Club Echo

"Living On Air"

In the late 1920s Jean-Leon Reutter, a young French engineer, experimented with a clock that needed no direct mechanical or electrical intervention to keep it wound, a clock powered only by Perpetual Motion. For the clock to work independently and continuously, he had to use a substance that would react to the most sensitive changes in temperature and atmospheric conditions. That substance was mercury.The result of Reutter's achievement was an ingenious new clock unlike any other, past or present. A timepiece that was so incredibly sensitive, that it could be rewound by the slightest fluctuations in the atmosphere, or by the slightest changes in temperature, hence the name: "Atmos Clock".

A small temperature variation of just one degree is sufficient for over two day's operation. Such variation occurs naturally in normal room temperature and thus without any additional sources of energy, the Atmos clock will continue to run if left untouched, "forever".

Hence the term: "Living On Air”

Check out this legendary timepiece at Ethos Studios.

10 most expensive time pieces

INDEED, there are few more desirable or desired possessions than a fine timepiece. Add to that features like intricate, exhorbitant, limited and the same timepiece also becomes timeless. So much so that it becomes a collector's item. Today, at the most expensive levels, wrist watches are status symbols. Connoisseurs relish them and collectors vie for them. It's in this exclusive list of the world's ten most expensive watches that we can mention class apart pieces like the Blancpain's ‘1735', a Daniel Roth 'Grande Sonnerie', Audemars Piguet's 'Royal Oak Grande Complication' or a Patek Philippe 'Sky Moon Tourbillion'…watches that are so exclusive, that they are known to find their own buyers. Of course, one can pocket these bevy of beauties for less than 9 million Swiss francs, as apart from being exclusive, the watches are also for sale. But then money isn't always the deciding factor. For even if these rare timepieces do appear in the windows, they never stay there for long. The reason – they are limited editions and at times are booked and sold even before they find their way out of the watchmaker's studio! So what is it about these watches that make them so exclusive and yes, expensive? Well, to be honest, the watches do their own talking - be it in the form of handsome shapes and dials or even grander complications or the fact that they come dripping with jewels. They are after all pieces in time.

Care of time piece

Congratulations! As the proud owner of a fine Swiss timepiece, you are now responsible for the care of a piece of history. Think about it…even if you are purchasing a brand new timepiece, the actual concept and design of the movement inside the beautiful case has been many decades and in some cases centuries in the making. An item of this prestige deserves to be cared for appropriately.

One thing to keep in mind when you initially receive your timepiece is if you need to reset your date or time on your new timepiece: never use the quick set for setting the date between the hours of 9:00PM and 3:00AM . This could cause serious damage to your timepiece. With complicated calendar timepieces, this becomes increasingly important.

Two points to consider as you wear your new timepiece are what activities you will be doing while wearing your watch and what the environment is like. If you have a mechanical timepiece it is not recommended to wear them while golfing or playing tennis as the impact can jar the movement. Keep in mind though that prolonged exposure to hotter water can cause the gaskets to expand and contract which may lead to water entering the case.

For basic appearance a soft cloth is ideal for cleaning smudges and fingerprints off metal bracelets can be removed periodically and cleaned as lotions and environmental elements can find their way in between the links. Animal leather straps will darken with time and care should be taken not to get them wet. Rubber straps are extremely durable and can be cleaned and rinsed with a mild soap and water. Servicing of the movement of your timepiece should always be done through an authorized retailer or service centre of the manufacturer. With proper care your timepiece will become a family heirloom that will last generations.