Laurent Ferrier watches are all about classicism. The brand is one of the rare examples to practice super-traditional watchmaking on the “indy scene”. After the tourbillon, the annual calendar or the dual-time, Laurent Ferrier explores one of the most desirable complications you can think of: the minute repeater. Meet the new and very exclusive Laurent Ferrier Galet Minute Repeater School Piece.
After the successful inaugural Quai Des Bergues watch, later followed by a complex tourbillon piece, the Place Vendôme, it is time for Czapek to unveil its third complication, this time with a sportier inspiration. As you probably noticed already, the new Czapek “Faubourg de Cracovie” (named after the location of Czapek third boutique) features a chronograph movement – and not the worst of them, as this watch is the first equipped with Vaucher’s brand-new calibre.
We already knew that Baselworld 2018 was about celebration. Indeed, Jaquet Droz celebrates its 280th anniversary this year, which started with a first tribute watch, the Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel. And while the brand looks at the future with an impressively modern Skeleton Grande Seconde watch, they are also doing what it is known for: elegant, restrained watches, such as this new limited edition, the yellow gold/ivory enamel Jaquet Droz Grande Second Tribute.
Carl F. Bucherer already proved to have the capacity to develop impressive and modern technical solutions. For instance, they are one of the rare manufactures to rely on the concept of a peripheral rotor for the automatic winding system. Using this as a base for further developments, Carl F. Bucherer introduced the Manero Tourbillon DoublePeripheral with the new in-house calibre CFB T3000, a world first that combines a peripheral automatic winding system and a peripherally mounted tourbillon that appears to float.
A few days ago, just prior to Baselworld 2018, we introduced to you Chopard’s new take on one of its icons, the L.U.C Quattro, a complex watch with no less than 4 barrels and a 9-day power reserve. Yet, as powerful as this watch is, it remains a true statement of elegance and distinction – as a Chopard should be. To understand more about what this watch really represents for the brand, we asked Co-President of Chopard Karl-Friedrich Scheufele to explain its history and the reasons behind the creation of this 2018 edition – check the video on top of this article.
Chopard should not be forgotten when the subject of Haute Horlogerie comes on the table, especially with the L.U.C collection – launched in 1996 and representing the brand’s top line. The Chopard L.U.C collection comprises watches with beautifully hand-finished in-house movements. The first movement they launched in this collection was calibre 1.96. Four years later, in the year 2000, Chopard introduced the first L.U.C Quattro, the world’s first hand-wound calibre with four stacked mainspring barrels. Just before Baselworld 2018, here is a new interpretation of the Chopard L.U.C Quattro.
Moser & Cie. revisits its winning Perpetual Calendar complication in a Cosmic Green fumé dial. Like its 2017 predecessor, the new 42mm white gold Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Purity applies a radically minimalist approach to one of the most revered complications in watchmaking. A triumph of simplicity and elegance, Moser’s Perpetual Calendar Purity belies the machinations of its complex hand-wound movement. Belonging to H. Moser’s Purity line and released in a limited edition of just 50 pieces, this perpetual calendar pushes the envelope of minimalism one step further dispensing with any sign of branding on the dial, in the same spirit as Moser’s Concept watches.
There are literally dozens of new micro-brands launching every week. Thanks to crowdfunding processes such as Kickstarter, anyone with a strong interest or even a passion for watches can now fulfil his dream and create his own timepiece. We, at MONOCHROME, have an eye on this, as it might represent the future and we are aware that not all our readers can afford 5-digit luxury watches. Lastest project we discovered: Arcturus Watches and their timepiece, the LC-1. Opulent, art-deco inspired, original… Let’s have a look.
Vacheron Constantin introduces its third iteration of the Patrimony Self-Winding 36mm, this time in white gold with an automatic movement. Designed to swing it both ways, the new model will certainly be well received by women who appreciate a mechanical movement and who prefer the timeless elegance of a classic, round case, and a simple, refined dial. Unlike so many women’s watches that lure us with their sparkling gem-set surfaces and sugary motifs, Vacheron’s Patrimony 36mm proposes a timepiece that might seem Calvinist in appearance, but which is full of appealing details that will win converts from all denominations. But first a quick word on unisex watches.
With Baselworld 2018 just around the corner, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetites. Among them is Corum, with a limited edition of its Golden Bridge model produced in partnership with Joachim Horsley, composer, arranger, orchestrator and pianist.