It is of course impossible to avoid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and here at the BHI we are still working remotely to get the Horological Journal to print each month (which is a pleasure to do). Watch lovers will surely know by now that the Baselworld watch fair has been cancelled for 2021 and the current branding dropped. COVID-19 certainly played a role in this, but the story is more complex than that, as can be seen in this issue’s analysis of the situation by industry expert Martin Foster.
This issue also concludes our series by Thomas Koenig and other co-authors about the IWC Mark 11, which has been receiving very positive responses from watch-loving readers since it started in March. Meanwhile, for clock experts and enthusiasts, Philip Kuchel gives a detailed account of the duplex escapement in a skeleton clock inspired by the work of James Condliff of Liverpool and Colin Fergusson has the latest in his ongoing project on Harrison’s regulator.
It is still a time of turmoil, but we hope that there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. Here at the BHI, we are keen to restart our on-site clock and watchmaking courses to continue training horologists from beginner to expert level, as we have done for over 160 years. Safety, however, is of course the priority. We continue to stay updated with Government rules and guidelines, and will restart our courses and exams once it is permitted and safe to do so.
In the meantime, our Distance Learning Courses for clocks and watches are still available – please do get in touch if you’re interested in finding out more.
Rachel Reeves, Editor, The Horological Journal