Watchismo Times

Vintage Watching - Gettin To The Hajj On Time - 1970s Vintage Muslim Mecca Compass Watches

Published: March 18, 2009 | 14:59

Even though the Islamic pilgrims are walking counterclockwise around the Hajj in Mecca, they can be on time with these very rare vintage Muslim World Time watches of the early seventies. Built with a compass and pointer for Mecca just above the dial and below the crystal, they are powered by Swiss mechanical automatic movements.

See the uncovered stash of this obscure watch collection here-->Muslim Mecca Watches

Brushed Steel Case

Black Steel Mecca Watch

Source: watchismo.blogspot.com

Permalink labels (6)Flag

All compass mecca muslim vintage vintage watching world time

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk Watches

Published: February 26, 2009 | 12:53

In the past, I've written about high end masterpieces like Vianney Halter's Antiqua (starting at $50,000 and up) and the artistic horology concept watches of Haruo Suekichi, but it was only a matter of time before affordable Jules Vernesque timepieces were made for those who want to actually own a high quality Steampunk wristwatch. Yes, the term has worn out its welcome but the look is timeless nevertheless -- and how can a riveted porthole watch not be cool?

The brand is Retrowerk of Germany and below, I photographed their off-the-wall collection wristwatches with elements of brass and steel pistons, portholes, rivets, compasses, revolving jump hour discs, screwcap crown covers, chains, automatic rotor mechanisms, and of course, many cogs and gears. The prices range from $429 to $1098 USD.

The first is the Compass Jump Hour, an extreme multi-leveled timepiece with a partial dial with three discs for hours, minutes and seconds. Protruding up like a periscope is the compass under thick "coke bottle" type glass, almost as if there is a submarine cruising inside your wrist. The automatic winding version utilizes a Swiss ETA 2824 mechanical movement.

Protrusions are a reoccuring theme with Retrowerk - the Piston (above), with namesake piston mechanism-screwcap crown cover and riveted watch case. As I attempt to showcase in my photos far below, each angle of the watch is mechanically sculptural and borders on satisfyingly absurd. Automatic version also features a Swiss ETA 2824 movement.