Author Archives: Timmy Tan

Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch: Not a watch?

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Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch. Part of Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier’s amazingly fresh and interesting jewellery watch collection. Photo: © Cartier

Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch. Part of Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier’s amazingly fresh and interesting jewellery watch collection. Photo: © Cartier

The Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier jewellery watch collection comprises 41 pieces described by the brand as “a spirited bestiary” with “secrets and tricks”.

One fine example being the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch (the indomitable frog watch) we had mentioned earlier in the article “Tiancheng International and the seeds of love”. Now what are its secret and tricks?

Well, Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch features the amphibian sitting on a floating lotus leaf in what is seen as a pond underneath that is tastefully created through miniature enamelled paintings on an 18K gold dial.

The sculpture of the frog, lotus flowers and leaves is “floating” as it is positioned above the sapphire crystal of the watch. This piece is therefore seen more for its jewellery make-up comprising moonstones, sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, not to mention the emeralds representing the eyes of the frog.

Powered by a quartz watch movement, time is told by the hour and minute hands discreetly found between the one and two o’clock positions.

The trick is that the miniature frog sculpture can actually be lifted off to reveal more of the dial underneath which offers a similar and flatter representation of what has been taken off sans the frog (which has perhaps “jumped off for a swim”?). Take note of the positions of the lotus flowers and leaves before and after the frog sculpture was removed.

With the frog off, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch appears as a very different wristwatch. Photo: © Cartier

With the frog off, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch appears as a very different wristwatch. Photo: © Cartier

This is truly a piece to appreciate and enjoy. Somehow, the look brings to mind “what if” and perhaps far-fetched possibilities with the incredible three-dimensional fish art sculptures of Riusuke Fukahori, especially if such incredible works of art by this Japanese artist can be miniaturised and created on watch dials.

For this Indomptables de Cartier timepiece, the brand says it is part of “a collection that proclaims, like a surrealist manifesto: “This is not a watch”.”

This is because of its secret – the frog with lotus flowers and leaves sculpture is actually a brooch.

The brooch of the Indomptables de Cartier Frog is definitely not a watch but it can be part of one. Photo: © Cartier

The brooch of the Indomptables de Cartier Frog is definitely not a watch but it can be part of one. Photo: © Cartier

This is an excellent idea for ladies as they can have a two-in-one jewellery piece. With such dual functionality, the reasoning for obtaining such an item, especially for the well-heeled, can easily become “a must-have” rather than a “good-to-have”.

This is not a watch? Well, yes, when the brooch is used on its own and it depends on how one views the piece when it is attached to the watch. Whether it is a watch or isn’t, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch is definitely well worth watching.

Links to other timewerke.com articles related to Cartier which may be of interest:

i. Tiancheng International and the seeds of love
ii. Spot on: The power of the colour orange
iii. Cartier highly popular as a jewellery and watch brand in China

Franck Muller: 싸이 Psy keeping watch “Gangnam Style”

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The Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex PSY watch is a one-of-a-kind and features the caricature of the gentleman himself performing his signature invisible horse-riding “Gangnam Style” dance moves on the dial complete with sunglasses and his black-and-white Oxfords while not forgetting diamonds totalling 6.97 carats on the case and dial. Photo: © Franck Muller

The Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex PSY watch is a one-of-a-kind and features the caricature of the gentleman himself performing his signature invisible horse-riding “Gangnam Style” dance moves on the dial complete with sunglasses and his black-and-white Oxfords while not forgetting diamonds totalling 6.97 carats on the case and dial. Photo: © Franck Muller

As the gentleman with the most-watched video on YouTube, what with more than 1.7 billion views as of August 2013, what does Psy 싸이 love to watch?

Well, perhaps what he watches more of these days is none other than his very own personalised, one-of-a-kind PSY watch (pun intended, as usual).

Made by Franck Muller and very recently presented to the South Korean singer, dancer and rapper for the global success of his hit single, “Gangnam Style”, this is a one-of-a-kind watch.

You can therefore be sure that this will be a keeper for Psy as it is indeed a very special and meaningful Franck Muller “Gangnam Style” pièce unique.

The PSY watch was handed over to him personally by Franck Muller, the gentleman himself, in Seoul, South Korea. Also present were Dr Pollyanna Chu, chairwoman, Franck Muller Asia and Kingston Chu, vice chairman, Franck Muller Asia.

The Franck Muller timepiece comes in the distinctive Cintrée Curvex case that is oversized and in white gold. The three-hand PSY watch houses the Calibre FM 2800 automatic movement.

On the dial of the Franck Muller PSY watch is his caricature in a black suit with sunglasses performing the “Gangnam Style” invisible horse-riding move complete with his black-and-white Oxfords.

Psy performing at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in December 2012. Photo: © Marina Bay Sands.

Psy performing at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in December 2012. Photo: © Marina Bay Sands.

Not to be missed will be the bling – totalling 6.97 carats of diamonds. These come from 216 white diamonds (1.86 carats) and the 80 black diamonds (0.61 carats) that form the Roman numerals on the dial. The remaining 4.5 carats are from the 305 diamonds set on the case.

Love it or hate it, there is no denying that the “Gangnam Style” music video is a global sensation. “Gangnam Style” is Psy’s 18th single from his album “Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part I”.

It seems that at its peak, between seven and 10 million views a day were registered on YouTube, or around 200 million views a month on average from July to December 2012. This explains how Psy achieved one billion views in five months.

These days, viewership is around 100 million a month on average (given that 700 million views were recorded from around January to August 2013) and that is still a substantial figure.

Just imagine, every second indicated by the Franck Muller PSY watch sweep seconds hand means 39 clicks had been activated to play the “Gangnam Style” music video on YouTube.

We are pretty sure this is one watch that will be most-watched by Psy, who has been observed wearing a wristwatch during performances. Who knows, if he performs more regularly with this Franck Muller PSY watch on stage and in videos, this may very well (here comes the pun) become the most-watched watch globally.

Another Franck Muller article which may be of interest: “Franck Muller: Shenyang Forum“