That's where the "dancer" comes in. When I first read about it in an early press release, the concept wasn't very clear to me. It was obvious from pictures that the center link of the rotor is carved out, which I believed reduced mass and potential rotational energy. The "dancer," as I link imagined, was a small weight suspended on a spring, bouncing up and down and somehow imparting energy. But that's not the link case. A demonstration from a scaled-up 3D-printed model made it much more clear.
It was used as a tool, and a diver's life depended on it is a popular refrain in HODINKEE stories about dive watches. And it's not an exaggeration – there was a time, from the '50s to the late '80s, before dive computers became ubiquitous when a properly functioning dive watch kept divers safe from link an untimely demise. A dive link watch could accurately time critical elements of a dive, like bottom time, decompression stops, and even link surface intervals.
This is an important watch to me. I, like many others, saw it on the link big link screen in Interstellar in 2014 and was taken by the integration of a watch into the story. The Murph is so key that the plot link simply can't conclude in that movie without it.
Finally, what I feel is a major update is the position of the link date display. Thanks to the new movement, the 15500's date window is located right next to the minute track on the circumference of the dial plate. Fans of the original 1972 model will say link that it has returned link to its correct position.
The timeless case shape, the black-and-white dial and white baton link hands for superb readability, the tried-and-tested hand-wound movement, and the Plexi link (Hesalite) crystal that magnified the dial all added up to me wanting one almost link desperately.
The watch is engraved on the caseback, "The First Self Winding Patek Philippe Made Especially For J.B. link Champion." Beyond its importance as the first 2526, it's a typical first-series example in yellow gold with an off-white enamel dial made by Stern Freres. Champion's 2526 remains in good and original condition link – the most noticeable difference from its first appearance on the market is that the braided "C" bracelet has been swapped for an "A" link bracelet.
Collectors who missed out on the Limited Edition Azzurro and Verde link dial Bel Canto but put themselves on the waitlist have already, quietly and privately (or so I'm told) been informed of new upcoming dial options and given the opportunity to link pre-order and place a deposit. On January 19, that same link opportunity will be opened to the public and the impact of the C1 Bel Canto will continue to grow.
I've link worn mine without a mind for abuse over link the past month or so, and the bezel has yet to show any wear. That said, it's stainless steel, and even with a surface hardening like Dia-Shield, it's going to scratch. For my tastes, while I will hate the first few scratches, once the bezel is well-scratched, I think it will look link amazing, and I hope the black coloring will aid in ample contrast after a few years of use.
The Bulova 50th Anniversary Lunar Pilot Limited Edition is available at link Bulova. The watch features a 45mm titanium case, 50m of water resistance, link a 262 kHz quartz movement, an anti-reflective crystal, and link it comes packaged with a commemorative coin from NASA. 5,000 examples will be made priced at $995.
Beyond caliber 11-powered watches, Hamilton Chrono-Matics link have recently had a nice little run in the HODINKEE Shop. After this week, we'll have offered each of Hamilton's initial Chrono-Matic options in the last few months with link the Fontainebleau ref. 11001-3, slate blue dial ref. 11002-3, and now this "panda" dial ref. link 11002-3. We're taking you right back to 1969 in the HODINKEE Vintage Shop.