5 posts tagged Ben Clymer

When you are thinking of purchasing a handcrafted timepiece, what questions do you ask yourself: what functions am I looking for, what are the main differences between designs, or how does it fit with my lifestyle? Deciding on a watch can be difficult, and knowing that the IWC man always strives to be well informed, we wanted to help.

This week we launch the first episode in a series entitled The Man’s Guide to Buying a Watch. With these episodes we will introduce you to the key characteristics around the IWC family of timepieces, and discuss a few of the considerations one should make when reviewing the options.

To help explain and provide insight we will also use IWC team members involved in the design and production of our products, as well as bloggers and other watch aficionados. It is a top notch roster delivering top notch advice. The inaugural episode delves into the technical intricacies of an IWC watch – the movement.

The inner workings of each timepiece, and what maintains its precision, is the movement or calibre. As Michael Friedberg, moderator of the IWC Collector’s Forum, explains: “there are between 175 to 500 little pieces” each of them having to work in complete harmony. We are also fortunate to have Ben Clymer executive editor of watch blog Hodinkee (and IWC Globetrotter) host each episode, lending his authoritative voice to the topic.

In Episode 1 he starts by sharing his idea that “a mechanical watch is the perfect balance of art, style, and engineering.” Taking this idea further Friedberg noted that while there may often be a focus on the visible design: “watches can be beautiful – but they are also beautiful inside”.

Watch, learn and enjoy this first part of the series, and be sure to return for more details, stories, and tips from watch experts here in Schaffhausen and beyond. 

This week,  we catch up with IWC friend Ben Clymer of watch blog Hodinkee, as he reports from the annual Goodwood Revival Festival- known to be the “largest assembling of fine vintage automobiles on planet Earth”.

Held 60 miles outside of London in a town called Chichester, Goodwood Revival is an immense showcase of finely crafted and exquisitely maintained vintage automobiles, and,  as organizers put it, is the place to “revel in the glamour and allure of motor racing”. The event focused this year on the peak of racing, between the years 1948 – 1966.

Ferrari GTO’s, Rolls Royce, and even Mercedes Benz iconic Silver Arrows participated and were featured in the event’s circuit. Adrenaline ran through the air, as the sound of mighty motors roared during the Festival’s three days.

Cars on display at the 2012 Goodwood Revival (image courtesy Goodwood Revival)

In addition to the cars on display, festival participants were encouraged to dress the part and “leave the modern world behind”- with the style suggested called “Fancy Dress”. Event goers gladly acquiesced, and as a result,  there was a good deal of tweed, racing caps, fur, and hats about. 

Traditional tweed on display at the event (photo courtesy Hodinkee)

In addition to motor-ready attire, attendees brought out their finest timepieces, including a number of beautifully maintained IWC watches. As Ben Clymer documented in Hodinkee, this made for “absolutely epic watch spotting”.

A vintage IWC timepiece photographed by Ben Clymer (photo courtesy Hodinkee)

The same thread runs through the admiration for a well-crafted automobile and a well-crafted watch: both are a sophisticated pursuit for those who seek authenticity, innovation, and respect for tradition.

Another fantastic vintage IWC spotted at the Revival (photo courtesy Hodinkee)

We look forward to more reports from Ben Clymer, as he seeks out interesting and rare timepieces, and stay tuned as we continue to report on more global IWC journeys.

With the opening of the IWC Flagship Boutique in New York City last month, we at IWC wanted to be a part of the city: to learn about the community, its neighborhoods, and inhabitants. To get the insider’s view, we partnered with local Globetrotters: IWC men, who seek out the world’s most unique experiences and attractions. Before the boutique (our largest worldwide) even opened, we asked these Globetrotters about their favorite parts of the city, where they liked to go, and where they found inspiration.

The exterior of the NYC Flagship boutique

Their responses definitely provided a journey through the city, now housed proudly on iwc.com in a dedicated page called MY NEW YORK. Evan Orensten of Cool Hunting suggested we try burgers at Shake Shack.  We looked at the handmade razors at Min Apothecary after Hodinkee’s Ben Clymer recommendation. And we checked out some new specs with Warby Parker founder Neil Blumenthal. But one thing we know is that the IWC man never rests, and so that was only the beginning.

NYC Globetrotters Josh Spear, Evan Orensten, Neil Blumenthal

On June 13 our NYC Globetrotters and honored guests converged on the Madison Avenue boutique for an evening of conversation, story swapping, and more. Displayed in the store’s second floor was a visual tribute to the great boxer Muhammad Ali. Photos taken by his friend (and personal photographer) Howard Bingham were on display for the Globetrotters and guests to see. They showed an intimate portrait of a true sporting legend.

<!—[if !supportEmptyParas]—>Kevin Ryan (Gilt Groupe CEO) and Ben Clymer of Hodinkee, at the event

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IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Miramar Timepieces on display in the NYC Flagship

Just as Muhammad Ali’s passion was boxing, and Howard Bingham’s was photography, we enjoy learning about the passions of IWC customers and fans around the world, and about how they feel about the Big Apple. As Surface Magazine Editor-In-Chief (and NYC Globetrotter) Dan Rubinstein put it: “People move here (New York City) from all over the country—and the world—to follow their dreams. It sounds cliché, I know, but it’s really true.”

NYC Globetrotter Dan Rubinstein at the Globetrotter Event

We can’t wait to hear more from our men about town (and the world), as we take the IWC Globetrotter series to new IWC cities to come.