The Latin phrase “in memoriam” is usually used instead of “in reminiscence of.” And to my thoughts, folks additionally use it to indicate departed who could also be gone however shouldn’t be forgotten.
Yearly folks working within the watch trade cross away, and types come and go.
Right here I’d like to focus on a particular few of these we misplaced in 2021.
RIP: Gino Cukrowicz, retailer and early investor in F.P. Journe
Gino Cukrowicz handed away on Could 6, 2021, in Singapore on the age of 61. He cofounded Ginotti with Thierry Maldague in 1987, a retail store in Antwerp, Belgium. Ginotti was one of many early retail areas in Europe to acknowledge the approaching period of impartial makers, which is maybe why he grew to become François-Paul Journe’s first enterprise accomplice.
Gino Cukrowicz along with his spouse (picture courtesy @ginoginotti)
Cukrowicz – recognized solely as “Gino” to most insiders – was a flamboyant persona and have become fairly influential within the watch amassing scene.
As an alternative of extra of my phrases, I would like to present you some written by Michael Tay, managing director of The Hour Glass, which he delivered as a eulogy at Gino’s funeral in Singapore.
“Gino was a watch man by and thru. I met Gino 22 years in the past and my first impressions of him had been that there was one thing incorrect with this particular person. He was something however watch trade conference. He dressed and behaved eccentrically and was perpetually cracking one joke after one other, laughing on a regular basis. Coming from Singapore, this all appeared slightly international. However as I spent extra time with him, I started to understand his humorousness, his nuances, his philosophy of life, and the way he meant to dwell it absolutely, leaving no room for remorse. Extra importantly, I grew to respect his scholarly data and fervour for watchmaking. The immense vitality he poured into increasing and elevating the watch trade in Belgium and past is admirable – particularly at a time when watch amassing was nonetheless largely a interest for nerds and a small coterie of males with white hair. He was one of many world’s really pioneering retail watch specialists.
“He took many dangers with new and younger watchmakers and was one of many early believers in those that at the moment are watchmaking legends reminiscent of Daniel Roth, Franck Muller, and François-Paul Journe. His perception in what François-Paul was doing was so robust that Gino grew to become a enterprise accomplice, and it’s clear FP couldn’t have requested for a extra loyal and affectionate good friend.
“Gino’s ardour for watchmaking consumed him and is what has outlined a lot of his grownup life. He has touched us all in so many various methods.”
RIP: Christian Pfeiffer-Belli, maybe the very first specialised watch journalist
I’m so unbelievably unhappy on the passing of this icon of watch journalism. It appeared that not directly Christian Pfeiffer-Belli was at all times there, an attention-grabbing and influential voice carried by a number of generations of watch journalism. In reality, he could properly have been the very first specialised watch journalist. I at all times loved his tales, his pleasant nature, and the recommendation (and anything) he was at all times keen to present upon being requested (however solely then).
Christian Pfeiffer-Belli (picture courtesy Ebner Media)
Pfeiffer-Belli handed away on December 9, 2021, on the age of 81 following years of sickness, which he largely simply (a minimum of outwardly) ignored, carrying on along with his beloved work till he not might. I really feel like I final talked to him just a few months in the past when he was researching one thing and known as to ask if I may need a photograph of a watch I had written about that he had discovered posted on the web. I hadn’t realized that between that telephone name and the information, which reached me a couple of days after his passing, that he had gone to hospice care. As a result of pandemic I final noticed him on the inauguration of the Walter Lange Memorial in Glashütte in September 2020.
Whether or not he was the primary watch journalist on this planet or simply the primary in Germany is immaterial all issues thought of. It started for him when in 1976 his boss at Callwey requested him to edit a small guide about clock restore. This coincidence, not in contrast to the coincidence that introduced me to the watch world as properly, was the kickoff of a profession spanning 45 years – a lifetime.
Pfeiffer-Belli started writing about mechanical watches close to the top of the Nineteen Seventies, proper within the time of the so-called quartz disaster, founding Alte Uhren in 1978, a “bible” of a quarterly journal for classic watches and clocks. Ebner Verlag took it over in 1994, renaming it Klassik Uhren. He additionally authored and co-authored numerous books.
Rüdiger Bucher of Chronos wrote an obituary in German highlighting the very human affect Pfeiffer-Belli had on all of us. He shall be sorely missed by all of us who knew and appreciated him.
RIP: Don Nunley, property grasp of Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monacos
Don Nunley handed away on February 11, 2021, on the age of 81. He was the property grasp of the film Le Mans starring Steve McQueen. Certainly one of Nunley’s most vital duties (in watch phrases, that’s) was sourcing and preserving observe of the Heuer Monaco chronographs worn by McQueen throughout filming.
Don Nunley on the set of ‘Le Mans’ (picture courtesy www.onthedash.com)
In Nunley’s reminiscence, see our unique interview that contributor Chris Malburg had with him earlier than he handed, which we first posted on June 26, 2018: The Actual Story Behind Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco: Unique Interview With ‘Le Mans’ Property Grasp Don Nunley.
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In Memoriam: Individuals And Manufacturers Who Left Us In 2018
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