Independents

Well, this hasn't been a great year for new watch purchases, so I'm mostly appreciating the pieces I have the good fortune to own!  Got out the light tent today and had some fun photographing PSM Shimoda RG #1:

The dial photo is actually a composite of four images, merged together using PS CS4's "auto blend" function that allows expansion of DOF by merging photos with different focal points.  I'm looking forward to playing with this capability more!

Best,

Gary G

These photos of your Shimoda are gorgeous.  You know full well that the Shimoda is my favorite PSM!  I love that single hand with its diamond mount.  So very, very pretty!  Thanks for sharing your great pictures!

Cheers,
Daos

I did think of you as I was taking and posting these photos, wondering if you would comment on them -- didn't take long to get my answer on that!  Glad you enjoyed the photos, and thanks for the note -- as always, great to correspond with you.

Best,

Gary G

That is a very nice feature in CS4. Time to upgrade my CS2...

Still some imperfections to work out, but I'm pretty pleased with these as first photos using the new CS4 capability.  In my prior light tent work, I've been using very small apertures to maximize DOF -- which in turn requires long exposure times and/or going up on ISO. 

I'm also really pleased with the work that Nikon did when I sent my camera in a couple of months ago complaining of soft focus on all lenses -- I think that they either changed out the sensor or re-aligned the existing one, as the parts of an image that are in focus are now super-sharp, just the way I like them.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Best,

Gary

...'capture' of the Shimoda seen to date. Enough to make you want to rush out and buy one!  ;-)

 

Great work Gary - thanks.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

While I'm hoping that the current economic recovery will allow me to return to my profligate ways sometime soon, there is a certain satisfaction in enjoying the stuff that's already paid for.  Thanks for the kind words on the photos!

I have never used CS 4 before and actually just updated to CS 3 only,
I'm so backward
Just simply love the simplicity of this piece.
*CL

Appreciate your note -- I too love the simplicity of this piece, and also find that I can read the time with good precision given the railroad track scale and finely pointed hand.

As for CS4, I upgraded from CS3 primarily to get full PS functionality for my new Leica D-Lux 4.  A bit annoying how Adobe doesn't make prior versions compatible with new cameras as they come out!  I saw recently that it won't be long until CS5 is introduced -- I hope that there aren't any super new features in it that I just "have to" have!

Thanks again for the kind words.

Best,

Gary G

you ordered yours with a nice customized engraved plate under the rotor.  Very nice!

Thanks -- Once I saw this type of engraving on another of Peter's watches I knew that I had to have it.  When I first saw this watch it had circular brushing on the entire plate.  Peter had it in the US on carnet (for display only), so he had to take it back to Switzerland in any case -- and if I recall properly he still needed to do final timing as well. 

Another benefit of waiting a bit for the watch was that Peter re-polished the hand and then re-oxidized it to a beautiful violet color.  I had admired the wonderful purple hands on the Foundation Watch, and Peter took it upon himself to replicate the finish for me!  It's not entirely apparent in my photo (in fact I've never been able to capture the color of the hand very well in pictures) but in person it's a knockout.

 

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nt

The Shimoda is such a daring piece. To create a watch so powerful and potent around a single hand display. I think perhaps this watch more than any other PSM reflects the subtle balance between old and new, tradition and ingenuity, masculinity and femininity.

The photos are just ... bravo!

...about the photos -- appreciate the praise!  On the Shimoda, Peter has told me that he considers it one of his two "iconic" designs (along with the unique piece Fighting Time) -- seems that the Shimoda really captures the imagination for a lot of people.

The only time that I have seen a Speake-Marin look that good is on the wrist, in person. Great pictures...

Your Serpent in the photo?  That's another favorite of mine...

Best,

Gary

It's a #1 as well. Great watches that are easy to fall in love with over and over again.

Cheers,
matt

and great pics, thanks for shairing .

What my wrist sees when I'm looking at the face:

Love that black-polished rotor!

Best,

Gary G

a one of a kind?  Sorry not too sure what the No.1 stands for.

Peter's been pretty generous with his use of the number 1 -- applying it to each metal of each design.  So, there's a number 1 Shimoda in SS, RG, YG, and (not sure, but probably) WG.  Then the serial numbering goes up from there within each metal.  For some of the Piccadilly's there may even be number 1s for mixed metals (e.g., SS with RG stem and lugs).

The unique pieces are labeled as such, generally with the notation "1/1"

Hope that helps!

Best,

Gary

that rotor is truly amazing...

I did not realized it was black polish until you pointed it out.

congrats for acquiring a stunning watch!

Peter's rotors are a highlight (to me) of his watches -- the level of finish is really excellent, and the shape is immediately recognizable.

Best,

Gary

I assume this is the mystery rotor, and I correct?

How would this rotor wind? I've never seen a mystery rotor in action and would love to know.

I definitely have to pay more attention to PSM watches!

I love what I see, and the idea behind these watches.

Thanks for the share.

Best,

Nicolas

Appreciate the positive feedback!  I still have some work to do on my technique with the PS blending method, but I am pleased that these photos represent the watch as seen "in the metal" fairly well.

With warm regards, as always,

Gary

That's a beauty!! And very nice photos. Thanx for sharing.

nt

...as well as other variations in the time only Piccadilly line.

Thanks Gary for the beautiful photography. Your Shimoda is so lovely. I'm glad that Peter redid the hand for you, and you also chose to have the back plate engraved.