I challenge anyone to stare into the open case-back of a mechanical watch and not find themselves remaining still as the micro-temple of wheels, pinions and jewels seems to slow the next seconds and stop the world around them. This is the beauty of watchmaking and this is why, as we move forward in technology there will be more and more of an imperative to spread watchmaking culture to the young generations. I am lucky enough to work as the Sales & Marketing manager of The Millennium Watch Book, a beautiful collection of volumes that are the equivalent of mechanical art but in paper format. It is quite simple really: take the dreams inspired by watchmaking passion and combine this with the meditative medium of a beautiful publication and you get the perfect blissful experience: The Millennium Watch Book.
Something that I have often realized is that on the surface, horology seems very black or white at first. Take any product and someone can very quickly decide if it is for them or not. Either you can picture yourself wearing it, or not. With information like you find in our book collection, I have come to recognize that the beauty of the objects comes not only from the objects themselves, but from the people that have crafted them, the people that wore them, as well as from the stories that they have created throughout the generations. Storytelling is at the core of the industry and although videos and podcasts have their rightful place in our bustling daily lives, there is something truly magical about taking the time to read beautifully crafted words printed on quality paper. The words stay with us for longer as our minds process the information optimally, operating efficiently due to the soothing effect a book procures.
The latest volume in the series
For the imminent launch of the fourth addition to our The Millennium Watch Book collection, dedicated to chronographs, a short retrospective is in order. Crafted by Brice Lechevalier, our editorial director, with the help of our wonderful Sophie Furley and Suzanne Wong along with multiple other contributors in the GMT ecosystem, this ten-year collection was born from the idea of summing up everything you need to know about watches since the year 2000. Modern, relevant, fun-to read and extremely didactic, these beautiful, limited-edition collector’s works are a must-have for any watch lover. After previous iterations covering tourbillons and diving watches, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the TAG Heuer Carrera and with it, the year of the chronograph.
What other complication has moved mountains during this millennium like the chronograph? The depth, breadth, innovation and variety of this iconic complication is truly unique and deserves to be shared. Two hundred pages in XXL format, 50 iconic models, 20 of the most expensive chronographs, 15 chapters, 12 months of work, over 500 photos, more than 50 brands… the list could go on. Truthfully, with a project like this one, it is not about numbers but about something much more precious: passion.
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes, it has been eye-opening to experience how complex, thoughtful and inspiring the creative process truly is. Rest assured, there is not one page in this book that has not been infused with the love we share for our industry. Just as the watchmakers craft their mechanical movements with emotion, our contributors craft their words with the same attention. Precision, perfection, and absolute mastery are values cherished by all of our contributors.
To sign off, I want to urge the watch industry to break down the barriers for younger generations like us. The industry has to use tradition as a device to appeal to youth. Sustainability, transparent pricing, customization, collaborations… My hope is that tools such as The Millennium Watch Book will inspire more to use their voice to keep shifting our industry. And to the up-and-coming generation, wear your watches, appreciate the stories, meet the people and always keep learning. You will not regret it!
As a WorldTempus reader, we are delighted to offer you the digital version of the 85th issue of the GMT Magazine, that you can download here.
