Watchonista Staff Picks: Our Favorite Watch-Related Instagram Posts of 2022 (So Far)

When I first saw the IG Reel from @singaporewatchclub about the insane Harry Winston Opus 3 in my feed, I was instantly amazed by its composition and play on speed.
 

If the above video posted on February 6th is not the absolute example of the style, originality, and, above all, the relevancy of this creation, then I don’t know what is. Why? Because “jumping” mechanisms are in extreme demand right now, especially jump-seconds and jump-minutes. However, most of these uber-cool beauties are now broken or sleeping somewhere in a safe. So it’s also a miracle to have found a collector able to provide a working specimen of legendary Opus 3 by Vianney Halter.

Look, I am passionate about timepieces, and covering them is what pays the bills around here. However, I treat my Insta-Life more as recreational than vocational. But artist Dan Tanenbaum, a.k.a. @watchpartsmotorscycles, has a special place in my heart.

Watchonista colleague Rhonda Riche turned me onto her fellow Torontonian last year. And I was instantly fascinated by his unexpected use of watch parts to create art, fashion, and…um…things that aren’t watches. Dubbing himself an “horological artist,” Tanenbaum’s creations are at once lovely, inventive, thought-provoking, and humorous.
 

He posts frequently, so there is always something new to enjoy. But my definite favorite from the past six months is the above miniature Vespa he made out of what I believe is a vintage Elgin.

One of my favorite posts this year is from man-about-town, and dear friend, Matt Hranek. Posted in May to his Instagram account, @wmbrownproject, the below image was shot by Stephen Lewis for his book A Man & His Watch.
 

While the watch in question – Fred Astaire's Cartier Cintree - is certainly beautiful in its own right, this photograph really captures the emotion behind the piece and the engraving. The photo says that this watch has a story to tell, and that's one of the primary reasons I am drawn to vintage watches. I love the lives they have lived and the stories they have to tell; and that is the ethos behind Matt's book.

My favorite post so far in 2022 was by @playdohopulence, run by Caroline Butterworth. She makes everything from Birkins to Petrossian caviar tins (and even the swim deck at Eden Rock). However, there is the catch: All her creations are made out of playdoh.
 

I love the irreverence, but I also adore the sheer creativity, especially when she makes watches. Naturally, I was drawn to the iced-out Royal Oak and the Cartier Crash she constructed, but the above RM11-01 Flyback Roberto Mancini takes the cake (or should I say dough?).

I’ve been a longtime fan of the eclectic collection of vintage timepieces featured on @little.old.watches, but her ring watches really blow my mind.
 

Then, on June 29th, she posted an incredible Southwestern turquoise piece set with a tiny Caravelle cocktail watch, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

I really like the IG Reel @phillipswatches posted on March 25th. In it, they invite budding watch enthusiast @watch_it_with_amandine to give her personal take on some of the lots up for sale at the Geneva Watch Auction XIV.
 

The video begins in purposefully uninspiring style, with Aurel Bacs giving a staid and stuffy introduction to the history of the Royal Oak before the auction legend stops to hand over to Amandine. The youngster then shines as she gives her fresh, unfiltered thoughts on the MB&F HM6, Ming x Massena LAB, Rolex Deep Sea Special, Bulgari Octo Finissimo, and Harry Winston Opus 1. Showing passion, great taste, and a precocious knowledge of watches, she’s absolutely adorable, and is a real inspiration to the next generation of watch fans.

Props to Bacs for sending himself up. Also, kudos to Amandine, who has now garnered over 1,800 followers on her Instagram account, including brands, company CEOs, journalists, retailers, and movie star Kristin Scott Thomas.

My deep, abiding crush on uncommon and brilliantly thought-out watches led me to pick the photo posted by @thehorophile on January 31st as my fave one. Designed by @thehorophile in collaboration with @thelimitededition.uk and @ophionwatches, the Art Deco-inspired Gilt Spectre was my colleague Steven Roger’s Watchonista Staff Pick for January, and with good reason. It is a statement all its own.
 

The above picture genuinely reflects every single detail. For instance, the subtle interplay between the surface texture of the anthracite gray dial, the rose gold-toned Breguet numerals, and the sandblasted titanium case by Voutilainen & Cattin is readily apparent.

I can’t help but wonder: What will be @thehorophile’s next art piece?

I am a big fan of watercolors. My grandmother was a talented watercolorist and all-around painter. Then there is my sister. She is also a gifted watercolorist and all-around painter (meanwhile, I can’t draw a stick figure to save my life). I even commissioned a tattoo by @mrcoffeybean, who specializes in watercolor-inspired body art, to create and ink a bespoke tattoo.
 

So, I suppose it’s only natural that my pick is the above post from February 11th featuring a watercolor of a Cartier Crash from the immensely talented (and inaptly named) @badartnicewatch.

To put it in the plainest terms possible: I love this post!