Somlo "Time in Print" - Patina 7

The Collaboration :
Time in Print is a collaboration between Daniel Somlo of Somlo London and Sami Patrick of Million Dreams Media. Daniel is a third-generation vintage watch dealer based in London's prestigious Burlington Arcade and is known for his expertise in finding the beauty in the most intricate details. Sami is a professional commercial photographer, who combines Nordic simplicity with British elegance. The idea came about to create a series of macro images focusing on the concept of Patina in watches; that is, the degradation of different aspects of the watch due to the ravages of time. Each image is a study in the effects wrought upon each piece and a celebration of the beauty in the flaws.
 
The Watch:
This oversized chronograph was made between 1933 and 1952, however despite almost two decades of production, only 14,000 movements were manufactured. It was a development of the significantly smaller 28.9 chronograph and the increased size gave the watch far superior accuracy and reliability. It also allowed a far more detailed dial which meant a variety of scales could be used whilst remaining easily legible. These watches were not fashionable at the time and would have been exclusively purchased by individuals who had needed to use the watches for calculations, such as speed measurements. This example has a triple Tachymeter scale that can measure speed from 1000km/h to 12km/h over 3 minutes as well as a Telemeter scale for measuring distance using sound.
 
The Patina:
It is believed that the extensive patina on the dial is caused by the gradual ingression of moisture in the case, coupled with exposure to ultra-violet light from prolonged periods in the sun. The UV exposure can cause degradation in the paint which had no UV protection at the time. This degradation can cause the dial to discolour and the lacquer around the paint to craze. This causes fissures in the coating which allows moisture to penetrate to the base metal resulting in speckles of oxidisation which is more concentrated where the paint is present.
 
The Details:
A limited edition of 25 signed and numbered pieces. The images are printed on high quality, satin, photographic paper and are accompanied by a signed certificate with information on the watch and a theory as to how the Patina was caused.
 
Size: 34.8cm x 47cm - A3 with 2.54cm white border