De Bethune Demonstrates R��sonique High-Frequency Escapement Breakthrough
For the past several years, De Bethune has focused its research efforts on developing super-high-frequency escapements. Currently, most escapements operate at 18,000 to 36,000 vph (2.5 to 5 Hz). In 2006, De Bethune demonstrated an experimental 72,000 vph (10 Hz) silicon escapement. Their latest efforts involve engineers, watchmakers, and a physicist, all working to develop a next-gen escapement powered by non-mechanical forces.As De Bethune explains in its latest press release, taking traditional mechanical escapements beyond 10 Hz is not feasible due to reliability issues arising out of mechanical resistance and basic wear-and-tear problems.To advance the science of mechanical timekeeping, De Bethune is employing some non-traditional forces, namely synchronization between an acoustic resonator and a magnetic escapement rotor, operating in a mechanical watch. De Bethune has dubbed its discovery Horological R��sonique, and it is making its research available to the watchmaking community

Itay Noy Part Time Watch
In a studio in Tel-Aviv, the creative mind of Itay Noy conceives made-to-order timepieces that are sure to catch the eye. His latest offering �C displayed at Baselworld 2015 �C is the Itay Noy Part Time. Available in four color schemes, limited to 24 pieces each, the concept of the Itay Noy Part Time is simple: the dial is divided into two parts, one for the day, one for the night. When the day side is active (from 6am-6pm) the night side sleeps and vice versa. The temporal segments are split by a vertical line, running from 12 to 6 o'clock. At the very bottom of the dial, the series number is engraved and, at the very top, Itay Noy's name decorates the dial in his distinctive personal font.There are two separate designs, each with two color options. I think the most striking of the two is the day and night dial, which has a sun motif on the left and a moon and stars scene on the right. It's certainly unique?how the 'active' portion of the dial is indicated by either the sun or moon co

Christopher Ward C9 Harrison 5-Day Automatic Review
When Christopher Ward announced their SH21 movement, I made my excitement pretty well known. I mean, it's not everyday that a brand announces their first in-house movement…. let alone an affordable on-line only brand… one that has only been around for only 10 years. So, it was a big deal when it happened. Of course, the sheer fact that they made it wasn't the only exciting part, so too were the movements features and the price of the first watches they were going. For a reasonable $2,075, the C Ward released a 5-day automatic chronometer. Specs like that, at that price, in a brand's first movement was more than just a leap forward for the brand, it was a statement to the industry that it could be done.Needless to say, I was very excited recently when a box showed up at my door containing the Christopher Ward C9 Harrison 5-Day Automatic inside, the first of their watches to showcase the SH21 movement. This formal, gentleman's watch keeps true to the styling of the Harrison l

A shot in the dark
Last week, at the Costco in Los Angeles, CA, my grandmother lost her two tone, champagne dial Datejust on jubilee. Her memory has been a bit hazy of late, and she set the time but left it on her lap in the car rather than putting it on. The thought is that she dropped it in the parking lot when she got out. My grandparents can afford to replace it, but here's the kicker: the watch belonged to my grandfather's brother, who passed away from cancer in the early 2000s. Though he won't admit it (he doesn't want to make my grandmother feel any worse), he's devastated at the loss of such a piece.While I know this is a long shot, if anyone happens to have seen it or picked it up, please let me know. I'd post a serial number here, but I've yet to find any papers in their home with it listed. Thanks!

Automatic movements and vibration
This is more of a movement question vs a Rolex specific question. What are some activities where you wouldn't want to wear a watch with an automatic movement?I'm thinking of high vibration situations like riding a motorcycle or pushing a lawn mower. Can you do damage to an automatic movement this way?