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THE CURVE SUMMER 2019 STYLE CRYSTAL AMAZE The introduction of industrial sapphire to watchmaking a generation ago led to sapphire crystal casebacks that enabled connoisseurs to admire the intricacies of mechanical movements. Thanks to advances in manufacturing processes since, watchmakers can now machine entire cases out of this scratch-resistant material – the second hardest material after diamond. And the spectacular results are, ahem, clear to see. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WIZARDRY WITHIN... MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Alien Nation In creator Max Büsser’s idiosyncratic imagination, this crystal spaceship is manned by six aliens, all crafted from white gold and stationed across the case of the watch. The case is machined out of 12 separate blocks of sapphire crystal in a process that takes up to 510 hours, not including their assembly. Incidentally, the original HM6 was inspired by the shape of 1970s anime cult favourite Captain Future’s spacecraft. Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon Known for pioneering work on coloured sapphire cases, Hublot unveiled this model at Baselworld 2018. Transparency is the watchword: the case, strap and tourbillon bridge are all colourless. The 45mm case is machined from sapphire crystal, the tourbillon bridge in the movement is carved out of sapphire, and even the strap is made from transparent rubber. Bell & Ross BR X-1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire After showing off its first sapphire crystal encased watch in 2016 with the BR X-1 Chronograph Tourbillon Sapphire, this French brand best known for aviation-inspired timepieces went a step further and bared all. This timepiece has an open worked movement that leaves little to the imagination. The case is carved from five blocks of sapphire held together by screws. Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30º Technique Sapphire As if a Greubel Forsey movement wasn’t complicated enough, this timepiece features a solid sapphire case machined from a single block of crystal. The boutique haute horology brand is known for elaborate multi-tier movements, and a sapphire crystal case is perfect for those who want to take a closer look at all the mechanical wizardry within. Bovet Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One This elaborately engineered new launch combines a sapphire version of Bovet’s characteristic sloped case that is inspired by the shape of a writing desk. The bezel, case band and crystal are made entirely of sapphire, while the back bezel and lugs are made from Grade 5 titanium. A threedimensional moon phase is one of its many gorgeous complications. 12 THE JAGUAR

STYLE EYES ON THE PRIZE What do you get when you combine two world-famous style icons with a spectacles designer of unparalleled pedigree? Eyewear that stands the test of time. In 1965, fashion photographer David Bailey shot actor Michael Caine in his studio wearing a pair of thick-rimmed Oliver Goldsmith Lord glasses. Updated for 2019 and with tinted lenses, these sunglasses capture the essence of a seminal moment – and, just like Caine himself, remain an undisputed style icon. olivergoldsmith.com STORIES: NITIN NAIR, CHRIS STOKEL-WALKER IMAGES: OLIVER GOLDSMITH SUNGLASSES, FLUIDITY TECHNOLOGIES INC TECHNOLOGY DRONE RANGER INNOVATION BIKE TO THE FUTURE The world’s most advanced electric motorcycle has been unveiled by British firm Arc, which is backed by Jaguar Land Rover’s tech business InMotion. The Vector is an all-electric superbike with 360 miles of range. Weighing just 220kg, its 395Nm of torque can hurl it to 60mph in 3.1sec. The Vector takes the idea of manand-machine-as-one to the next level: ride info is viewed through a head-up display in the helmet, which also acts as the ignition key, while ride feedback is via electronics in your jacket. Scott Parazynski knows a thing or two about flying: the former NASA astronaut is a veteran of five Space Shuttle flights. He’s also an avid drone flyer but, despite his years of highstakes space flight, found the traditional method of controlling drones – two thumb controllers on a bulky handheld panel – difficult to master. So he created a company, Fluidity, and the FT Aviator, a joystick that mimics the kind of controls professional aircraft pilots have in their cockpit. “Within 30 seconds we can teach anyone how to fly a complex manoeuvre like a figure-of-eight,” says Parazynski. The FT Aviator can control a drone on four different planes of movement with a single hand, while a situational display mounted on the top of the stick means pilots can always know where they are. For those using drones to get the perfect aerial video or photo, there are advanced camera controls within the base of the controller. The stick is compatible with most DJI drones, but Parazynski wants to go further: he hopes the technology he has developed can one day help direct machines used in robotic surgery. THE JAGUAR 13