Evening all. Improvement by Edgar Albert Guest.
The joy of life is living it, or so it seems to me;
In finding shackles on your wrists, then struggling till you’re free;
In seeing wrongs and righting them, in dreaming splendid dreams,
Then toiling till the vision is as real as moving streams.
The happiest mortal on the earth is he who ends his day
By leaving better than he found to bloom along the way.
Were all things perfect here there would be naught for man to do;
If what is old were good enough we’d never need the new.
The only happy time of rest is that which follows strife
And sees some contribution made unto the joy of life.
2. There are so many little improvements we make along the way. Things I am absolutely sure are of no interest to anyone. But many times I have been proved wrong on what I thought interesting. For example, we have improved the anti-reflective coating on our crystals in line with modern technology. In fact the coatings are now the most advanced found anywhere in the watch and lens industries within the confines of practicality; ie they are touched, rubbed and bashed. We have improved our movement holder, mainly to suit our watchmaker, new British made watches like the Beaters and Strange Lights now have this fitted. It makes not an iota of difference to you, but the watchmaker was just a little happier assembling it. We recently improved our Drivers which have not made it to the website yet. Packaging has had an overhaul and frankly some things like the new (organic, Fair Trade, Soil Association certified) cotton bags that the watches and forthcoming SWC SWC will come in really tickle my fancy and make me smile. Why was it not done before? But like Edgar says above, if I got it 100% first time I would have nothing to do all day.
3. From Escapement magazine; …Giles states that he has a ‘love of Japan, its people and their traditions’. Having visited Japan myself, I share Giles’ opinion. Moreover, I adore his original, engraved composition to the rear of the watch.
I totally understand Giles’ rationale for honouring Japan, its incredibly friendly citizens and its artisanal prowess. The Schofield Bronze Beater B4 Japanese edition is an impressive watch, especially considering its modest pricing…
4. Back to improvements of a sort, this is the drawing for a rollerball conversion kit for the P-2. It is actually rather ingenious; the fountain pen nib and filler is replaced by a screw-in module and pressurised rollerball cartridge, the type from the Space Pen fame that writes upside down and underwater. Any P-2 can be converted, back and forth or bought with the choice of either. It is being made now and ready next month.
5. Improvements again! Polishing cloths! I know, I’m on it! This character has been around for a long time. Originally from an old Japanese match book design, he makes an appearance here in a slightly threatening way, double sided, brushed, recycled polyester with sewn edges and printed both sides! Such extravagance! Hot damn, have you ever seen anything as cool?
6. P-2 focus, Ally. Ally is the heaviest version, nickel-plated aluminium with all metal fittings. It really is something. If you prefer some weight and presence in your pen then this is the one. It is ready to go.
