Louis Cartier invented the original Tank watch in 1917, its shape inspired partly by the French-made Renault FT-17 tank used during World War I. Cartier has been making various versions of the distinctive timepiece ever since, while others have followed suit with more or less similarly shaped watches that evince similar classic style.

       A tank might sound like a strange source of inspiration for jeweler, nevertheless, Cartier took the small, maneuverable frame of the Renault FT17, making point of its modernist lines– and brought a true classic to the world’s main stage. Jacqueline Kennedy & Andy Warhol are just a few who went on to choose tanks as their style equal

Cartier is viewed as one of the most lofty gems producers on the planet. In 2018, it was positioned by Forbes as the world’s 59th most significant brand.

Cartier’s noteworthiness may be due, in no small part, to its long history of offers to sovereignty. Lord Edward VII of Great Britain alluded to Cartier as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.”

Shop Royally, & Shop True at TrueFacet–to find more of these revolutionizing and iconic watches

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

The chronograph remains to this day one of the more complicated features a watch can possess–as well as requiring as much interaction from its owner than any other. Invented by Louis Monet in 1816, the chronograph’s original intent, was for the tracking of  astronomical objects. Chronograph watches can be extremely complicated devices, but they all have the basic function of telling and tracking time.

The modern day chronograph works by pushing a start button, normally located at the two o’clock position, to begin recording time, and by pushing the same button to stop the recording. When the button is pushed to start the recording, a series of three (in more complicated and more precise chronographs there are more wheels) train like wheels start turning, mimicking the mechanics of the powerful engine–the chronograph is simply and quite literally art in movement. 

Shop True, shop chrono–and find your own moving beauty. 

Breitling has had an incredible journey.

Like many traditional watch manufacturers, Breitling has its roots in the jura mountains of the nineteenth century.
Yet Breitling’s story is far from conventional. Having survived two world wars & the great depression era, the brand has had to reinvent itself numerous times. Even so, it has always remained faithful to its core belief in providing extreme accuracy in extreme conditions.

• Breitling was established in 1884 by the talented young watchmaker Léon Breitling. Léon was just 24 years old when he founded the company.  In less than a decade after launching the company, Léon moved headquarters to a new factory employing over 60 people.
• In 1915, Breitling developed the first wristwatch chronograph.
• The name “Breitling” didn’t appear on the dials of the watches until over 40 years later after company was founded, in the late 1920s.
• In 1930, Breitling launched the patented Vitesse stopwatch, which was so accurate that police officers used it to clock speeding motorists.

• The company has weathered two major storms in its 130 year history. Both the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Quartz Crisis of the late 1970s nearly sank the business.
• Breitling’s SuperQuartz technology, launched in 2001, is ten times more accurate than standard Quartz. As such, they’re the only electronic movements on the market able to meet COSC requirements.
• In 1969, Breitling invented the self-winding chronograph movement, an invention vital to the continued success of the Swiss watch industry.
• The company has weathered two major storms in its 130 year history. Both the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Quartz Crisis of the late 1970s nearly sank the business.

Image Via Fratellowatches.com

• The Breitling Emergency wristwatch, launched in 1995 and still available to this day, features a built-in micro-transmitter for use during emergencies. This feature makes Breitling popular with Daredevils & Adventurers
• In 1939, Breitling shipped large quantities of chronographs to the Royal Air Force for use in aircraft. This is what led to Breitling becoming one of the best known manufacturers of aviation timepieces. Breitling further cemented its role as the timepiece creator for pilots when it developed the “navigation computer” in 1952, which was able to handle all the calculations needed for a flight plan.

Throughout the better part of two Centuries Breitling has proven time and time again, that there is a reason for its famed longevity as well as its regality. Take a deep dive into one of history’s favorite watches, and find one of your own, here at TrueFacet!

Its Warm Hue Complements Any Skin Tone.

Rose Gold is one of the warmest tones of metal you can find, with a calm, soothing effect. Its warm rose hue complements virtually every skin tone, as it brings out the blush tone of one’s skin.

Not only does Rose gold make a bold statement, but also offers a romantic feel that is simply stunning for any occasion. The subtle pink pastel hue of rose gold creates a sophisticated feminine look anyone would love. The feminine look of rose gold makes it a great choice for engagement rings and other romantic and momentous pieces for love. 

Though it looks best when paired with soft pastels and neutral colors, rose gold can compliment any outfit! Rose gold pieces are the ideal accessory for a casual summer day outfit, as well as chic nights out on the town in the dead of winter!

It Plays Well With Others.

Since rose gold complements other metal tones  as well. Any & all devoted followers of fashion are no longer bound by one metal or another in a given outfit. With rose gold you can mix and match metals—so layer and stack away! 

It Looks Stunning with Diamonds, Gems or Pearls.

Rose gold complements more than just skin tones—it looks dazzling with diamonds, gems or pearls

Warm tones of rose gold make the perfect accent for men’s jewelry and watches as well. The unexpected color gives a unique touch. Thanks to the fashion industry, rose gold has finally come into its own. This new-found classic allows the wearer to mix and match metals freely, and offers a unique look that can’t be matched! For these reasons and many more, rose gold is  the perfect addition to any jewelry collection

Cooler weather doesn’t just mean unpacking your winter wear from the top shelf of the closet. Out comes the moodier side of the color palette and the opportunity to pair more articles of clothing together to either combine or collide.

And where do your accessories play into the combination of the total look? Pull your outfit together by putting the finishing touches on with the pieces and styles below.

Abstract and Geometric Pieces

Just like works of art, these pieces will bring not just refinery and beauty to your desired look. These shapes are out of the box, and though they’re minimal in design they still have a certain edge to them that have just the right amount of drama.

Bib Necklaces and Chokers

It’s not news that trends from the 90s have been trickling back into the mainstream. Chokers are making a comeback if you’ve been noticing streetwear on the way to the office or people watching on a night out. This necklace style can be worn casually, but also with a formal look (especially if your choker is made from solid gold). Pair it with a simple formal look, or a dramatic gown the choker is the perfect accent. For a similar, yet more dramatic look opt instead for a bib necklace to capture the attention of the room

Tassel Earrings &  Necklaces

Tassels are all over the runways. Dripping with stones or metal chains, they can add bohemian charm, edgy elegance or a victorian vibe to any any outfit.

Pops of Color

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean the color from your wardrobe has to be. But instead of the brighter colors that come to mind during the hotter months, swap your mindset for the broodier colors for the crisper months.

This Fall, longtime fans and audiences around the world will slip on their gloves and travel back to early twentieth century Yorkshire County. The Crawley Family and their household will make their debut on the silver screen this September 26th. Accompanying the characters is their signature style.

To capture the elegance and refinery of the Crawleys, we’ve curated a collection of items that inspire one to bring out their inner Countess or Marchioness. All Downton Abbey images via Pinterest.

Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham

The matriarch of the Crawley Family favors elegant long necklaces and earrings that dangle.

Lady Mary Josephine Talbot

Lady Mary’s name has been synonymous with beauty and grace. The eldest of the Crawley daughters is also known for her edge.

The Marchioness of Hexham

Intelligent and romantic, Edith Pelham’s style influences one to draw from their feminine side.

Mechanical Movements

Unlike quartz watches, mechanical watches don’t use a battery to power the movement. They are either manually wind by hand daily (Manual) by turning a knob on the side of the watch (Crown) or are self-wound by a swinging weight (rotor) while being worn.

In essence, a mechanical watch is powered by a tightly wound coil (Mainspring) that slowly releases energy as it unwinds. This energy is transferred to the rest of the movement to power the hands that tell time and any other complications of the watch including the date or chronograph. Each part of the watch plays an important role in controlling the speed, tension and energy stored by the mainspring.

A series of gears (Geartrain) transfers energy from the mainspring to a toothed wheel and lever mechanism (Escapement). The escape wheel releases the energy at equal intervals to a pivoting escapement lever. The pivoting of the lever is controlled by a weighted wheel (Balance Wheel) connected to very fine coil (Hairsping) that “beats” back and forth at a steady rate anywhere between 18,000 and 36,000 times per hour.

To reduce the friction of the moving parts, synthetic rubies (Jewels) are added where parts come into contact with each other and in the center of wheels. Lubricant is also added to the entire movement to extend the life of the movement and its parts. 

Wearing Your Automatic Watch

Depending on how often you wear your watch and how active you are when you do wear it, you may need to wind the it 1-2 times per week to maintain sufficient power reserve. This is especially true with older watches. When fully wound, most mechanical watches have a power reserve of between 36 and 42 hours. This timeframe is extended when being worn on an active wrist. 

1. Wind the watch off your wrist to minimize stress on the winding stem.
2. Unscrew the crown by turning it towards you (if applicable). 
3. Gently pull the crown out 1 click to the winding position. The hands shouldn’t move while you turn it clockwise about 20-40 times.
4. Remember to securely screw the crown back down properly against the case if applicable. 
5. Wear the watch to maintain power level.

The Truth About Watch Winders

When you keep your automatic watch in a watch winder, it will gently rotate the watch to keep the mainspring wound and running so it’s ready to go without needing to reset the date or time. Many people like the convenience and use their watch winder to display their watches when not in use, but it’s not a necessity for your watch collection.

Some experts say to avoid putting your vintage timepieces on a watch winder because  they were not built to have their mainspring fully wound at all times and it could reduce the lifetime of the movement. 

If you are interested in getting a watch winder, we like the ones by Wolf Designs. The company has been in business since 1834 and they will even install custom watch winders for your closet, wall, or safe.

Introduced in 2012, the Sky-Dweller was the perfect watch for the traveling businessman. Although one of Rolex’s most complicated watches, the sophisticated styling set it apart from its more sporty counterparts. At the time, it was only available in precious metals and was one of their more expensive models.

The functionality of the fluted ring command bezel improved long term water resistance by reducing the need for additional pushers to access the various complications. Instead of using an additional hand to indicate the secondary time zone or having a designated window listing the month, Rolex redesigned the dial for a more streamlined approach. The annual calendar accounted for the differing number of days in various months, meaning wearers only needed to manually adjust their watch once a year, at the end of February.

In 2017, Rolex released two Rolesor versions of the Sky-Dweller. Rolesor being the company term for mixed metal watches. A stainless steel version with white gold fluted dial and a two tone stainless steel and yellow gold version were added to the collection. The stainless steel version retailed for about half the price of the all gold models, making it more accessible and therefore highly sought after. The roman numeral markers were updated to baton markers to further simplify the dial’s appearance.

Ring Command Bezel

While the ring command bezel debuted on the Yacht-Master II, the expanded functionality and integrated styling on the Sky-Dweller set it apart. Linked directly to the winding crown, each counter-clockwise quarter turn of the bezel unlocked a different function on the watch. From the start position, rotating the bezel to the third position activated the 24 hour disc, the second position allowed the local time to be set, and the first position let you set the month and date.

This unique dial design removed the need to have additional pushers on the watch which helped the long term durability of the watch’s water resistance. The single position crown also helped reduce wear and tear to the stem and crown.

The Dial

Instead of using an additional hand to indicate the secondary time zone, Rolex used an inverted red triangle to mark the time on its 24 hour sub wheel. With this design, there was no need for a designated 24 hour hand or additional markings on the edge of the dial or bezel.

Typically, the month is displayed in a separate window that takes up valuable real estate on the dial. For this watch, Rolex utilized the correlation between the 12 hour markers and the numerical value of the (1-12) of each month. The current month is indicated in a small window next to the hour marker in a contrasting color. The annual calendar also accounts for fluctuations in the days of the month, meaning wearers only need to manually adjust the date once a year, at the end of February.

GMT/Reference Time:

Unscrew the crown counterclockwise and pull it out to the first notch.
Turn the bezel counter clockwise to the 3rd position (as far as it can go).
Turning the crown in either direction will set the 24-hour disc and the minute hand (the hour hand will also move but that will be adjusted in the next step).
Spin the bezel clockwise back to the start position.
Push and screw the crown back down in a clockwise direction to secure.

Local Time:

Unscrew the crown counterclockwise and pull it out to the first notch.
Turn the bezel counter clockwise to the 2nd position.
Turn the crown to set the hour (the minute and 24 hour disc shouldn’t move). You can turn the crown in either direction, but changing the hour in the clockwise direction will allow you to determine if it’s set to AM/PM after passing 12.
Spin the bezel clockwise back to the start position.
Push and screw the crown back down in a clockwise direction to secure.

Month And Date:

Unscrew the crown counterclockwise and pull it out to the first notch.
Turn the bezel counter clockwise to the 1st position.
Turning the crown in either direction will set the month (indicated by the highlighted window at the month’s corresponding numeric value above the hour markers).
Once the month has been selected, continue to rotate the crown for the correct date.
Spin the bezel clockwise back to the start position.
Push and screw the crown back down in a clockwise direction to secure.