It should come as no surprise that we must continue to move forward and bring new items to the watch community. We reward those with patience and an interest in coming along on the development journey with projects that offer incredible value. Despite our best efforts to predict what will happen at the final production phase, we are human and we rely on not only our team but the teams of over two hundred suppliers to bring our horological creations to light. There can and will most likely be delays, but these delays only make us better as they force us to refine our processes and optimize workflow. Above all else, we want to deliver a premium product rather than rush production just to get watches out the door.
As many of you know we incurred delays in the final stages of Supersede, but our team is overcoming these challenges and it will only help better our production for future projects. No company in the Swiss watch industry is exempt from such challenges and the more advanced a project is the more challenges can arise. Horage is at the upper echelon of movement and watch development and to achieve this our highly talented team must play at the borders of what is possible.
With the launch of Lensman 1 we alluded that it would be the first watch within a series of timepieces with close ties to the world of photography. Lensman 1 was quite a success with a uniquely never before developed cyclops lens situated over the titanium tourbillon cage. The cyclops helps heighten the allure of the mechanical wonder that is the tourbillon, with a subtle tie back to the lenses photographers use in image capture. The order window for Lensman 1 closed on February 28th, 2023 with the final number of watches reaching 200 pieces. This means that Lensman 1 will have case numbers ranging from 1-200 and each of you that ordered will receive the 200+ page Horage book that is currently getting ready for print.
All in all the team here at Horage are happy with the result, however, a funny thing happens when orders close and that is people start asking how to get one. It's a super cool watch concept that shouldn't be swept under the rug. We thought it would be welcomed to let it shine again therefore we are considering what a new version of this watch could look like in future times. Of course, this future timepiece will be referenced as something along the lines of Lensman 1.1. It would be distinguishably different as it pertains to dial, price as well as having a greater production run, thus making the Lensman 1 a rarer inaugural timepiece.
Initially, we had thought that we would launch the Lensman series with two watches, however, as with production and prototyping preparation for the series there would be far more to consider with tasks being multiplied by a factor of two and many details of the second Lensman watch would be sitting on the drawing-room table. The details of Lensman 1 were solidified so we moved forward with its launch to allow for more time to work out the details of what will be Lensman 2. As well we needed to gauge Supersede deliveries and any production hiccups that could arise before moving into a new project. In retrospect, it was the right decision and today we can finally start with the next chapter in the Lensman series.
We love your feedback and felt that some of the unknowns could be resolved with your input. From dial colours, to straps and more, there are some details that we want to involve you in. Additionally, I have been in contact with an individual who has dedicated their life to photography. I felt their story would be an incredible addition to the watch as nearly every one of you will be able to find a reference point to their imagery. Time was needed to speak with them and carve out a plan for their involvement with Lensman 2 and over the course of a few months we have ironed out details of the partnership. With regards to this partnership we will be seeking your input on some "collectible extras" let's say that will accompany the Lensman 2 watch, but more on this in future posts.
What film is this from?
Gravity
The Hunger Games
Return of The Jedi
Gone With The Wind
I can feel my ears burning as I type this with folks asking for me to "Cut to the chase already! What is the Lensman 2 watch?".
Making new things and discovering what has been in the works is equally exciting. I know there are some that would rather just have all the details served up to them on a silver platter. Too bad, so sad, what is the fun in that? Lensman 2 is unlike anything we have seen before. It's truly unique with many smaller details still being ironed out and of course, we want to involve you in the tail-end of development.
Lensman 2 has a function specific to photography, however, the overall aesthetic immediately takes muse from reference pieces of navigational pilot, driving watches and cameras. Modern materials and an elegant profile enable it to skirt the realms of tool and dress watch alike. Even if you have zero interest or understanding of photography it's a piece with its own distinct character. How many people have no clue how to use a tachymeter, yet fully appreciate the contribution it makes to a watches design? This is very much the same point Lensman 2 drives home.
Markus Lindstedt an engineer here at Horage and a complete photography tech head was tasked with presenting some functions that we could consider for a watch. As a photographer I have a very simple approach and avoid all the bells and whistles, however, in todays world of more tech being packed into photo and video cameras I often turn to Markus for a simplified understanding of what is on offer. Markus has a talent for taking the seemingly complicated and simplifying things for real-world usage, I and others in our team are always in awe as to how he has come to his conclusion so effortlessly. One only needs to look at the slim, meticulously engineered Supersede micro-adjustment clasp that he developed.
For Lensman 2 Markus looked at the core function that is primary to creating an image. With some creative ingenuity, Markus presented us with a very simple sketch of what would in turn be a first of its kind in the watch world. More on that sketch later on...
Whats this watch all about?
Let's have some fun with this. The below are not options, but a guess at what we have already spec'd into this watch. Select your best guess from below. You will see the result after you select your answer, one option only 😉.
What Could Be The New Function?
Focus Meter
Depth of Field Chart
Exposure Calculator
Selfie Maker
Will There Be Additional Functions?
Centre Three Hands
Calendar
GMT
Small Seconds
Which Movement Will Be Used?
K-TOU Tourbillon
K1 Automatic
K2 Micro-rotor
A completely new movement
Which Case Material?
316L Stainless Steel
904L Stainless Steel
Grade 2 Titanium
Grade 5 Titanium
Will There Be A Strap or Bracelet?
Leather Strap
Rubber Strap
Metal Bracelet
Precious Metal Bracelet
Share your ideas in the comments. More on Lensman 2 and this new function in the next post.
Till next time...
Landon Stirling
Don’t know why…, but I have rarely been so excited about one of our products. It goes against some of my philosophy and of what I thought we would never make, but perhaps because of that it is so good. Sometimes you make a product and you just know it works. When I got the chance to wear the first proto and in the evening I put it down on the desk in our bedroom, the next morning was the interesting part… This watch sitting on that desk and getting a shine from the rising morning sun… Stunning. There are watches that work on the wrist and watches that work when they sit on a desk and there is this Lensman 2 which just works all the time.
Any update on the production and delivery date of the Lensman 1?
-would like to have a K-tou movement
- cushion shape case in Lensman 2.
-may be in a vintage style eg. a smokey brown dial, or may be a black colour case ( DLC coated) with silver color bezel.
Interesting! So bi-part case construction, there seems to be a GMT hand and a rotating bezel. Maybe using calculation tables as an example on pilot watches, the bezel could be used as an equivalent exposure calculator? Eg align f2 and 1/100s and then you could also do f2.8 and 1/50s? Real world use case would be limited though, as I would prefer a more generic calculation scale :)
Regarding collaboration with camera brands,
How about collaborating with Sony, who makes "α series"?
They are also actively collaborating with mechanical watch makers by incorporating smartwatch functions into watch bracelets.
A vote for see through dial to get mesmerized by the complications 🙂.
what is becoming clearer to me is that since I met horage my pockets will always be empty!!🤣🤣 I am waiting for K2 and lensman1, I would love the idea of thinking about an automatic tourbillon moved by a micro rotor, I would be willing once again to pay a single tourbillon k2 without thinking about it... and if this fusion is ever going to take place, so to speak, the resulting product must be platinum... because with you I will already have 904L and grade 5 titanium, like this that adding another special horage platinum would be wonderful… in the future I would like a movement with a peripheral rotor as horage is making it clear to me that he has no limits…. I will surely support each of the horage projects that include new calibers and I will be part of them 100% guaranteed, tomorrow when horage is from watchmaking the same as apple from technology I will be there!!😉😉 about the lensman1 issue I hope it's just a unique edition since that's what makes the product unique and it's our reward for always supporting the product, I ask you a favor to buy the star signing in the middle a black shirt to go with it 😉
Consider a partnership with a major photography partner. Hasselblad etc? Leica did a watch, so they might be out, but any partnership would be a step-up for the Horage brand. Especially if it includes e.g a cyclops designed by the partner. Could even be a Carl Zeiss x Horage partnership where the sapphire sandwich and cyclops is designed to elucidate the stunning detail in the movement.
I can only dream of a K2-TOU that has a micro-rotor and tourbillion. Smaller mainspring to compensate, but the potential for a gorgeous movement with the mainspring, tourbillon, and micro rotor in radial symmetry makes me swoon.
Speaking as someone who owns two Tourbillon 1s, I want this to succeed :) especially if a limited-run case like Platinum or even Niobium or Tantalum are options.
Nice to see the variation in the polls above. Feel free to ask away in the comments here.