The link between mechanical watches and cars is frequently made in car and watch magazines. But can I make the case for a closer connection – with the humble bicycle?
Here’s 10 reasons why:
Both are driven by human effort rather than fossil fuels.- Both give you the opportunity to marvel at a magnificent gear train or ‘escapement’ that transfers power to the wheels . You’d need a transparent gearbox to do that with a car.
- The base movements/gears for both are frequently sourced from a small number of specialist manufacturers. For ETA read Shimano, for Lemania read Campagnola.
- But the finished results are very different as individual companies produce unique small volume models.
- Both avoid the use of plastics in favour of high grade aluminium, steel or carbon fibre.
- Both are minimalist in design – with the emphasis on form following function.
- Both are manually operated – with no power assistance to dilute the experience.
- Both are subtle refinements of a well established basic design.
- Both cost anything upwards of £200 for a good one.
- Both can be collected without needing a warehouse to keep them in.
So, if you need to get fit, don’t bother with the gym membership. Buy yourself a bike and use a chronograph to time your rides.
