Those who know me are well aware that I am mostly preoccupied with poetry, media and history. But not many people know that I am an avid horologophile, you know, a watch enthusiast.

I was always interested in the concept of time. It is not a mystery why I wrote a BA thesis on the film-maker Aleksei Tarkovsky and his concept of so-called ‘time scuplting’, which is especially materialized in his masterpiece The Mirror (1975). Even in my MA thesis I have briefly touched upon this theme. This is also one of the areas I used most of time (pun unintended) when I write poetry, short stories or academic works. I guess, it is a logical thing that I am interested in watches, being small, sophisticated apparatuses trying to keep time. I am mostly interested in automatic watches, since their organic nature appeal mostly to me, but of course all started with a stylish Q&Q watch with blue dial I received by my father twenty five years ago, while we lived in the western Jutland. Since then, I was fascinated with the apparent complexity, machinery and the precision these objects (often) have.

Several days ago I stumbled on an interesting Italian run Kickstarter project called Freeda Vintage Watches. They are inspired by the style of the 1960s and renowned Dolce Vita. The team behind the project wishes to offer a new interpretation of luxury by reviving the concept of “sprezzatura”. According to Wikipedia, Sprezzatura is “an Italian word originating from Baldassare Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier, where it is defined by the author as “a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it”. It is the ability of the courtier to display “an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions which hides the conscious effort that went into them”.

What I really like about these watches, is the model SS36 Gran Turismo with wonderful combination of the green dial and yellow hands. Not to forget quality Italian leather straps. What drew me to this watch is an excellent color contrast, which makes it really easy to read time on this timepiece. Also, there will be used sapphire crystal with anti-scratch coating, which is a much better protection than regular mineral crystal. The movement could have been better (but also much more expensive), but Miyota 8215 is older, proven and reliable workhorse. It is non-hacking, but offers unidirectional hand-winding. Its power-reserve is approximately 42 hours.

I am looking forward to wear this watch, hopefully some time in November 2017. More about this project on their official website and Kickstarter.

SS36GT specifics:

• Size (diameter/thickness): 40 mm / 7 mm
• Case: 316L Stainless Steel, chromed
• Back case: Transparent sapphire crystal with anti-scratch coating
• Movement: Japanese Miyota Automatic Movement 8215
• Date function: Yes @ 3:00 o’clock
• Luminous hands and dial: Yes, photoluminescent lume
• Water resistant: 10 ATM, 100 meters
• Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-scratch finish
• Hands: Hours/minute hand size; 9.00 x 11.00 mm – Second hand size: 13.00 mm
• Crown size: 5.00 mm
• Strap: Genuine Italian leather
• Strap size: 20 mm, best fit for 14 – 22 cm wrist
• Available strap colours: Brown or black textured hole leather
• Buckle: Stainless steel chromed buckle.