From bob sleighing the Cresta Run to learning the art of blueing Damascus steel, the WorldTempus team is always ready to push itself to the limits in its quest to test watches and learn how they are made. This year has been no exception with an array of fun horological adventures that we have captured on video. Here are our Top 10.
WorldTempus on Tour – Ice Climbing
During our last WorldTempus on Tour Winter Edition in Zermatt, we were ready for all kinds of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more, but one of our most scary activities was attempting the Via Ferrata in the Gorner Gorge. For this adrenalin-packed activity, we tested watches from TAG Heuer, Alpina, Doxa, Panerai, Montblanc and more. See how the watches faired in this nail-biting video from our daring team.
Surfing with Bulgari
When a gifted young surf star comes to the placid shores of the Aegean Sea seeking the perfect wave, he has three things on his side: his talent, his Bulgari timepiece, and time itself. But when an uncooperative sea refuses to awaken, the surfer must call on everything he has to bring his dream into the real world. Starring Kairos, the time we remember; Kronos, the time we measure; and introducing Kyllian Guerin as The Surfer.
Immersion at Vacheron Constantin
Follow us behind the scenes at Vacheron Constantin as we immersed ourselves in the world of retrograde displays with the oldest continuously operating watchmaker. Both the teams from WorldTempus and GMT Magazine spent a whole day discovering watches, learning about the Maison’s movements as well as diving into its history.
A Walk in the Snow with Bovet’s Pascal Raffy
In this video, WorldTempus’ Sophie Furley goes for a walk in the snow with Bovet’s Founder Pascal Raffy. In the calmness of the mountains, he discusses what makes him so proud, what he enjoys the most about his work at the Môtiers Castle, and shows us two incredible pieces from Bovet’s current collection: The Virtuoso VII and the Récital 27.
Intern For A Day
One of our favourite series is the “Intern for a Day” where one of our journalists attempts to learn a watchmaking skill. In this video, our editor-in-chief Suzanne Wong visits Genus Watches to learn how to colour the titanium case of the GNS1.2TD over an open flame. It is not only particularly difficult, but dangerous too. The things we do for watches! See how Suzanne gets on in this video.
The WorldTempus Taxi Takes Four
This year, the WorldTempus taxi has been picking up and dropping off watch professionals all over the country. We have had the honour of driving Niels Eggerding from Frederique Constant, Nicolas Baretzki from Montblanc, Deremi Ajidahun from Zakaa, Jan Edöcs from Doxa, Maurice Lacroix’s Stéphane Waser and more. One of the funniest taxi journeys was with Alexandre Beauregard who brought his whole family along for the fun.
A Little Winter Olympics
Join us in the snowy peaks of St. Moritz, where the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega, invited us to display our athletic abilities and embrace our fear. As experts in sports timekeeping, the brand with the Greek letter presents its most beautiful chronographs in its brand-new boutique, before timing our own bobsleigh run. This Olympic discipline reaches speeds of up to 150 km/h for the ultimate thrill. Live this adventure with us in the video below.
Greek Architecture and After Effects
In this video, we take a look up close at Schwarz Etienne’s Geometry while visiting the ruins of ancient Greece. Greek architecture is renowned for its exceptional beauty, symmetry and harmony – all qualities that can be found in the timepiece. This video stood out for us as we were able to use some super cool after-effects to build the ancient city from the ruins to show how it looked when it was first built.
The TAG Heuer Fishbowl
The Fishbowl is a favourite fair-time activity at WorldTempus. The concept is simple, pick three questions, each of a different colour, and share your answers with our host and boss Brice Lechevalier. Some of the questions are industry related, while others are a little more personal. One thing is sure – all the participants are good sports to take part and the answers are always fascinating. In this video, see what questions TAG Heuer’s Frédéric Arnault picked.
The Final Word
François-Henry Bennahmias gives his final WorldTempus interview as Audemars Piguet CEO — but is this really goodbye? After more than a decade at the helm of one of the world's biggest watch companies we talk to him about what achievement he considers his proudest moment, what advice will he give to his successor, and the question we've all been wanting to ask him — what's next on the horizon? Watch our exclusive one-on-one interview to find out more.
