Better to ask why music can capture an emotion better than memory, or how Monet could capture a moment better than a photograph. It would be pointless to explain these ideas in words, because the appreciation of these concepts can come only from within.

The expression of oneself is the sum of our departures from practicality. For each of us, this means something different - the appreciation of a fine craft, a fashion accessory, a gift from a loved one, a family heirloom.

In a time of disposable forks, 5-year cars and one-off jobs, the art of horology speaks a history of more traditional values, when words such as quality, craftsmanship, and romance were still meaningful.

Watchmaking is the culmination of generations of engineering and craftsmanship. The inherent qualities of a mechanical watch are the result of building something of enduring excellence by doing it to the best of your ability, not by finding an easier way.

It's ironic that the primary function of a watch has been surpassed by the advances of technology, but it serves to underscore the point: expression is the difference of person and practicality.