Review – A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds White Gold and Black Dial

Packed with historical references, bold aesthetics, spectacular mechanics and uncompromising quality, the new white gold iteration of the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds with its black dial is a watch you won’t forget. A watch that honours the past but looks undeniably contemporary, the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds marries the tradition of scientific observations watches cultivated in Dresden with the spectacle of jumping seconds on the dial powered by a movement bolstered by constant force escapement, stop seconds, a zero-reset mechanism and an end-of-power indication.

5 years ago

SIHH 2019 – A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date

It is hard to believe that Lange’s most daring watch, the Zeitwerk, has been launched in 2009. Several variants have been added to the collection since, all with chiming complications – Striking Time, Minute Repeater, Decimal Strike. On the occasion of its tenth anniversary, Lange’s first mechanical wristwatch with a precisely jumping digital display is endowed with a new manufacture calibre featuring a surprising extra function – and this time, it isn’t a chiming complication. Indeed, a glass ring date has been added to what is now named the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date.

5 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetuel

In a bold move that underscores its technical abilities, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils a grande complication watch featuring a staggering combination of complications: a multi-axis tourbillon driven by a remontoir d’égalité, a minute repeater with Westminster chime, a perpetual calendar… and more. Meet the new (and superb) Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetuel – a.k.a The Gyrotourbillon 5.

5 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince”

Among the four watches that IWC introduces for its pre-SIHH 2019 collection are three ‘standard’ pieces – a chronograph, a double-chronograph and a world time – and one very exclusive, complicated piece; the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince” IW590303 (yes, quite a name…) Nevertheless, if some will point to a lack of relevance […]

5 years ago

Hands-on – Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 Malaspina Edition (Unique Piece)

With the Malaspina Edition, Ferdinand Berthoud further explores the theme of the “Age of Discovery” in relation to marine chronometers. Alessandro Malaspina was an Italian born navigator, who spent most of his life at the service of the Spanish Marine. In particular, he led the Malaspina Expedition (1789-1794) exploring and mapping the west coast of the Americas throughout the Pacific Ocean. To guide him in this scientific-political expedition, Malaspina navigated with two Berthoud marine chronometers, N°10 and N°13.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Ulysse Nardin Freak Out – The UN Freak Concept More Affordable Than Ever

It all started in the early 1980s with the encounter of Rolf W. Schnyder, a visionary businessman and Ludwig Oeschlin, a brilliant horologist. The two men turned Ulysse Nardin, a century-old manufacturer into one of the most innovative watch brands around. The most striking development brought to life by the duo is, without a doubt, the Freak (2001). This legendary timepiece was powered by a revolutionary in-line movement pivoting on itself to indicate the time. It was regulated by the cutting-edge ‘dual direct escapement’. With the Freak, Ulysse Nardin not only became a silicon pioneer (as such it is a true game-changer in the watch industry) but developed a concept like no other regarding design, display and technology.

6 years ago

A Closer Look At the Ultra-Detailed Romain Gauthier Logical One

Visiting the Romain Gauthier manufacture is an eye-opening experience. One of the best representatives of the Vallée-de-Joux expertise, the independent watchmaker crafts just over 50 pieces a year with an exceptional level of finishing and uncompromising watchmaking ethos. To demonstrate this, we take a look at the ultra-detailed and complex Romain Gauthier Logical One.

6 years ago

Hands-on – A Closer Look At the Ultra-Detailed Romain Gauthier Logical One

Visiting the Romain Gauthier manufacture is an eye-opening experience. One of the best representatives of the Vallée-de-Joux expertise, the independent watchmaker crafts just over 50 pieces a year with an exceptional level of finishing and uncompromising watchmaking ethos. To demonstrate this, we take a look at the ultra-detailed and complex Romain Gauthier Logical One.

6 years ago

Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision Automatic (Live from SIHH 2018)

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Ulysse Nardin introduced an impressive piece, a concept watch featuring no less than 10 major innovations, as a showcase to demonstrate the brand’s savoir-faire: the InnoVision 2. Every part of this watch boasted an innovation, whether the escapement, the display, the winding system or even the hands. And while last year’s piece wasn’t meant to be commercialized, it is now time for Ulysse Nardin to deploy some of these features into serially produced pieces… Meet the Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision.

6 years ago

Review – Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire with Bespoke Dial – Best Men’s Watch at GPHG 2016

My wrist is a lucky one as I get to test a lot of seriously brilliant wrist watches. Whether it’s the understated Galet Square Tourbillon Double Spiral from Laurent Ferrier, the magnificent Datograph from A. Lange & Söhne, the ultra-thin and über-clean Piaget Altiplano in white gold, or even the € 60.000 Euro impressive Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days, I get to test (and enjoy) some of the most spectacular timepieces of our time. When I got the call from my fellow countrymen Bart and Tim Grönefeld, that they finally secured a 1941 Remontoire for me to test, I was delighted and excited. Here are my thoughts on the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire that now also comes with bespoke dials featuring guilloche and translucent enamel.

6 years ago