highly interesting post, including reminding more knowledgeable readers of Neptune and Sculpture, of which I either have been ignorant of or which I forgot quickly after having set eyes on originally.
The question remains, for me, though: If Mr. Stern set out to make a statement piece to define his reign, as you say, and if he has so many ideas, as he himself claimed in that "Haters" interview published in Swiss Handelszeitung and referenced on this site, why stray so awfully little from the Nautilus design? Why is there so much bravado and so little daring?
Cheers
Marc