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donizetti
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Some suggestions for the further development of the Haldimann product line

As we have just discussed, Haldimann has achieved a remarkable step forward with his H9, challenging not only our primitive desire to "tell" time, in a vulgar and ultimately futile attempt to objectify and linearize it and make it, for lack of a better word, "useful" (that he did with the H8) but also refuting our desire as watch lovers to enjoy observing the complex and well-finished machinery we bought. Like the statue of the deity in the inner sanctum of the temple the tourbillon remains forever hidden to the eyes of the faithful and is seen only by the artist-priest. 

Nevertheless, on reflection, I submit that some residual objections to the H9 remain that prevent it from reaching perfection. Therefore, in what I hope approximates the spirit underlying this impressive creation, I would like to offer some ideas on how to proceed on this path.

H10: One clear problem with the H9 is that it still propagates the illusion of continuous and linear time by producing a steady autitory trace. What is worse, with the addition of a Witschi or similar device one might even turn it into a timekeeper! It would therefore be desirable to insulate the watch so it remains perfectly still, creating an even better approximation of nirvana and the numinous.

H11: Alternatively or additionally , a slight modification of the barrel spring might enable a watch in which the tourbillon only runs for a few seconds after a full winding. This would add a welcome reminder about the transience of being and the illusion of a permanent time stream.

H12: Nevertheless, even then, the tourbillon still "is" and brashly declares a potentiality that might become actual if the watchmaker and owner so choose. Would it not be better to remove the tourbillon from the watch entirely before delivering it to the client ? (this one could even be done as a variant of the H8)

H13: Even with the tourbillon absent, the buyer still probably entertains the notion that he KNOWS what is behind that opaque crystal. It is only consequent that the H13 denies him the possibility to gain that knowledge simply because he pays the equivalent of a house for it. As in the temple, what is truly behind the veil is only known by the artist-priest.

H14: While we are now beginning to address some of the more obvious problems of the watch-as-timekeeper, even the H13 leaves most of the pragmatics of watchowning untouched: the H13 can still be worrn or subjected to color-coordination or criticism by the wife when looked at too often, etc. One possible route would be to pare away the case, strap etc. More in keeping with the original temple analogy, the H14 is instead delivered in a safe that cannot be opened by the owner. As in the temple, the power to open it rests solely wth the artist-priest.

H15: Even so, the owner still knows the watch is in there, the ultimate safe queen, if you will. That can be addressed by denying that knowledge in the H15 package (if the next generation is less enlightened they can opt to be told, for a fee).

H16: While progress is being made, even the H15 becomes the property of the buyer, then owner. With ownership comes attachment and suffering. For the true seekers of enlightenment, the H16 therefore offeres an unidirectional unburdening of money for the watch that will remain with the artist-priest.

After that all is dark.

Best

Andreas

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