisms such as an aperture like the Valbray V.01 or switching functions, going from a wristwatch to pocket watch for example.
Some convertible timepieces such as the Tag Heuer 69 (pictured) have the ability to switch from analogue to digital displays.
These type of watches aren’t actually new, Gruen in 1910 made a convertible pocket watch aimed at women which came with a bracelet to transform it into a wristwatch.
Earlier, in the 19th century soldiers started modifying their pocket watches so that they could be worn on their wrists by fitting them with makeshift cupped leather holders converting them from pocket watches into wristwatches.
The Anura Rafael Write Time is the worlds first mechanical watch pen. Combining a tourbillon watch and fountain pen into one, the Anura Rafael Write Time is a unique convertible objet d’art that transforms from watch to pen and vice versa. Its made up of what the brand refers to as a “capsule” which to use…
Swiss watch brand Revelation presents new model Revelation R04 Tourbillon featuring the Magical Watch Dial. Living up to their name since their emergence in 2007 Revelation are known for their watches with a novel mechanism: by rotating the watch’s bezel the caliber beneath is revealed thanks to the use of the patented dial using…
Valbray are a fairly new brand launched in 2009. The unique aspect to their watches is the use of a diaphragm or aperture to hide and reveal the watch face. The aperture consists of 16 blades and does not require lubrication due to the use of ceramic bearings. Its opened and closed manually by…
If you like the idea of being able to choose whether to wear your timepiece as a wristwatch or a pocket watch then the Oakley Full Metal Jacket could be for you, assuming you like the typically robust Oakley styling. Part of the “High-end Elite” line of watches the FM Jacket is made from…
Designer Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche created the first compass watch in 1978 and the P’6520 Compass Watch is a modified re-issue of that one, its been updated for the 21st Century by increasing the diameter to 42mm and this new version also now sports a titanium case. The watch is limited to 911 pieces.…
This year is the 80th anniversary of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, a watch able to rotate 180 degrees within its case and devised in order to protect the watch face. With that in mind, an article on this iconic reversible watch seemed in order. Sporting beginnings The Reverso was released in 1931, and its idea…
Are you the subject of unprovoked, horological inspired bullying? Does your timepiece make you feel inferior? Well relief may be at hand, or rather wrist – in the shape of the Korloff Voyageur Kalahari, a watch that bristles with no less 5 Swiss ETA movements powering it. A watch abundantly endowed. Never look back…
Voltaire, a French Enlightenment writer famous for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade was apparently the inspiration behind the Manufacture Royale Opera. Would he have approved? Hard to know. Its quite an extravagance, given the time in which he lived , probably only Louis XV could…
Reconvilier The Hercules Golf Master The Hercules Golf Master is a high end Swiss golf watch that has the capability to measure the exact distance (in meters or yards) from the golf player to the green by using GPS technology. It has a reversible analogue / digital display so that it can be worn…
Parmigiani teamed up with Bugatti to create a watch for their 16C Galibier car and the Parmigiani Bugatti Tourbillon Watch was the result. Its a convertible watch designed to be four timepieces in one. The 16C is a four seat luxury sedan which shares the W16 8.0L engine of the Bugatti Veyron, but with two…
S.T.A.M.P.S. watches took the idea of the postage stamp and based a watch design on it. Like the real thing they have adhesive backs and come in huge array of designs, with interchangeables straps and faces. They come in a 42mm by 42mm (non water-resistant) perforated case. “Stick it on anything, anywhere you like.…
Watchmakers have created designs featuring apertures – a shutter mechanism featuring blades – since the 1950’s. You will remember having seen this type of mechanism at the start of James Bond movies. Valbray use it as a double display mechanism to hide and reveal the watches dial, with a turn of the bezel it…
To mark the 150th anniversary of Chopard, the classic Swiss watch company, only 150 of these stylish watches were made. Its an ingenious combination Pocket watch and wristwatch using a unique cradle system for attaching the pocket watch. In 1912 Karl Scheufele invented special watch lugs that enabled a pocket watch to be attached…
To mark their 80th anniversary Pininfarina teamed up with Bovet to create the Ottanta Tourbillon watch. A very versatile timepiece it has the unique ability to be transformed into both a pocket watch and miniature table clock through the use of a convertible case which allows the owner to switch styles without use of…
The first thing that’s very noticeable about the Halda is that its a unique space watch in that it has interchangeable “Time Modules“. The watch is covertible depending on the environment, whether its terrestrial or not. Each module being created for optimum performance in its environment. One mechanical “Earth” module and one electronic “Space”…