Why THIS WATCH is Perfect for Photographers - Horage Lensman 2

[@HORAGE]

Wonderful to be featured by you Ted. Thank you for sharing Lensman 2 and our story with your community!

[@Selador_]

I'm an amateur horologist who services maybe 50-ish watches a year, but a pro photographer for all my life. I recently made the one "big" purchase for myself in a rare Speedmaster variant, and I was in complete confidence in the purchase until I looked into this magnificent piece. The dimensions are perfect (the ballpark of 40x45 is where magic happens) and how you managed to fit a jumping hour GMT complication into a rotating bezel case at just over 10mm is an incredible feat. I very sincerely hope that in 4-6 years when I am in the position to consider another "big" purchase, that this piece will be available to add to my heirloom collection.

[@HORAGE]

@@Selador_ You definitely know your stuff and fantastic to hear your appreciation for what we have delivered in a 10mm case with Lensman 2. When you are ready for a Lensman series watch, why not visit us and pick it up in person. Omega and their very cool museum is about a 20 min walk from us and that would mean you could see your Speedmaster watchmaker and Lensman watchmaker all in one day.

[@PeteLovesPixels]

Now if only you could make a version normal people could afford.

[@Selador_]

@@PeteLovesPixels I’m sorry, but this is a reasonably affordable watch of this caliber, you really can’t find Swiss watches with an in-house true GMT movement for much less than this anywhere I get what you’re saying, but look at every other piece of high-quality European made and engineered good of similar caliber within the camera world. Hasselblad, Leica, Rollei, Contax. If you want a lifetime heirloom piece like this, that will cost you a little bit. Otherwise, wait for the aliexpress knockoff if a watch is just a watch for you, and a not a piece of functional mechanical art you get to wear.

[@HENGBUNG]

I love cameras! I love watches! This is perfect!

[@TheStockwell]

No offense intended, but the $5,500.00 this beauty costs could also buy a lot of, you know: photographic equipment. 🤔

[@thebiblioholic]

And some might say, for the price of that camera you could have gotten a Swiss watch. 🙂

[@bottledwaterprod]

More like $6200 minimum if you're converting Swiss francs to dollars after tax, import fees, etc. And for some reason the seemingly less impressive 1.0 version is twice the price of this model. I wonder why? Probably some bs like platinum in a place you'll never see it anyway.

[@gundamzerostrike]

This is a luxury watch. It's basically art for watch collectors. It's not a tool for regular photographers. The guy is talking like people will buy this because they are photographers.

[@bottledwaterprod]

@gundamzerostrike I held out hope, but the more he talked I was like "Yeah there's no way this is affordable." Maybe this can be treat for myself once I've "made it". But atm I can't even afford to get my only camera fixed.

[@AardvarkAdventure]

This is what I was expecting of the Leica watch (the exposure scale feature, I mean, not the in-house movement, etc.). 👍

[@so_whatsnext]

More, more watch review !! You're absolutely great on this man !

[@HORAGE]

Agreed! Watches and photography go so well together.

[@_parkphoto]

What a beautiful watch and a fantastic concept. I’d love to see more companies put out photography watches

[@HORAGE]

Thanks so much! Very happy to hear you like our approach to watchmaking and photography with Lensman 2. 😊

[@NPJensen]

Beautiful watch, and I love the exposure dial. But, it costs about the same as a Leica Q3, and I'm more of a Panasonic Lumix GX8 kind of photographer, so I'll stick with my Casio G-Shock GW-7900B for now 😉

[@HORAGE]

G-Shock makes some very fun watches. If you are ever in Switzerland visiting us is free should you like to see how we build our mechanical timepieces.

[@NPJensen]

@@HORAGE I'm sure that would be very interesting. Unfortunately, certain chronic health issues mean I don't travel well at all anymore. Luckily photography can be done anywhere in the world and in so many ways, everyone can find a niche for themselves.

[@HORAGE]

Sorry to hear about the chronic issues keeping you at bay. Photography is a wonderful and creative hobby much like watchmaking and as you said photography can de done anywhere. You have a couple of solid workhorses with the G-Shock and GX8 enjoy them as they are both great memory makers.

[@stanleyomar]

I kind of thought something similar when I saw the price. It's a really nice looking little gadget, but since my "worker" film cameras already have light meters to go with the handheld meter I own for portraits, for the money I think I'd either upgrade my current digital Leica, or buy a Speedmaster and officially put my watch dreams to rest.

[@CanadianArchivist]

A bit out of my price range but amazing. Great features and specifically with photographers in mind. Nice !! I’d be interested in having one.

[@HORAGE]

Great to hear and happy to see you like what we have going on. Many thanks!

[@stevemphoto]

THIS is what the Leica watch should have been. Love this...but I just bought a watch and this one is out of my watch budget. BUT It would look good with my M3 or even my m11!

[@HORAGE]

Very happy you love Lensman 2. Beautiful cameras by the way. Design cues for rangefinder cameras have been a big inspiration for our Lensman 1 and Lensman 2 watches.

[@HarmFlo]

I was wondering about this watch! Lovely timepiece.

[@guyjordan8201]

A wonderful new treasure. Shockingly expensive for the broke among us but it’s nice to appreciate great things.

[@HORAGE]

Thank you for the kind words. Happy to hear you like Lensman 2.

[@mrmr-vr7vh]

Pretty dope watch. Also the inhouse movement is a real statement here. With Microrotor and a GMT! Didn't pull the trigger, since i've set myself a rule. I ain't buying any more watches, that i know less than 3 months. If, after 3 months, i still like the watch (design, specs, etc), i may proceed. So Kickstarter Watches are always a Nogo for me.

[@HORAGE]

Very happy to hear you dig the micro-rotor and GMT incorporated into this watch. After 14 years of making movements the K2 is our third movement development. The Lensman 2 has a lot of function and we wanted to keep the profile low and K2 enabled us to do that. Thanks again and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

[@fepatton]

Absolutely _love_ the design. The ideal companion for a Hasselblad 500C!

[@rhondamoore9842]

Dang it, now I have to buy the watch. I already have the camera.

[@brentkollock8370]

great video Ted! I love old mechanical things, or new mechanical things! Keep up the great variety.

[@HORAGE]

Well said and happy to hear of your appreciation for the mechanical world.

[@brentkollock8370]

@@HORAGE in fact, I have just started to learn watchmaking! It is a micro world. I taught myself, with a bit of help, to rebuild old lenses and I really enjoy it. Now, servicing an automatic watch movement! Smaller parts, but I do love the engineering! Wish I could afford a Lensman, one day soon perhaps? Keep making interesting a quality products.

[@HORAGE]

@@brentkollock8370 Truly great to hear you have discovered the world of mechanical watchmaking and giving it a go on your own. If you are ever in Switzerland you are welcome to visit us and meet our watchmakers who would be happy to dig into the details of our movements with you. Until then enjoy the new hobby and have fun taking apart and building things back up again.

[@blazerbarrel2]

Ttartisans are you listening .

[@RobMyself]

Came to check out the watch. Stayed to learn a little about photography. Cool watch. Cool brand. They've got some serious news things going on with micro adjusting on the movements. Pretty neat.

[@The_Raw_Society]

Love this Ted! I always thought that there is a connection between photography and horology or photographers and watches and this makes me think that I might be right! :)

[@HORAGE]

Great to see! Members of our team love photography and their cameras so making a watch for them and the watch/photography community at large just seemed like the thing to do.

[@pursueadventure]

The specs on that watch are bonkers!! Thanks for sharing.

[@ianroe1076]

For a watch that costs as much as a new Leica, I'd expect it to at least have a functioning meter built in. As it is, I think any photographer who would use the printed dial as a tool alongside a film camera already has the sunny 16 rule memorized. Side note, a light meter watch would be extremely cool and if someone made one for a price commensurate with the product I'd probably buy one.

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

My thoughts, too. Why not a FitBit with a light meter. Probably not enough demand. I have a Mamiya TLR with no meter and a Nikon FG with a sketchy light meter. I have to remember to grab my phone and lug it with me and one of these days I'll forget it in the vehicle.

[@HORAGE]

Appreciate the input. We looked to keep a very thin profile with this timepiece and therefore that guided our approach to exposure calculation. A GMT and micro-rotor function made in-house at our HQ in Switzerland already breaks the price barrier when comparing those functions across the Swiss market however we always try to deliver more value when we can. Thanks for checking it out.

[@ianroe1076]

@@thomaschamberlin2485my Canon IIF is meterless so I just bought a ttartisan external meter. I don't like keeping it on the cold shoe (need that for external viewfinders) so I just carry it in my pocket and pull it out when it's needed. I just discovered that cold shoe watch straps exist so perhaps that will be my permanent solution.

[@kinoromantic]

@@HORAGEclassic Zenith cameras had an arrow-meter that changed depending on your exposure settings. It would have been cool to see this implemented in a watch. For cinematographers such as myself, however, spot and incident meters are much more helpful - if you could raise your arm and meter exposure from your hand, if’s like a super power 😂

[@HORAGE]

@@kinoromanticgreat feedback. The DP’s we have spoke with also share your view that a light meter on the wrist is like s super power. They really liked how we did this as it is to our knowledge a first of its kind. Will take your input to heart. Thanks again. 👍

[@kei_yw]

Why no one make a watch style light meter 😢

[@EdLrandom]

what would be a modern version of this watch?! an apple watch / wearos watch face with an arrow that points to the best time to post on instagram?

[@edinburghaction5515]

reminds of my first light meter, a weston 5.

[@RobertFalconer1967]

This is a terrific idea. I love it. Especially for those shooting with mechanical film cameras without a meter (or meter that works). And a TRUE GMT hand, too. Not an ETA 2893-2.

[@HORAGE]

Thanks for the positive feedback. It's a fun watch and function to have on the wrist. The GMT took 5 years of development and delivered in a 3.6mm movement so we can make some pretty thin timepieces which ultimately increase wearing comfort. Thanks again!

[@DanielBengtsson]

I liked this topic! Cool watch and a intersting video. :-)

[@HORAGE]

Happy you dig the watch and the great video Ted put together.

[@fgc1981]

This is actually pretty cool... Not a fan of the square design, but the complication is awesome.

[@HORAGE]

Great to hear. Happy you appreciate the work we put into the complication.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Beautiful design piece, you wear it well Ted.

[@HORAGE]

Definitely. It looks right at home on his wrist.

[@timryan894]

This is awesome. I’m a huge time piece buff (I have several tourbillons), but I’ve not seen this one.

[@nicerides9224]

That is a cool watch. A more useful complication would be a ND filter exposure slide rule. That is something that would actually get used.

[@HORAGE]

Great feedback. The DP's we have spoken with also have requested such a function.

[@ThBreadMan]

What would be the best affordable light meter for beginners?

[@GeertKuster]

Your iPhone and an app

[@ThBreadMan]

@@GeertKuster unfortunately I don't have an iPhone and I found most light meter apps that are free are unreliable

[@Zealor365]

Just purchased 2 of these, one for myself and one for my canine buddy.

[@LEIF_10119]

love the concept, very nice.

[@sotocine99]

Nice storytelling.

[@pierrematthieu166]

Ooooh, man. What a beautiful watch. It’s too bad is way out my budget. Maybe, one day. Thanks for the video is a great conversation piece

[@HORAGE]

Fantastic to hear Ted helped drum up some new conversation in the photographic community.

[@KarlDomning]

Well, if it’s this or a Leica…. Would probably pick the camera. So, who makes the Fuji X100 equivalent of this?

[@HORAGE]

This is probably already the Fuji X100 equivalent when looking at a spec sheet compared to other Swiss micro-rotor options on the market.

[@KarlDomning]

@@HORAGE fair point. Regardless of its cost, it’s certainly a cool watch.

[@HORAGE]

Very happy you like the design. Thank you.

[@gordonjohnston684]

I just had a closer look at the watch on the company’s web site! For me personally there is way too much going on in the centre part of the watch. I am referring to the unnecessary black lines emanating from the centre of the watch. Thank you for exposing ( pardon the pun) this watch brand.

[@thebiblioholic]

Cool concept, though not my particular style. I do love automatic wristwatches and have always worn them. I noticed all the watch terminology just rolled off your tongue like a pro. I gather this is also an area of interest/hobby for you. Nicely done.

[@chrispatmore8944]

I get the feeling that the adage “if you have to ask the price you can’t afford it” applies here.

[@PrairieDad]

If I had to spend $7,000 on watch, I'd rather have this than a Rolex. But I don't have anything like that, so I will just keep using this Seiko that I bought used and fixed.

[@HORAGE]

Rolex and Omega are two watchmakers either side of us in our town of Biel. Like us both have invested heavily in movement development. You can’t go wrong with a watchmaker that sets out to make their own movements.

[@Vartan297]

Yeah really cool this. As some have said I’d rather have a Q3 lol. But cool all the same and another great video. Tudor Pelagos instead and 2k left to spend on camera stuff 👍🏻👍🏻😂

[@steveh1273]

I own a fine Swiss made automatic watch. Problem is the watch needs service frequently, I have to send it to New York, and in 2013 the cost to start with was a $400 "cleaning" fee. The "automatic" part of it (self wind) would work for about three months then would quit. After three services I just gave up, and no local jewelers would touch it. The Tag Heuer now sits in my drawer looking really good, but just doesn't function reliably and never will. Think about service maintenance before you buy these beautiful mechanical time pieces; I regret my decision. Love my Garmin all digital watch.

[@HORAGE]

Mechanical watches will in time require a service. There should have been a warranty included to cover any service within the first few years of your watch so be sure to look into that. When it comes to service we hope we don't see any of our watches for a very long time. Somewhere in the 10 year range is good to check on wear and oiling. The highest wearing part of a watch is the escapement and with silicon like we have in our watch the 10-year timeline is a reality. If for some reason someone requires a service we organize courier pickup from them and our watchmakers in Switzerland the same ones that make the watch service it and send it back to you. Pricing for servicing is listed on our site so there are no surprises.

[@astrostl]

I love it! I'm into watches and cameras and missed this one. Prefer the yellow.

[@RHelenius]

Probably a reason you missed this one...

[@HORAGE]

Great to hear! The great thing about watch collecting is discovering new watchmakers. Happy Ted’s channel is where you found us.

[@romiemiller7876]

I had a 500C. I kick myself every time I think about selling it. Stupid choice on my part.

[@HORAGE]

An incredible camera

[@schtickshift4150]

The problem is that the cost of this watch is the same as a Fuji medium format camera, I know what I would rather buy.

[@HORAGE]

The Fuji GFX 100s is a great camera. Recently Brian Griffin photographed our staff with that very camera, the skin tones and dynamic range are incredible. As with cameras, there are watches of various quality and specifications and this depicts price. We always look to deliver fair value when compared to others in our market segment and believe it or not for a Swiss in-house micro-rotor GMT we are the fairest priced currently and not to mention the addition of a new exposure calculator.

[@bobakdota]

Oh that’s so cool 😊

[@J4060]

I'll sell my car and try to get one before it goes sold out!!! 😉📸

[@mr.stranger225]

Groovy.

[@markbernhardt6281]

Worth more than my entire camera bag

[@Gael_AG]

The perfect watch to Brag :)

[@lefroy1]

A lovely watch, but no mention of price? Haha, I know HORAGE, so can guess as to why such a figure might be unspeakable.

[@HORAGE]

5450 CHF for the black or yellow dial Lensman 2 and 6450 for the limited edition Brian Griffin Lensman 2. 👍

[@smashexentertainment676]

Cool watch, but I'll have to keep my Orient Retro Future Camera for $250, $500 TACS Twin Lens and invest the rest in gear. Good enough affordable watches for photography enthusiasts.

[@davidabarak]

$5,500 is nothing. There's a watch (brand new) that sells for between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000. The company's website doesn't have a way to order online (obviously) and it doesn't even list an exact price. "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."

[@HORAGE]

You hit the nail on the head in relation to the world of high horology. There are some extravagant pricing out there and we have always looked to provide a ton of value at a fair price for the market positioning. We really turned some heads with our tourbillon series at sub 10K considering most start closer to 100K and with the K2 micro-rotor we looked to do the same.

[@davidabarak]

@@HORAGE I just recently adopted horology as a bit of a hobby. My budget is keeping my collection _VERY_ modest, just consumer-level watches, but it's fun to learn about the details of watchmaking. It seems that your Lensman watch is a pretty good deal, based on the workmanship (the insides are beautiful) and materials. As soon as I post this I'm going to visit your website. I have a feeling your offerings are beyond my budget, but that doesn't mean I can't drool on my keyboard. 😁 EDIT: Okay, I'm back. You owe me a new keyboard. 😁 The watches in your collection are beautiful, understated and elegant - no over-the-top designs. One I really like, for its understated curiosity, is the Solar Wind. I won't spoil the surprise here, but the dial material is really unique and fun. The date complication (I love that term) on the Array is really nice, but not in a way that screams for attention. I do have one question - What's the small window at the bottom of the dial on the Lensman 1.1? Is it small a skeleton view of some of the inner workings? Someday I'll own at least one Horage.

[@HORAGE]

Hopefully the keyboard is repairable 😅 . As with photography people can start getting into the hobby on any budget. There are great finds at flea markets and sometimes folks giveaway broken watches which some love to repair. Over time however the fascination with watchmaking can grow and hobbyists inevitably grow their collections and save up for grail pieces much like one saves up for their favourite camera. Thanks for checking out our other offerings. Solar Wind with its meteorite dial is a work of art. Crazy to think that meteorite was flying through space for billions of years before making landfall on earth then carefully placed on the dial of the watch. Array is our price entry model and gives a technical semi-skeleton look to the first calibre we made called K1. As for the Lensman 1.1 it’s a tourbillon which is a very sought after grail movement for enthusiasts. The part you see at 6 O’Clock is the tourbillon cage. It’s a flying tourbillon which means its an escarpment that continually rotates 360 degrees. We have placed a cyclops lens overtop of it to magnify the mesmerizing effect it has on people. Thanks again!

[@PeteLovesPixels]

I'm going to need the Sony 400/2.8 and the 600/4 in my gear closet before I'd ever consider a watch like this and since exotic primes are likely never going to be in my budget..... you get the idea. GLASS BEFORE TIME PIECES! One needs to keep their priorities straight. LOL

[@touchtennis]

Anyone else hearing Christopher Walken every time we hear “thissss waaaaatch”?! Just me?!

[@bmprosser74]

Am I seeing the price clearly? The watch costs around $7,000.00!

[@daviddyephotography]

I will never be able to afford a Leica or Hazzelblad and if I could this watch would never make it on my list ! when I saw the price it made me jump so hard my mouse flew onto the floor

[@kevlarnegative]

I'll stick to my g-shock 5610 thank you very much...

[@bobakdota]

Well how much in dollars 💵

[@gottago9824]

it's only $5.5K... totally accessible to most plebs

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Bof !! Next video you'll sell us shampoo or maybe a gardening tool ??... 🤔 I always enjoy your photographic videos, but here... Sorry. Pointless and out of place in my opinion. So I'll forget this quickly and I'll look forward to your next "proper stuff".

[@just_eirik]

We’re you paid to make this video?

[@c.augustin]

Nice, but I would rather buy a Leica Q3 before even considering this watch - if I had the money …

[@Dan-C-71]

$6k 😳

[@Beatsy]

The clocks in my cameras tell the time (and date) and the cameras do many more useful things regarding "correct exposure". I agree it's a good looking timepiece, but functionally it's akin to a belly button warmer IMO. Pointless.

[@HORAGE]

Time can be found on the oven, in the car, on your phone, in your camera, at the train station... Nobody needs a watch. Why doesn't every professional, amateur or hobbyist photographer only use the camera on their phone? The same could be argued that the phone does far more useful things than a standalone camera. Likely because people appreciate the build quality, the results they get from a well-made camera and how that camera feels to work with. Much of the same is to be said about fine mechanical timepieces.

[@Beatsy]

@@HORAGE Totally agree, which is why a called it a good looking timepiece. I understand how people would be attracted to the watch and the quality of the workmanship. But touting the "functionality" of the exposure stuff as anything useful in practice (rather than simply decorative) is frankly nonsense IMO.

[@SafdarSaidov-wd6yx]

😮

[@gordonbrown5901]

Or buy a handheld light meter for a tiny fraction of the price IF your cameras built in light meter is broken, which I have to add is infinitly more accurate than that watch, Another high priced toy for the rich folks.

[@davesallotmentdiary3945]

And like anything photography based...its stupidly expensive 😢

[@wayneclayton5426]

Always found all fashion watches very cheap garish & tacky looking. No matter how expensive they are. Same goes for all gold, silver and diamond encrusted tat. I'm bling adverse. I draw the line at my David Baily foam camera strap.

[@shenyin9989]

It's just too expensive for what it is, and it's no Leica.

[@Jack_Schularick]

No, bad style, imo.

[@HORAGE]

Many thanks 😊

[@Just-a-Guy1]

Rich person's toys.

[@GeertKuster]

Yeah, no, I’ll pass.

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Meh...

[@Adilboukind]

This stupid watch cost more than my SL2-S. Like the leica watch, it's just an overpriced piece of equipment that a dentist would want. For the price of those watches (the Horage or Leica) you can buy a brand new m6, a lens, a lightmeter and a casio watch

[@RHelenius]

As a primarily watch enthusiast and photography enthusiast secondly... this watch is an absolute shitter, sorry. Also, a "Swiss Made" watch doesn't need to be made in Switzerland, just 60% of the cost(Which can be anything from manufacturing to assembly or even marketing.) I've never heard of this watch brand until now(Doesn't make it a bad watch) but I know almost any obscure watch brand out there. Save your money guys. If you buy this, expect it to be on the same level as a Pixii compared to Leica. Nobody would bet on Pixii, but it can be an interesting choice. I would go with a bigger brand if I didn't own a watch. Same goes for a camera.

[@HORAGE]

If you are ever in Biel/Bienne Switzerland you are welcome to visit us. Meet our engineering and watchmaking team and see just how much goes into our watchmaking. We also help big brands with movement development 😉.