Ancyent Marinere - Chapter I One of the worlds most unique deep water resistant watches.
Inset picture shows glow in the dark feature.
The Ancyent
Marinere features a 38 mm all stainless case with engine turned bezel
treatment. This numbered production watch is serial inscribed on the
edge of the case at the 9 o'clock position. The movement is the hi-grade ETA 2824 / 25 jewel quick date automatic. The
crystals both front and back are of heavy sapphire to withstand extreme
pressure. This piece utilizes bellows type gaskets to
minimize air exchange ( breathing of the case ) - it is fitted with a
screw-down crown and back. The Ancyent Marinere is named after the poem,
"The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere", wherein the famous quote,
"Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink" originated.
Inscribed inside the back sapphire glass is a similar quote Water,
water, everywhere and not a drop to leak"... appears. Also
inscribed on the back bezel is the reference number 05N/95W - the
designer's interpretation of the location of the doldrums ( calm sea and wind )
where the Marinere's ship disaster occurred. The dial of this watch is
totally unique. The number 7 has been replaced by the logo "df" and the number 1 is replaced with a stylized bird ( Albatross) from the poem.
The Panama - Chapter II
This watch has many similar features to the original Ancyent Marinere with appropriate changes in design to keep pace with
today's watch "science", D.Freemont has produced a unique bezel
design for the Panama - an engineering feature of unique importance.
The Ancyent Marinere is also a famous literary work by Samuel Coleridge, written in 1798. The story recounts the strange voyage that takes the crew through some rough water and psychological battles. The only remaining crew member, the "Ancyent Marinere,” then devotes his life to righting and enlightening others about the lessons of life.
Our original Ancyent Marinere presents the story in a horological way up until the central character finds himself alone on the deck of a derelict ship with an Albatross around his neck. The Sea drama
was placed at the coordinates of 05N/95W ( the reference number of the watch series ) and is inscribed with the derivative quote " water water everywhere but not a drop to leak (drink)."
The Panama is a continuation of the tale which has a climax at Panama... 9N/82W ( reference # and coordinates ) The Marinere continues his message, be kind to man, beast and bird alike, " Nothing is as Noble as Kindness" - This is engraved on the back of the watch around the exhibition window.
What has been said about the Panama with its technological advances and link to literature is truly gratifying to us at
d.freemont. We are delighted to offer this wonderful piece, with pride.
Voyager -
The Final Chapter The Voyager is the last in the series, and
prophetically the most important as it traces ones own lifetime. I
consider this the apex of the message - Be kind to man, bird and beast alike...a
life voyage when man's faith and superstitions are tested. The Ancyent
Marinere kills the Albatross, caused by the crews' confusion over the
superstitious presence of the Bird. Later the crew swings their opinion,
hanging the Albatross around the Marinere's neck. The Marinere finds
himself the only one left as death has overcome the ship and its crew...
"water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink...like a painted ship upon a
painted ocean" a monolog of despair.
The Voyager's balance wheel reminds us to search the
depths of our own soul. The dial color was chosen to replicate the
overcast burning sun of a Pacific doldrum. The Albatross is positioned at
6 o'clock reminding us that it did lie dead upon the deck - never to fly again.
The old seaman, in his agony, captures our attention and moves along with his
sordid tale pointing out that "he prayeth best, who loveth best, all things both
great and small", for nothing is more noble than kindness, as we are but a slice
of God who made and loves us all.
Customer Comment: "My compliments on yet another stunning time piece (Voyager).
It was well worth the wait. I particularly love the contrast between the
sumptuous mocha dial, the jet black of the hands and markers, offset by the
lustrous steely glow of the engine turned bezel. Really stunning. And the
dark brown ostrich strap is the perfect compliment, I'm so glad I chose it.
Of course, the glimpse of the watch's internal 'beating heart' - ringed with
gold - really makes it an eye stopper. The teak wood gift box is the perfect
housing for this varied and stunning collection. A cherished collector set!
Thanks so very much!" TV
The Ancyent Marinere, the character from the poem by
Coleridge, 1798… relates the tale of a Mariner aboard a ship that sets sail
in the Atlantic Ocean somewhere North of the Equator, (The Line), perhaps
Florida.The journey takes the ship
South along the Atlantic Coast of South America, around the cold and turbulent
waters of Cape Horn, then North into the Pacific Ocean.While in the rough, dangerous and depressing Arctic seas off the Cape, an
Albatross began to follow the ship.The
crew hailed the bird as a good omen and believed that God had sent it to keep
them safe.
The malevolent Mariner did kill the Albatross with a crossbow.The fog and nasty seas were now blamed upon the bird and therefore, when
fair winds and optimism engulfed the crew again, they agreed that it was good
for the Albatross to die.As the
ship continued upon the northward course with fair weather, the Line was
crossed again… Suddenly, the ship becalmed…the sea was still…the sun did
burn – “Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink.”
The crew placed the shame, misfortune, and dead bird around the Mariner’s
neck. One by one the crew all fell to the sea…leaving only the Mariner to
contemplate the deed.The calm is
finally broken.The angels send the
Mariner along again.Eventually the
illusionary and solitary Mariner reaches land.The Mariner is compelled to tell his story to relieve his pain and shame
to all he encounters with this message: “be kind to all, beast or bird and
man”.
The designer, having appreciated this great literary work, sought to capture
a mystical and perhaps amulet power as well as he conceived the “Ancyent Marinere”
wristwatch. The watch has a mystical side…it’s more than a timetale…it’s
noble and admirable. Using a new luminescence material it imparts a supernatural
glow to the dial and hands.There
is a paranormal presence reported by some wearers.The designer admits that these references are not empirical nor are they
meant to be indicting…merely subjective observations expressed by some wearers.