Category: Dress Watches

Hands-on – Atelier de Chronométrie AdC #1 and AdC #2 – As Hand-Made As Possible

Hand-made… these two words are too often misused in the world of watches, but not so when talking about Beat Haldimann as we recently did, or when talking about Atelier de Chronometrie. The latter, a small independent watch brand from Barcelona, rebuilds or revives vintage Omega’s, entirely by hand. Approx. a year ago, our managing editor Brice Goulard wrote about Atelier de Chronometrie and their (at that time) latest creation, the AdC #5. Today we’re taking a look at two similarly hand-made, rebuild timepieces based on vintage Omega wristwatches from the 1950’s, dubbed AdC #1 and AdC #2.

6 years ago

Independent Watchmaking – Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon Piece Unique

There are only a handful of watchmakers who perform their art in the oldest and most traditional way, meaning by hand. Beat Haldimann and his team are among the few who still make watches without the help of CNC machines. Haldimann’s collection of timepieces focuses on centrally positioned regulating organs, like the H11 and H12 that we showed you last year. Today we’re going to take a closer look at a unique execution of Haldimann’s first wristwatch, the H1 Flying Central Tourbillon.

6 years ago

Review – RGM Classic Enamel PS-801-CE, The Pride of the “American Made” Watch

When you think of great American watch companies, brands like Hamilton and Waltham come to mind. Neither of those are American anymore, with Hamilton ending US production in 1969 after being acquired by the Buren Watch Company in Büren an der Aare, Switzerland. Hamilton ultimately became part of the Swatch Group and remains a popular […]

6 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronomètre with New Slate-Grey Guilloché Dial (Hands-On)

Master watchmaker and restorer Michel Parmigiani unveiled his first watch in 1996, the Toric. Distinguished by its knurled bezel and harmonious proportions, the Toric was reinterpreted in a more contemporary key in 2017 with the Toric Chronomètre, and again in November 2018 with a tasteful hand-guilloché dial. The impeccable elegance of this dress watch is given yet another wardrobe update with this Pre-SIHH 2019 Toric Chronomètre model with a slate-grey guilloché dial. Apart from the different colour on the dial, the 2019 model is not covered by the Qualité Fleurier seal but another certification.

6 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel

With the SIHH 2019 only a month away, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetite. Among them is Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has unveiled a superb new version of one of their classics. Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel, showing the artistic crafts of the Grande Maison.

6 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel

With the SIHH 2019 only a month away, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetite. Among them is Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has unveiled a superb new version of one of their classics. Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel, showing the artistic crafts of the Grande Maison.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Frederique Constant Classics 24H – An Unusual (and affordable) Approach to Consulting the Time

There is no stopping the steady flow of models emerging from Frederique Constant, all steeled for battle in the mid-price arena. The latest Classic Automatic 24H, equipped with a 24-hour function, joins the well-populated Classics collection and will retail for under EUR 1,000. My first take on the newcomer was that this was a practical GMT watch, designed for men on the move. But where was the additional hand to read the second time zone? FC’s new watch is a bit of a mind teaser and presents a different way of reading the hours based on a 24-hour format. Instead of the standard hour hand advancing in 12 increments of one hour twice a day, the hand is slowed down to half its regular speed to read the 24-hour disc on the dial. Once you have got your mind around the fact that the hour hand makes one rotation a day and not two, things start to make sense.

6 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – The Comeback of the Tonneau in the Cartier Privé Collection

The Tonneau Watch by Cartier always had a special place amongst collectors. Certainly less famous than other shaped watches designed by the Parisian Maison (Tortue, Crash, Tank, Santos, Drive, Ballon Bleu and many more), it remains one of the most original and certainly one of the most elegant creations ever done by Cartier. Thanks to the Revival of the “Privé” branding, with the reinterpretation of the Crash in 2015 and the Tank Cintrée in 2017, we see more of those beautiful shapes watches coming back in the brand’s portfolio. For the SIHH 2019, the Tonneau Watch is coming back.

6 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Two New Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Models in Steel and Red Gold

It might be hard to believe but we’re already into December, which means its nearly January. Incredible as it sounds, the first major watch fair of the New Year is mere weeks away. That means it’s preview time. We’ve already shown you several models from the likes of IWC, Piaget, HYT and Laurent Ferrier. Now it’s Montblanc’s turn. First on our list are two new Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronographs.

6 years ago

Introducing – Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic & Heart Beat, Face-Lifted but Still Accessible

Frederique Constant enlarges its Classics Index Automatic collection with three newcomers and revisits the Heart Beat in two iterations. True to its mantra of ‘accessible luxury’, the watches feature restrained proportions, classic styling, a touch of high-end guilloché-like, automatic calibres, and, here’s the catch, a price tag that sets them in a different league from most respected Swiss watchmakers. FC’s message that quality is not symptomatic with prices that compete with your mortgage is getting louder and clearer by the day.

6 years ago