Omega

Chuck, this is one of the greatest compliments of my career as a horological writer. . . May 10, 2007,18:02 PM By: Jack Forster (registered)

Eh, it's well deserved, Jack.

. . . you are universally recognized as THE definitive authority on the Web for the Speedmaster- and not just the Moonwatch but the various Marks in all their incarnations, and your resources are now and will remain for the forseeable future not only the most definitive on the 'net informationally, but also among the most pleasurable to read.

[blush]

Well, I don't know about all that... And in any case this will likely change quickly when Marco Richon's new book hits our eagar hands and blows us all away. I personally feel more in my element talking about the Mark Series, the Teutonics, the c.1045 and the other variants (Speedsonic, Flightmaster, Bullhead, 125) than the moonwatch. Yeah, the Moonwatch is great and interesting but the real fun is in all the variants!

The difference and distinction between my minor forays at putting electrons into HTML form is that I'm coming at it from a Chrono-Driver's or Chrono-Collector's, or even Chrono-Archeologist's point of view. Your effort[s] is[are] from an angle where I don't feel I possess ability/knowledge/expertise in... Your approaching the topic from the Chrono-Doctor's or Chrono-mechanic's point of view.

I mean I can critique the usability of various dial layouts, and appearance aspects, but I doubt anyone will be seeing me discuss the mechanical merits of the lever-cam vs. the column wheel other than one looks nicer and one is more avidly sought by many.

I have been reading your writings on the Speedmasters literally for years, and they are a model of accuracy in research

Well, I'm not sure I would go _that_ far...

I do from time to time, at times anyway, try to pencil in the aspects of the terrain which we don't have firm solid information on, even prematurely, and I have been known to express a theory or two which doesn't necessarily hold up upon the discovery of new information. Case in point and it's resolution [at least for now].

and in a world of stolen and unacknowledged sources your scholarly scrupulousness and clarity about attribution is a model for all of us. 

Well, from the start I have never seen what one gains from trying to pass off someone else's work as one's own, nor have I been able to see what one loses by not giving credit where credit is due. Nothing in this day and age is created in a vacuum. Ok, well maybe someone has me on the Segway! Few things in this day and age...

To be complimented by you on an article I've put together on the Speedmaster is truly a privilege.

Eh, good work is complemented, this is clearly good work and beyond that!

The article is the property of ThePuristS.com and its disposition is at their discretion, but I'm hopeful it will find a permanent home .

Don't be surprised if I don't make a PDF archive for my personal use!

Jack

Cheers and once again, very well done! -- Chuck