Connoisseur: 2012

Space Clepsydra

12/20/2012

A wristwatch is one of those things that captivated and defined us ever since we were little kids. At first, they were used “just” to tell and measure time. And when I say “just,” I mean it in the context of today’s world, where we have potato peelers and washing machines combined into one device.

More and more people today want their little machines, gadgets, and devices to perform multiple tasks at once. That’s why watchmakers decided to follow the trend and surprise us with increasingly wild, innovative, and sophisticated timepieces.

The golden age of watches was shaken up quite a bit when the Japanese first released digital watches with LCD screens. At first, many people scorned these (just like they did with Japanese cars when they flooded the global market), but today Japan is a benchmark for quality, reliability, manufacturing precision, and the most advanced technologies in any industry.

A wristwatch is a status symbol that defines a person’s position and social power, especially at the higher levels of the system. Some watches, much like their owners, are simply too eccentric and unique, using every opportunity to showcase the free spirit of their wearer. And those are exactly the ones I love—because I’ve never been one for rigid standards and "proven values."

These days, you can buy wristwatches that, just two or three decades ago, could only be imagined in science fiction films. How do they even manage to make things that actually work? Some experiment with new materials, some create the most complex and precise mechanisms, and others approach the concept of time from completely fresh perspectives. And then there are those who just want to show the world the ultimate peak of design, style, and balance. Some people love Tissot, some would die for Breitling, and there are die-hard fans of Tag Heuer... Me? I’m among the modest ones. I’m in love with HYT.

The first clepsydra takes us back to ancient Egypt, somewhere around the 15th century BC. Egyptian pharaohs used a system of water vessels in which water dripped from one to the other to measure time. The whole year could be tracked using equal intervals and evenly spaced markings. This method was far superior to sundials, which were useless at night or when it was cloudy.

After 36 centuries, the clepsydra concept was resurrected in modern-day Switzerland—though reintroduced to the world in a completely new form. The idea may not be entirely revolutionary, but it still relies on the same postulate the clepsydra always has: water and gravity. A wristwatch with fluid driven by gravity? No way. Yet Lucien Vouillamoz is the man behind the patent for the modern clepsydra, which features two reservoirs at the ends of a shared capillary. Bellows connected to the main mechanism pump fluid that is separated by different molecular polarities, operating on a principle similar to magnetism. Patrick Berdoz was the one who financially supported the whole project, the patents, and the first prototypes. As they say, the rest is history...

Only when these two visionaries met Vincent Perriard did HYT take on its now-famous visual and technological identity. The construction includes the aforementioned ultra-flexible bellows, made from materials previously available only to NASA. The bellows function much like pistons in car engines and allow the liquid to move through the capillary. The mechanism was designed by Chronode, while Lucien Vouillamoz personally took on the development and production of the liquid components, handled exclusively by Preciflex. This is the H1, their first model, which already won the prestigious prize for most innovative concept at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

Just above the bellows, centrally positioned, is the minute dial, and to the right is the power reserve indicator (65 hours). The back is transparent so you can fully enjoy the marvel of the mechanism. As for materials, the H1 is currently available in titanium, black titanium, and red gold: something for every refined taste. I’d go for the black or gold version, but you choose; all three come with photos. In 2012, they made 160 units, with prices starting at $47,500 for the titanium version and going up to $69,000 for the gold editions. Save your cash, they’ve already announced the H2, H3, and H4, as well as steel and composite versions of the H1. But more on that another time…

Okay, China. Let’s see you try and make a replica of this.

The Silver Hooligan

12/11/2012

The name "XJ220" doesn't mean much to people who aren't into cars. But to the engineering wizards, designers, mechanics, and everyone on the team who worked hard and passionately on the project, this incredible machine was dubbed "XJ220" from the very beginning for one simple reason: it was meant to hit a top speed of 220 miles per hour (or 354.1 km/h).

When I was a kid, I somehow got my hands on a calendar from Standox, a company that makes automotive paints and coatings. I think the March page featured the Jaguar XJ220. It was a large-format calendar, and it was the first time I saw a big picture of this beauty in all its power and glory. Before that, you'd maybe catch glimpses in Auto Magazin, Auto Klub, or some imported Italian and German magazines, but the car always remained this untouchable, perfect enigma. To this day, I believe I'll be the happiest guy alive if I ever get to see one in person. Alas...

Tough times called for drastic measures, and Jaguar was in a rough spot back then. The 1980s weren't kind to the brand. Once a respected automaker, Jaguar had lost its iconic image from previous decades, mostly due to a noticeable drop in build quality and the inability to keep up with key rivals. They tried everything to reclaim their former glory, and eventually, a man named Jim Randle pointed to a faint light at the end of the tunnel.

This gentleman was the head of the design and engineering department at Jaguar from 1978 to 1991, and I can only describe him as a dreamer and fearless hero. Despite all odds, he chose probably the most illogical and difficult way to pull his company out of the muck.

The XJ220 project was his idea. He gathered a team of twelve volunteers, Jaguar employees who agreed to work on the entire project for zero pounds, often putting in overtime. Internally, the team was nicknamed "The Saturday Club." Mr. Randle had a vision: to save Jaguar from collapse by giving the world the ultimate supercar, the fastest car, packed with the most sophisticated and advanced technology.

Keith Helfet is the man responsible for the timeless design and unforgettable visual identity, someone who ensured that the XJ220 paved the way for many other cars that boldly continued down the road of extravagant and exotic lines and proportions.

Another key figure in the creation of this British dream was Tom Walkinshaw. This guy owned the famous company TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) and used his past success and experience to convince Jaguar execs that he could bring them good publicity by winning the ETCC championship with cars prepared by his team.

After succeeding, the relationship between his company and Jaguar significantly strengthened, and in May 1988, a separate firm named Jaguar Sport Ltd. was established. Its job was to handle the performance ambitions of Jaguar's production and racing cars. They got to work on Jaguar's "regular" models, but that's a story for another day.

What matters here is that Walkinshaw was in charge of engine development and many other components, all based on his extensive racing background. Initially, the XJ220 was imagined with a V12 engine, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and a bunch of other bells and whistles that, at the time, sounded like something out of a sci-fi movie. At least the styling remained unchanged...

Despite the minimal budget, Randle found creative ways to move forward. Because he'd worked on many projects outside the company, he owed favors to several smaller firms and suppliers and convinced them to work for free, promising they'd be included in the process if the project survived and went into series production.

The goal was to build the fastest race car that could also serve as a daily driver, using variable aerodynamics to make it a kind of all-rounder. There was a strong emphasis on both passive and active safety, which was quite unusual for that time and for those working conditions.

The original idea was to bolt the engine onto an ultra-light aluminum chassis and build everything from there, so every other element was subordinated to performance. Helfet's design went beyond surface beauty, incorporating revolutionary traits and extensive use of MIRA's wind tunnel.

One interesting detail: the XJ220 was one of the first production cars whose development included special measures for underbody aerodynamics, to achieve better grip and downforce. From the beginning, the plan was to place the engine under a glass cover—a stylish touch that would later be copied by many supercar and hypercar manufacturers. Even though so much love and care went into it, the XJ220 still had to endure a ton of compromises during its development...

The first prototypes had the promised V12 engine (6.2L/510 hp) and all-wheel drive, but it turned out those features made the car too heavy to meet expectations. One of the few surviving examples carries chassis number XPO102 and has a distinctive red color.

The car was first shown to an amazed public in 1988 in Birmingham, at the British Motor Show. Thanks to the overwhelming response, TWR ran a feasibility study and concluded that production was possible, but only with some major changes.

Most importantly, the engine in the production version was a downsized 3.5-liter V6 (twin-turbo, 550 hp/645 Nm), to reduce weight, lower the center of gravity, and improve overall balance. All-wheel drive was also scrapped in favor of reducing weight and boosting performance. Scissor doors were ditched, and the whole car was slightly shorter than the concept shown in Birmingham.

Jaguar officially announced production in 1989, saying only 350 units would be made, each priced at £361,000. In just one day, over 1,500 potential buyers had registered, happily waving their blank checks in the air. To even get on the waitlist, you had to drop a hefty £50,000 deposit. The first 350 who did were placed on the now-famous waiting list. Then came problems of epic proportions...

Those lucky enough to make it onto the approved buyer list soon faced a price hike to £460,000. About 75 potential customers tried to back out, leading to numerous lawsuits. Among the celebrities who still paid up for their XJ220 were Elton John and the Sultan of Brunei, who commissioned Pininfarina to redesign his unit inside and out.

In the end, a total of 287 units were produced, including six special XJ220S versions with carbon fiber bodies and more powerful engines, signed off by TWR.

Even though it never reached its dreamed-of top speed (Martin Brundle managed 217.1 mph on the Nardo track), the XJ220 remains one of those special cars: ghost-like, untethered by time, frozen in eternal perfection. It didn’t bring Jaguar the commercial success they hoped for, but it’s remembered as one of a kind. Those lucky enough to drive it say it’s insanely fast, yet refined and luxuriously comfortable. Wild, but thoughtful. Silver, but a hooligan.

World, we need more gems like this—ones that keep us forever mesmerized, wide-eyed boys at heart.

P.S. A message to the sheikhs of Dubai: please stop abandoning LeMans Blue Jaguar XJ220s in the desert with just 900 kilometers on the clock. Some of us are still dreaming.

L'Enfance Des Adultes

12/09/2012

First blog ever, first post ever — could there be a more intimidating way to start?

Honestly, I've been wondering for a while now if I’m even cut out for this whole blogging thing. It’s super easy to come off as overly confident or like I’m trying too hard. On the flip side, it’s just as easy to fall into the trap of being totally boring — either by talking about stuff no one cares about or by making interesting things sound dull.

But hey, maybe I should just stop overthinking it. I’m treating this blog like a big, beautiful, interactive journal with endless possibilities. No, it’s not gonna be one of those “Dear diary...” cliché kind of things — it’s more like a space to share the stuff I care about with anyone who’s curious.

The blog’s name isn’t meant to sound fancy or pretentious — and you’ll get that real quick once you see the mix of silly, lighthearted, even borderline childish topics. Think of it more like a vibe, a mindset, a perspective on people, moments, and ideas that I find inspiring, fascinating, important, or just plain cool — all shared in the most chill and genuine way possible.

Anyway, welcome! Kick things off with this little photo bonanza, setting the tone for everything we’ll be diving into together. Enjoy the ride!