AT LARGE QUALITY TIME Blancpain Villeret demi-fuseau horaire 8 jours TEXT MATT MORLEY
For some, it may be tempting to see this clever piece of timekeeping from Blancpain as a reflection of India’s increasing importance on the world stage in general and the luxury watch industry in particular. For the Villeret demi-fuseau is capable of adjusting its second time zone display in 30minute increments, an essential travelling tool for the dapper gentleman when in India, a country where half-hour time differences between regions are the norm. Interpreting the watch’s raison d'être this way however, would be to miss the point completely. Blancpain makes some of the most restrained, elegant and precious pieces in the world. It’s a brand with close on 300 years of history behind it and a reputation as one of the greatest remaining bastions of the haute horlogerie art in existence. So when these particular men in white coats decide to launch a watch like this, there is no need to go looking for a fancy story; it’s a sublime piece of craftsmanship, plain and simple. Powered by a 324-part self-winding calibre movement entirely developed by the Blancpain manufacture in le Brassus, Switzerland, it will run for eight days straight on a single charge if required. Thanks to the sapphire glass case back, the guilloché-
worked oscillating weight (essentially a delicate ridging effect on the movement) responsible for generating all that stored kinetic energy is fully visible on the reverse. A brown alzavel-lined alligator strap for extra comfort is laced to a 42mm white or red gold case with a domed, enamelled white dial and painted hour markers. The reference time — ie the second time zone — is displayed at 12 o’clock in a sub-dial. This combines with a day-night indicator at 9 o’clock and the date indicator at 6 o’clock, both changing in accordance with the second time zone. The whole ensemble oozes sophistication and should appeal to true connoisseurs looking for a prestigious timepiece without the big brand connotations of a Patek Philippe or an Audemars Piguet.
Case: 42mm white or red gold Movement: 5235DF calibre Strap: brown alligator Features: second time zone with half-hour time differences Distributor: Bellagio Jewellers, 011 883 2215, www.bellagiojewellers.co.za Price: R420 000 (white or rose gold)
UNEXCITED FARE Possum’s Bistro and Deli TEXT JONATHAN CANE PHOTOGRAPHY GARETH JACOBS
During the 80s we had a family friend. She was very ‘creative’. That is to say she had mismatched earrings, was ahead-of-the-curve in her decoupage and shook our suburban world when she brought salad with edible flowers to the Sunday braai. Everyone always said she should have a shop. In 1982 the edible flower was a revolutionary
Potato salad
statement: an attack on iceberg lettuce, on mediocrity, family life, the government, the church. In 2012 fancy salads are an attack on good sense, and on me. That Possum’s Bistro and Deli has received generally glowing reviews and patronage is a reflection of the sad state of eating out in Johannesburg and of restaurants in Parkhurst. That Possum’s is quaint, and indeed sincere and not untasty is not up for question, but that it would be billed as part of the Parkhurst Village renaissance probably shows the lack of imagination with which we have come to approach food. My recent lunch was generally enjoyable. I started with a nice potato salad, which was lifted from home cooking status by the white preserved anchovies (which I love). The main course of lamb meatballs had a most peculiar texture and yellow colour — they were over salsaed and garnished with crispy apple. The presentation of the food was overly precious, replete with creatively shaped plates. The same can be said of the interior. The service is super friendly and warm. Owner Karen Staples is proud of her organic herbs and the provenance of her ingredients, and I have no doubt this bistro-style spot will attract many deli shoppers and eaters, especially dog owners and lovers who will find that dog-friendly restaurants are places for people much less cantankerous than me.
Possum’s Bistro and Deli, 7 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 011 447 4751
41 FEBRUARY 2012
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