Joshua Wessel

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Published today in: 01 October 2009 By Michael Yon The Greatest Afghanistan War has deteriorated so noticeably that one can now feel the enemy's growing pulse. Each month it beats steadier, stronger, and in 2010 it will finally be born. On Sept. 11 in Kandahar, a South African civilian working without security was visibly upset - not at the Taliban but at the police. The 16-year police veteran recounted seeing Afghan police speeding through crowded streets and hitting a bicycle. The rider gymnastically avoided impact while the bicycle was tossed down the road. The South African, with whom I spent a week in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, said the police never slowed down. "That's part of the reason the Taliban are gaining ground," he said. "The police are out there recruiting Taliban." I have searched for answers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Along with the more strategic questions (for example, should war be pursued?) are those closer to the shop floor: Are we gaining or losing popular... - Joshua Wessel

The 51-30 Black Orange Chronograph Watchismo is proud to be the first to introduce the brand new Winter 2010 Nixon Black/Orange color collections (and a few entirely new models shown below). Spooky new color schemes, totally evil and fun. The Nixon Decision (Brand New Model) The Newton Orange Black Sunrise Mystery Dial The Newton Digital The Nixon R1G1 Retrograde The 42-20 Chronograph The 51-30 PU The Time Teller | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel

The 51-30 Black Orange Chronograph Watchismo is proud to be the first to introduce the brand new Winter 2010 Nixon Black/Orange color collections (and a few entirely new models shown below). Spooky new color schemes, totally evil and fun. The Nixon Decision (Brand New Model) The Newton Orange Black Sunrise Mystery Dial The Newton Digital The Nixon R1G1 Retrograde The 42-20 Chronograph The 51-30 PU The Time Teller | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel

30 September 2009 Please Click Here to view the entire Report from Jeffrey A. Dressler   {loadposition user8} - Joshua Wessel

absolutely heartbreaking - Joshua Wessel

help needed - Joshua Wessel

While Greubel Forsey is on the heels of winning one of the most prestigious horological awards, the "Esprit d'Entreprise" at the 2009 Prix Gaïa evening at the MIH Museum (La Chaux du Fonds), I decided to share some of Ian Skellern's (Underthedial) amazing macro videos of the Quadruple Tourbillon à Différentiel Sphérique and Tourbillon 24 Secondes Incliné. Quadruple Tourbillon à Différentiel Sphérique Video-->Link Tourbillon 24 Secondes Incliné Video-->Link Video-->Link In addition, Greubel Forsey just announced their new headquarters, also in La Chaux du Fonds. Symbolizing their impact on the horologogical landscape, their new building designed by Pierre Studer appears to have risen from the Earth (or fallen from my first impression). "Its original shape reflects a geological fold as seen in the topography of the Jura mountains, further enhanced by a ‘green’ or garden roof." To me, I see a powerful new company so heavy in talent, the ground is unable to support them... More about the... - Joshua Wessel

While Greubel Forsey is on the heels of winning one of the most prestigious horological awards, the "Esprit d'Entreprise" at the 2009 Prix Gaïa evening at the MIH Museum (La Chaux du Fonds), I decided to share some of Ian Skellern's (Underthedial) amazing macro videos of the Quadruple Tourbillon à Différentiel Sphérique and Tourbillon 24 Secondes Incliné. Quadruple Tourbillon à... more... - Joshua Wessel

Just announced from Montres Journe SA - Limited Series of 69 pieces in platinum - and 68 pieces in 18k red gold. The long awaited Vagabondage II will finally be launched at the end of November 2009. Flat Tortue case shape, slightly larger than Vagabondage I, exclusive digital system of time display, jumping hours and minutes, small independent second and power reserve, smoked sapphire dial through which the manual winding movement in 18k rose gold is visible. This model is the second release of a soon-to-be trilogy Vagabondage series. F.P. Journe Website Related Posts at The Watchismo Times; All Haute Horology Stories | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel

Just announced from Montres Journe SA - Limited Series of 69 pieces in platinum - and 68 pieces in 18k red gold. The long awaited Vagabondage II will finally be launched at the end of November 2009. Flat Tortue case shape, slightly larger than Vagabondage I, exclusive digital system of time display, jumping hours and minutes, small independent second and power reserve, smoked sapphire... more... - Joshua Wessel

DALI DIDN'T JUST MELT CLOCKS Y'KNOW... "The Premonition of the Drawers" created by the great master of surrealism Salvador Dali, in 1973. This is the fifth in a series of eight such complex and vaguely menacing bronze forms based on a 1934 pencil sketch of a semi-reclining female figure with a number of partly open drawers, her throat and neck covered by her long hair. The head consists of an OMEGA electronic watch. The white Roman numeral dial with stick hands (special version) covers a "mouse" sonic resonator calibre 1220 whose case is held at the top by a single screw-in Catalan bean. Salvador Dali, Paris Longueur : 39 cm. Hauteur: 28 cm. Largeur : 20.5 cm. 1973 L'horloge est une sculpture en bronze patiné, vert clair, conçue par Salvador Dali d'après un dessin daté de 1934, La prémonition des tiroirs. Réalisé par le sculpteur Onelio Vignando, le bronze a été fondu par la maison Valsuani, à Paris. L'œuvre a été éditée en huit exemplaires, auxquels s'ajoutent quatre épreuves... - Joshua Wessel

DALI DIDN'T JUST MELT CLOCKS Y'KNOW... "The Premonition of the Drawers" created by the great master of surrealism Salvador Dali, in 1973. This is the fifth in a series of eight such complex and vaguely menacing bronze forms based on a 1934 pencil sketch of a semi-reclining female figure with a number of partly open drawers, her throat and neck covered by her long hair. The head consists... more... - Joshua Wessel

By Michael Yon 25 September 2009 The surprise discontinuation of my embedment from the British Army left my schedule in a train wreck. Until that decisive moment, I am told, that my embed with the British Army had lasted longer than anyone else’s; other than Ross Kemp’s. I’ve also been told that I’ve spent more time with the British Army in Iraq than any correspondent. So it’s fair to say, we have good history together. In the last 12 months, I’ve embedded with the British Army in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, then over to the jungles of Brunei to attend a man-tracking school, and again back in Afghanistan. During that time, I’ve also been with U.S. forces in Iraq, the Philippines, and Afghanistan. I’ve accompanied the Lithuanians in Afghanistan and also been downrange for months without any troops or official assignment. This dispatch, and many others, should have been about soldiers at war. But it’s not. This dispatch is being written in downtown Kandahar City and I have not seen a... - Joshua Wessel

Antiquorum has offered a wide array of antique erotic automaton pocket dating from past three centuries. If you haven't seen these before, you might be shocked at how graphic these animated depictions were for the time. For additional examples, see my previous post on the subject here--> "Debbie Does Switzerland - Victorian Porn" "Outside the Abbey Walls" (above) Outside the Abbey Walls Swiss, No. 1339. Made circa 1910. Fine and amusing, large, 18K pink gold and enamel, hunting-cased, keyless minute-repeating pocket watch with chronograph and painted on enamel concealed erotic automaton. C. Four-body, “bassine et filet”, engine-turned covers with polished borders, the front cover with a black champleve enamel monogram, polished band, gold hinged cuvette with painted on enamel erotic scene depicting two monks enjoying local hospitality in the woods. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals, outermost fifths of a second divisions,... - Joshua Wessel

Antiquorum has offered a wide array of antique erotic automaton pocket dating from past three centuries. If you haven't seen these before, you might be shocked at how graphic these animated depictions were for the time. For additional examples, see my previous post on the subject here--> "Debbie Does Switzerland - Victorian Porn" "Outside the Abbey Walls" (above) Outside the Abbey Walls... more... - Joshua Wessel

The Green Watch The project « green watch / Citypulse » was conceived under the programm Cities 2.0 of Fing (Fondation internet nouvelle génération). The aim is to multiply by 1000 the number of environmental sensors in the city, while encouraging people’s implication in measuring environmental indices, thus associating them directly to building a sustainable city. The green watch comprizes a watch and two environmental sensors (ozone, noise). Data are regularly broadcasted via a mobile phone to an open platform called Citypulse which receives, stores and makes measure data available and anonymous. Data can then be used freely in order to be shown on maps, used in models, etc.. 30 prototypes of the green watch will be tested in May 2009 by residents of the 2nd arrondissement of Paris (Digital District) and also during Futur en Seine, by highschool students of Montreuil (Maison Populaire), by researchers in the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie and by visitors of the wikiplaza, place... - Joshua Wessel

The Green Watch The project « green watch / Citypulse » was conceived under the programm Cities 2.0 of Fing (Fondation internet nouvelle génération). The aim is to multiply by 1000 the number of environmental sensors in the city, while encouraging people’s implication in measuring environmental indices, thus associating them directly to building a sustainable city. The green watch... more... - Joshua Wessel

America in Danger: Important Courtroom Battles Published: 24 September 2009 Dear Mr. Yon: It is my pleasure to forward to you the attached copy of the amicus curiae brief which we filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on behalf of the Special Operations community on Monday evening. We believe that this unique brief has the potential to play an important role in the Court of Appeals’ consideration of Maqaleh v. Gates.  We are especially optimistic that the Court will value the insight that only veterans of Special Operations can offer as to the extremely adverse operational consequences that would flow from upholding the District Court’s decision.  Thank you for being an integral part of this effort. It has been an honor to represent true American heroes in this matter. Best regards, David Please click here to view the entire brief emailed by David Rivkin.     {loadposition user8} - Joshua Wessel

DIY Grass Clock (via Yanko Design) Researching for this article I came across the Treehugger post on Ustatic’s Wall Grass Concept. You must understand this concept before you can digest the Hour///Gras Living Wall Clock. Based on Ustatic’s theory that growing grass at home is beneficial, this concept clock encourages you to grow either grass or other suitable plants in a stainless steel and glass body frame and hang it on a wall. The hour and minute hand pass over the patch of grass and trim it via their sharpened edges and help maintain a pre-set level of grass-blade length. In case you sow wheat grass, you can consume the trimmings but for any other plant, just dispose of the clippings which pass through the grates at the bottom of the encasement into a slide-out container. On maintenance point of view, a watering basin is located at the top right corner of the frame and Ventilation grills run along the top of the structure. Point is…do you need a grass patch in your home? If you... - Joshua Wessel

DIY Grass Clock (via Yanko Design) Researching for this article I came across the Treehugger post on Ustatic’s Wall Grass Concept. You must understand this concept before you can digest the Hour///Gras Living Wall Clock. Based on Ustatic’s theory that growing grass at home is beneficial, this concept clock encourages you to grow either grass or other suitable plants in a stainless steel... more... - Joshua Wessel

The Sèvres Vase Clock, a prototype by Georgios Maridakis, indicates the hour with an audible knock. Just place the vase of your choice on the brass and wood stand and the hammer will strike the vase each hour. Each vase makes a different sound, but adding different amounts of water for different pitches and notes takes it one step further. The modern take on a grandfather clock is a subtle, unobtrusive way to indicate time—we'd add a few flowers too. Designer Georgios Maridakis is currently finishing a stint at the Royal College of Art in London. Visit his site for more info on this and other projects. via CoolHunting / BoingBoing Related posts at The Watchismo Times: All Clock Stories | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel

The Sèvres Vase Clock, a prototype by Georgios Maridakis, indicates the hour with an audible knock. Just place the vase of your choice on the brass and wood stand and the hammer will strike the vase each hour. Each vase makes a different sound, but adding different amounts of water for different pitches and notes takes it one step further. The modern take on a grandfather clock is a... more... - Joshua Wessel

Digital clock: only figures, no case, only the necessary – only accurate time. Each figure has self-contained power supply and independent control, it can be fixed to any surface autonomously. A light sensor will switch the clock to an invert mode: the figures are white in the dark time of day and black at daytime. Design: Vadim Kibardin Size of one figure: 60 mm x 110 mm x 10mm Colour: translucent white Materials: polycarbonate, luminous part of figure - Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) Power-supply: lithium-ion accumulators Control (choice of mode and time settings): touch-sensitive From Kibardindesign.com Kibardin Design's Black and White clock has four OLED digits equipped with light sensors, ensuring an appropriate color is always used. Kibardin is looking for a manufacturer. via BoingBoing Related posts at The Watchismo Times: All Clock Stories All Digital Clock & Watch Stories | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel

Digital clock: only figures, no case, only the necessary – only accurate time. Each figure has self-contained power supply and independent control, it can be fixed to any surface autonomously. A light sensor will switch the clock to an invert mode: the figures are white in the dark time of day and black at daytime. Design: Vadim Kibardin Size of one figure: 60 mm x 110 mm x 10mm Colour:... more... - Joshua Wessel

Sweden's Energy Aware Clock hangs on the wall and depicts a permanent visualization of your energy use. Every hour, it chimes to remind you to feel guilty about the size of your residence. link - DesignBoom via BoingBoing via DVICE Related posts at The Watchismo Times: Green Eco Stories All Clock Stories | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel

Sweden's Energy Aware Clock hangs on the wall and depicts a permanent visualization of your energy use. Every hour, it chimes to remind you to feel guilty about the size of your residence. link - DesignBoom via BoingBoing via DVICE Related posts at The Watchismo Times: Green Eco Stories All Clock Stories | Watchismo Blog | Watchismo Shop | Contact Us | Subscribe | - Joshua Wessel