Breakfast with Martin Braun

May 17, 2014,11:12 AM
 

One day, I got an email from a good friend of mine, a Switzerland lawyer, inviting me to breakfast meeting.  He said that he wanted me to meet someone there.  I was quite surprised to meet Mr. Martin Braun himself!  I had an unexpectedly wonderful breakfast with him (and his distributor in Japan and my lawyer friend)....


Here are the pieces I had never expected to see in person so soon.  Just wow!

Mr. Braun's own Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar (prototype)






Video:










... and different color






Quite legible












Perpetual Calendar (with large balance wheel)



173mm balance wheel!



Power reserve meter on the back as well



Black open dial version
















...and Slowrunner!







Here is the video (actual speed)









Also the video from the front (cool two-click per second)












My absolutely favorite color smile




Blue Hands!




I remember a question was posed here and there about the reaction to the shock by this big and slow balance wheel.  
Mr. Braun explained that (1) for minor shock like just running with it on the wrist, there shouldn't be a problem as it would affect all directions, and (2) for much stronger shock, the stones placed at the three points would protect the balance wheel even if it touches the "cage" by such a strong shock.

He also said that this is not a chronometer, but more of a philosophical watch.  Just a different way to enjoy the time.  He is indeed right!





... and this year's Basel novelty - Tourbillon Astronomique!




Video:



As Marcus reported in detail here: 
ahci.watchprosite.com

This watch has lots of complication from EOT, Sunrise, Sunset, to where the sun actually is on the back....  Wow.











Here is his watch box he brought to Japan.







Wonderful opportunity and wonderful breakfast for me!

Thank you, Mr. Martin Braun, Mr. Luca Orduna of Swiss Prime Brands, and my friend, Michael Mroczek!

Ken



This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2014-05-19 17:15:55

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Wow!

 
 By: matthewking : May 18th, 2014-07:39
Amazing. What a lunch! Very interesting watches. Look at those balance wheels! O.O The Astronomique is one of those pieces that pushes the innovation frontier of watch making. It is the epitome of searching for what is possible, not simply what is necessa... 

Hi Matt, it was MY pleasure...

 
 By: KIH : May 18th, 2014-08:28
.. to meet him in person at the surprise breakfast meeting :-) And he is a very nice gentleman! Thank you! Ken

Martin Braun watches

 
 By: tudorctin : May 18th, 2014-11:15
First of all, thank you for your report Ken. I have to admit I need more time to digest the design; on the other hand I know it's not easy to create a watch to be instantly recognised. Regards, Constantin

Hi Ken

 
 By: takashi78 : May 21st, 2014-01:11
I had the pleasure of meeting Martin few years back when he first launched his new brand. Very nice man. I am waiting eagerly for his Slowrunner to reach Malaysia.