WorldTempus Rant #2 - Is New Better?
After this year's Baselworld show, where I had over 100 meetings and saw an estimated 1,500 new watches, the one thing I have to ask is: Is our focus on "new" a curse?
I'm as guilty as anyone, I have to admit. When I walk into a booth and sit down with the brand people, one of the first things I ask is, "What's new?"
After all, as a journalist, news is really about change, and everyone wants to know what the latest thing happening is.
But, at the same time, there are so many great watches already on the market, it seems a pity that the watches introduced over the past few years are eclipsed by what is introduced this year.
For example, the Tank by Cartier is one of the most iconic watches ever produced. This year, the Tank Anglaise was introduced, so all the other great Tanks, like the Americaine and even the original Tank, were overshadowed.
I know that this is the way it has to be, but I don't want to forget the great watches of last year, or even five years ago. Just because the new De Bethune DB25 Imperial Fountain came out this year, does this mean that we should forget the fantastic watches they have introduced over the years?
Should we have this much newness? Do we need it?
The answer is probably not, but we all just love it, don't we? We love the crazy new watches, and even a change in the color of a dial or a new bezel can make such a difference, renewing an old favorite.
Gone are the days when a company could expect to live off a watch collection for several years, although there are nonetheless some brands that have in fact been making and selling the same iconic products for decades.
Blancpain's 50 Fathoms is 60 this year and still diving deep, Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak more than 40 years ago and it is still a key part of its range, TAG Heuer's Carrera is 50 years old this year and still going b and the Rolex Submariner is 59 years young.
Sure, we all want to read about what's new, but I think we should spend more time celebrating all the great watches these companies already have.
By the way, did you see the new Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement shown at Basel? Incredible!
Oops...I did it again.