![CONTEMPORARY ALCHEMY](https://cdn.magzter.com/1399003723/1687339705/articles/oisk1Y_EJ1687354094433/CONTEMPORARY-ALCHEMY.jpg)
As children, we often learn about the strength of groups versus that of individuals, and a commonplace story on the subject goes like this: a single stick is easily broken, but get a bunch of them together and they get pretty tough. This becomes even more obvious when the individual sticks are bound tightly to each other, with strings for example. Apart from the metaphorical implications here, there are plenty of intriguing engineering propositions to consider, and it seems humans have been intrigued for a good long while about the possibilities.
If you are anything like us, you have taken a look at the image we have chosen to open with, the title and description (which we call a deck or a standfirst), to reasonably conclude that we are going to be diving deep into the composites this issue. No doubt this introduction will have reinforced this conclusion, but you would only be half right because we are actually covering crystals and composites. We have chosen this approach not because the materials are related (they are, but also not - it is complicated) but because they offer a brilliant visual contrast. For example, most of the images of watches in this special feature the typical weave of carbon fibre - perhaps the most famous composite material in watchmaking - and every single one is topped by sapphire crystal.
この記事は WOW Singapore の Issue 69 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は WOW Singapore の Issue 69 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
![When Imitation Is Criminal](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/ZKYPVpMUa1718885574556/crp_WHEN-IMITATION-IS-CRIMINAL.jpg)
When Imitation Is Criminal
In the second part of our special on the phenomenon of counterfeiting in watchmaking, we look at some surprising reasons behind consumer demand
![The Conversation: Greater Expectations](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/IjKECcNHA1718891867030/crp_THE-CONVERSATION-GREATER-EXPECTATIONS.jpg)
The Conversation: Greater Expectations
With Geneva Watch Week behind us, the editors exchange views on the novelty showcases, the novelties themselves and all the watch news that is fit to print and some that is not)
![GOLDEN HOURS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/slAl-dc4-1718891376712/GOLDEN-HOURS.jpg)
GOLDEN HOURS
The first timekeepers may not have been cased in any precious metal but, given how precious time is, gold and silver soon made their marks here
![FINE TIME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/EWjY90y7Y1718890552347/FINE-TIME.jpg)
FINE TIME
Precious metals promise to put the fine’ back into fine watchmaking, after years of being overshadowed by more prosaic materials. This special section continues the journey we began last issue, with a deep dive into that most desirable of all metals, gold. Of course, platinum is also back...
![RED DAWN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/TfLNAQbmJ1718890377675/RED-DAWN.jpg)
RED DAWN
Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th birthday of Spring Drive with a special edition Chronograph GMT SBGC275 with a unique dial
![NEW DEPTHS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/k-EhYL1ow1718890250004/NEW-DEPTHS.jpg)
NEW DEPTHS
Breguet surprises with the gem-set Marine Chronograph 5529, opening up new vistas for the collection
![NEW AND NOTED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/rp9tFp51t1718889857357/NEW-AND-NOTED.jpg)
NEW AND NOTED
As you might expect, we have been covering Watches and Wonders Geneva since it began as a physical fair in 2022 and of course when it was confined to the ether, from 2020.
![WORTH ITS WEIGHT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/vUXH4f2PS1718885006070/WORTH-ITS-WEIGHT.jpg)
WORTH ITS WEIGHT
TAG Heuer scored an unexpected win with the Carrera Chronograph Skipper in the recent past, so the brand returned it to regular production in steel last year. For 2024, red gold marks the Skipper's triumph
![OPEN SEASON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/iT7mH0jb21718889475182/OPEN-SEASON.jpg)
OPEN SEASON
The world's biggest and most important watch fair gets a little bigger and a little better. As for the watches, they got more than a little precious...
![GREAT LEAP FORWARD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6288/1739404/KYU7tg5J91718889391703/GREAT-LEAP-FORWARD.jpg)
GREAT LEAP FORWARD
With the Portugieser Eternal Calendar, WC demonstrates its mastery in the realms of the calendar and moon phase complications