The F.P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine is a complicated watch initially unveiled in 2019 as the Astronomic Blue, a one-of-a-kind (prototype) watch created for the biannual Only Watch auction fundraiser supporting muscular dystrophy research. This remarkable timepiece crafted in tantalum with a striking blue dial fetched a staggering CHF 1.8 million. Later that year, F.P. Journe […]
If you are a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you probably know Petermann Bédat. This independent brand was founded by a duo of young talented watchmakers, two friends who established their workshop in Renens (near Lausanne, Switzerland) to perform restoration work and who ended up creating their own project. We already discovered their first watch, which […]
Combining associates’ names to create a watch brand is something of a tradition in the watch industry. Illustrious examples include Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet or more recently Greubel Forsey. Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat are not yet part of the Swiss Haute Horlogerie clique, but the work of these young watchmaking talents truly […]
On one side: William Massena, one of those inescapable names of the watch industry. A former head of an auction house, Managing Director of one of the largest watch forums, he is first and foremost an avid watch collector and a true connoisseur. On the other side is Habring², a small, independent watchmaker from Austria with superb craftsmanship and interesting (but not overpriced) complications. So what happens when you mix these two? The Habring² Erwin LAB01 Bronze, the result of William’s new project, the Massena LAB.
It seems that the online world is really taking over the luxury market, which apparently also includes the watchmaking industry. Indeed, Jaeger-LeCoultre is about to propose a limited edition exclusive to its online boutique – meaning that you won’t find it in stores. Based on the surprising Geophysic True Second, a “Seconde Morte” watch introduced in 2015, we now have a limited version that features a specific blue dial. Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second Limited Edition – and be sure you’ll have your phones and laptops connected…
Last year at the SIHH 2016, German watch manufacturer, A. Lange & Söhne, debuted the deliciously complex Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. Offered in a platinum case and produced in a limited series of just 100 pieces, it was an instant hit with collectors. Following on from this success, this minimalist timepiece is now being made available in an attractive pink gold case, complete with matching accents on the dial and buckle. As with the platinum model, this series will be limited to just 100 pieces, preserving the exclusivity of this exceptional mechanical machine.
There is something definitively down to earth about the minimalist A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. The pure, meticulous design is splendid; striking visual simplicity at its best. But there is a lot more than meets the eye. Underneath its dial beats a superb and highly complex movement with dead second, constant force mechanism, zero-reset and an end-of-power reserve indication, all crafted in harmony with the Saxon manufacture’s ethos of no compromise.
Habring² was founded in 2004 by husband and wife Richard and Maria Habring. Based in Austria, this small, independent manufacturer has received industry accolade being awarded several times at GPHG, the Oscars of watchmaking, including two “Petite Aiguilles”* – The first time was in 2013 for a jumping second watch. The second time was in 2015, with Felix, the first Habring² powered by an in-house movement, the A11. The news that the Austrian duo presents its first jumping second based on the A11 calibre sounded like something to look forward to. Erwin, their latest creation does live up to the promise.