What Factors Contribute to the Growing Complexity of Watches?

With its 20 different complications, beautifully divided on two dial faces, the Grandmaster Chime offers a stunning array of features including grande and petite sonnerie, a minute-repeater, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar.

While not a watchmaker himself, Mr. Getreide, known for his remarkable OAK watch collection consisting of approximately 600 unique pieces, recognizes the greatness of this timepiece. (OAK representing “one of a kind,” with many of his pieces showcased at a Design Museum exhibition in London in 2022.)

Although Mr. Getreide’s collection mainly consists of rare and modest watches, both vintage and modern, his recent acquisition of the Grandmaster Chime has propelled him into the realm of more intricate timepieces. Jokingly, he mentioned during a video call that he would wear it to impress people he dislikes, but his true passions lie elsewhere – his dogs, soccer games, and his family.

Despite relying on experts to explain the details and intricacies of his watch collection, Mr. Getreide admitted that their explanations often slip away from his mind, as his emotional connection plays a significant role in his choices.

According to Swiss psychoanalyst and historian of ideas Dr. Daniel Strassberg, author of the book “Spektakuläre Maschinen” (“Spectacular Machines,” published in 2022), watches and clocks encompass much more than meets the eye.

During an interview at his practice in Zurich, Dr. Strassberg emphasized the profound impact of the mechanical clock, stating, “It was one of the most important machines ever designed, shaping an entire world of thought. A watch holds a special place that distinguishes it from cars or jewels.”

Further delving into the symbolism, Dr. Strassberg explained, “The watch carries an ancient mythological, and even theological, meaning. Clocks granted us independence from God and nature, as they produced the time they measured, separate from the time created by God. Since the 17th century, we have felt like masters of nature, and the watch stands as the ultimate symbol of our dominion over time.”