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Nov 07

VandM

Posted in: antiques, furnituredesign, swiss

Ten antiques less than $200 from the online destination for vintage and modern homewares

Founded in 2006, VandM (Vintage and Modern) is a membership-based online sales site with a passion for treasures from the past, specializing in unique and original furniture, household goods, jewelry and textiles. VandM provides insightful editorial notes to inspire and educate members about most pieces available for sale. While browsing VandM’s wide selection we selected 10 of our favorite antiques priced less than $200.

The Vintage Terracotta Head and signed Op-Art abstract photograph stand out in the art and photography section. The unglazed bust seems at once rustic and mysterious, while the signed 16″x16″ print—dated 1969—shares a similar color palette to work by famed Danish designer Verner Panton.

An elegant pair of Willy Guhl Dietker & Co chairs by the Swiss architect and furniture designer were produced by Deitker & Co. in 1959, and for just $200 for the set represent an excellent deal. Juxtaposing the classic mid-century style is a industrial work station on wheels, with cast-iron legs and wooden shelves for $185.

Falling under the category of “found object of industry,” this large, 1950s-era botanical chart ($200) from Dr. Louis Auzoux offers easy-to-read scientific illustrations of nine intriguing species of flora. On the other hand, the Op-Art bull’s-eye-patterned velvet pillows—only available in the 20″x14″ size for $180—hail from the bold-design era of the 1960s. Each cushion is hand-sewn in Zurich, Switzerland with premium vintage fabric.

This Swiss-made adjustable table lamp and Wilhelm Kienzie-designed metal storage box follow the Bauhaus design mantra that form should equal function, and each is beautifully crafted for maximum use. Both items retail for $180.

With the characteristic flare of its country of origin, the single statement-making vintage Italian glass lamp, priced at $195, remains in excellent condition. A set of antique Bakelite flatware features classic two-tone color combination of opaque honey and translucent dark teal. Dating back to the 1940s, this stainless steel set serves six and comes in its original box for $145.

Oct 05

MB&F Legacy Machine No. 1

Posted in: craftsmanship, mbf, swiss

Maximilian Büsser’s advanced-tech wristwatch inspired by the intricate craftsmanship of early-19th-century pocket watches

Maximilian Büsser always keeps the watch world and his fans guessing about his next creation and its inspiration. (Previous models took whimsical cues from his childhood robot toys, jet fighters and Star Wars.) Speculation on his next numbered creation, assumed to be the fifth in his series of Horological Machines, reached iPhone levels in the watch world. But what was actually going on in Büsser’s mind was much more of a throwback than his usual radical watch reinventions.

An appreciation for the craftsmanship of 19th-century “statement” pocket watches led him to wonder what he would have created were he born 100 years ago, near the peak of watchmaking’s era of technical innovation. This question was the root of his desire to add a second product line, and yesterday he announced the first in that line, the Legacy Machine No. 1.

Büsser acts as visionary and creative director, enlisting the help of some of horology’s most innovative and respected craftspeople. It’s the head-scratching kind of scene you’d love to watch taking place as Büsser describes his vision and the need for as-yet unimagined movements and mechanics. His all-star crew for the Legacy Machine No. 1 includes Jean-François Mojon and his team at Chronode, who designed the movement from scratch. Kari Voutilainen, a highly regarded watchmaker and artisan, created the watch’s aesthetics and the many handcrafted finishes. The movement of the Legacy Machine No. 1 includes both of their names—a rare occurrence.

Most probably aren’t aware that nearly all of the complications that exist, and their engineering, were designed a long time ago. (A complication is anything other than the time—the date, chronograph, time zones, alarms, moon phases, etc.) Unique to the Legacy Machine No. 1 are a few twists. The most obvious is the three-dimensional movement, which brings the balance wheel, often hidden in the middle of the movement, to the top, literally; it hangs suspended from a bridge over the dials themselves. It’s like putting a car’s engine in the driver’s seat.

Like its source of inspiration, the 14-millimeter balance wheel resembles those of larger pocket watches—which have a larger wheel that runs more slowly than those in wristwatches. Another first are the two totally independent time zones. Other time zone complications allow you to change only the hour (and a few the half hour), but no others allow you to have two completely different times set and controlled by a single regulator. While this may be more of a technical than practical feat, it’s noteworthy nonetheless. Lastly, the power reserve complication is vertical—a world first and something that normally is represented by a hand or a wheel instead looks like a ski jump.

The LM1’s advanced technology, unconventional aesthetic and masterful engineering make this a must-have for serious collectors, and a wish list item for those of us without the $92,000 to acquire one. Visit MB&F for purchasing information and details.

Also on CH: The MB&F Horological Machine No. 2 and the MB&F Horological Machine No. 3

Apr 20

Chair

Posted in: swiss

Switzerland’s newest design trio debuts their dead simple chair designed for taking it easy

A simple concept with an equally simple name, “Chair” has an extended backrest, designed so you can easily throw your arm over it and relax. Easily stackable and with a straightforward geometric form, on first take Chair looks like it might be one of Ikea’s more high-quality products. But, the brainchild of Arnault Weber, Camille Blin and Emmanuel Mbesse—the industrious trio behind the newly-formed A C E studio—the chair is actually produced by local artisans in Vaud, Switzerland with the designers overseeing every step. Nothing short of fully considered design, the sensible seat is the cornerstone of their Collection 1, a six-piece series of furniture made from Swiss ash that includes shelves, tables and lighting.

Weber explains the Lausanne-based project has its roots in a shared desire to “change the Swiss design scene. We really want to work together with designers from our generation and edit their work and also work with more famous designers.” A C E serves as both design studio and a platform for collaborators to sell their works.

The price for Chair is around €500, and can be ordered through the A C E website.

Mar 15

Kiener Toys

Posted in: mobiles, swiss

Lo-fi animated music boxes handmade in Switzerland

Kathrin Kiener practically grew up in her uncle’s timber yard, sweeping floors and in the process falling in love with all things wood—so much so that she founded Kiener Toys. Today, the 30-year-strong Swiss company handcrafts clever wooden toys; from mobiles to dolls that wobble, each charming and sturdily-constructed plaything can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. We particularly like the Musikwürfel (music box) collection, some of which cleverly animate wooden scenes, like flowers or snowboarders, to the music.

While more costly than most toys (prices span $30-120), the quality and care that goes into each toy makes them heirloom pieces. Kiener also works with “Das Werk- und Wohnhaus,” a Swiss program that employs socially and mentally impaired men and women to work as carpenters crafting the toys.

Kiener Toys sell internationally from Swissmade and from Funshop in Korea, as well as at stores around Switzerland.

Mar 02

Flying high design

Posted in: swiss

Sulla tratta Zurigo-Dusseldorf il nostro amico Andrea Tallone, ha ricevuto in cadeau questo mattoncino di cioccolato. Notare l’accurato design del packaging…gli svizzeri per queste cose, mi fanno impazzire!!!

Flying high design

Nov 26

Olaf Breuning

Posted in: olaf breuning, swiss

Coup de coeur pour le photographe suisse Olaf Breuning, basé à New York et à Zurich. Une mise en ligne sur son portfolio de ces nouvelles séries et de nombreux clichés avec beaucoup d’humour. Entre réel et fiction, plus d’images de son travail dans la suite de l’article.