Waiting for Biver... The Over/Under

So despite what you might have read in another well-known outlet, I am more and more of the belief that the rumors I heard simmering while I was in Switzerland a few weeks ago are perhaps more accurate than the posturing of a self-proclaimed authority.

You may remember such Biver "Farewell to Arms" platitudes as:

Leaving and focusing on passing on my knowledge.

Ending retirement to come back and run Tag Heuer.

Focusing on trying to save Zenith.

Leaving for health reasons.

And the most recent - 

I am really not coming back.

And... needless to say, some of us long term Biver watchers are not 100% convinced that this is really going to be it.  

I am taking the "under" on this one, and guessing that he is going to be back sooner rather than later.  

As I get older, and my father's own mortality recedes farther and farther behind me in the rear view mirror, I have come to realize that what spouses and family members often categorize and label as a character flaw (being a workaholic) is, in fact, just someone who is (to some extent) in love with work.  That perhaps their work defines (at least to them) who they are.  That work for them is not just an activity, but a state of mind, which in turn is a state of being.

I don't claim to know or understand Mr. Biver any more than I know or understand the guy on the corner who asks me for my spare change.  Not unlike Ralph Lauren there is a very public Mr. Biver, and another guy who runs watch brands.  And in fairness, we all of us have some sort of duality of self.  I think what I am saying is that the watch game is (I suspect) a bit too ingrained into his persona for him to completely walk away.  The ties with LVMH have a few months to go until they are completely severed.  And I think we will see him again.  Now whether that is as the person who will shepherd a Patek change of ownership, the father who will help his son launch or take over his own brand, or simply launch a new thing completely his own without taking over?  Well that part still remains to be fleshed out.

And then again?  Maybe he really means it this time and he is done.
  
We shall wait, and we shall see.

What I'd Buy Myself - Part 3

As we continue with the Tempus Fugit "Anti-Holiday Gift Guide" format, another thing I would buy myself (and spoiler alert - I already did!), would be a pair of the new ilmia sneakers.

As I have said previously, I am a long-term fan of ilmia.  I know the CEO, he's a nice guy, and I think that the ilmia sneaker is something really special.  

What ilmia is offering is certainly something different - sneakers made by hand, in Europe, one pair at a time.  And as a child of Nike (and previously Adidas) I can tell you that there is indeed something to be said for consistency.  ilmia does not give you thousands of choices.  You can have two slightly different flavors of white, or black, or if you're particularly daring?  Brown.

Courtesy of ilmia

Not unlike the Adidas Rom or the Puma Roma, or the Nike Cortez, this is a fairly straight-forward, every day sneaker. 

I like ilmia for a LOT of reasons.  It is not flashy, it is not screaming for your attention.  You will note that you do not have to go and get an ilmia app so that you can be aware of the next "drop".  Simply put?  They've dropped!  You don't have to panic, or suffer through an unseemly case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).  You don't have to camp out in front of your favorite outlet overnight, in the cold, to purchase them.  There are no "signature" models... 

Okay, I take that back.  There is ONE signature model that I am aware of ; )

Now ultimately, ilmia is not for everyone.  And as my Mee-Maw used to say - "that's what makes a horse race".  

But, if you are not one to necessarily follow the crowd, and you want to treat your feet to something special?  I highly recommend them!

What I'd Buy Myself - Part 2

In a continuing effort to cut through the Payola noise that feeds the marketing & pr gas factories providing heat for the watch business, in my "anti-buying guide" outline, the next piece I would probably buy myself would be this one -

Courtesy of Holthinrichs

Now, try to picture this with a green ostrich leather strap and green lume for the hour and minute hand, and you have something that has been haunting my dreams since BaselWorld this past March.

Now in fairness, Holthinrichs Watches are not inexpensive, and they are not for everyone.  And maybe that's the point?  It would be easy to simply order stamped cases and dials, but that is not the way Michiel Holthinrich's mind works.  And thank goodness for that ; )

Although this is not a holiday gift guide, if you would like more info. on Holthinrichs you can find it here -

HOLTHINRICHS