Category: High-end Watches

Hands-on – Grönefeld Parallax Tourbillon with new Steel Hammered (Tremblage) Dials

What a difference a dial makes! When Grönefeld unveiled the Parallax Tourbillon in 2014, it was the third watch coming from the Horological Brothers, Bart and Tim Grönefeld. After the GTM-06 (Grönefeld Tourbillon Minute Repeater) and the One Hertz, they wanted to showcase a large tourbillon. One that would hover over the dial, or at least at the same level as the dial, so it would have all spotlights on the perpetual dance of a tourbillon. With the new tremblage dials, the emphasis still remains at the large tourbillon, while it also showcases the masterful art of hand-made tremblage.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral

When we talk about innovation in watchmaking, Carl F. Bucherer is probably not a name that comes up often enough – which is a shame, as we demonstrated in an in-depth video. The fact is that the Lucerne-based Manufacture is doing some pretty interesting things, particularly with peripheral automatic winding systems. This year at Baselworld, the company presented a new model that takes that concept an impressive step further: the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral. What double peripheral means? Let’s find out.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde

With the Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde, Blancpain introduces its first model ever with jumping hours and retrograde minutes. And that’s not all… There is much more than first meets the eye with this elegant Villeret watch. Its no-nonsense time display and clean, classic look incorporate technically challenging complications and superb craftsmanship. Let’s take a close look.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Ferdinand Berthoud Edition 1785 – 5 Unique Pieces with Patinated Bronze Cases

50 shades of bronze… Bronze is trendy and has been mainly used to craft dive watches. Yet, Ferdinand Berthoud thought that this material could be used differently and could be an interesting playfield for its usually technical chronometer watches. At Baselworld 2018, the brand releases the Edition 1785, five unique pieces of the Chronomètre FB 1R, fashioned out of bronze and featuring different patina.

8 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor Lady – Mechanical Masterpiece With Exquisite Looks

Independent watchmaker Romain Gauthier has a masterful way of blending technology and design to create watches that are works of art, as well as timekeeping devices. For the past 13 years since Romain Gauthier started his eponymous brand in 2005, he has built his own movement components, developed four in-house calibres and handcrafts just about 60 watches per year – making Romain Gauthier one of the most exclusive watch brands on the market. It was at Baselworld 2017 that he unveiled his fourth calibre, the Insight Micro-Rotor. Now, Romain Gauthier unveils its first made-for-women watch: the Insight Micro-Rotor Lady.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Breguet Reine de Naples 8908, a Gold Easter Egg for a Queen

During our meeting with Breguet at Baselworld 2018, the brand pointed out that Breguet’s women’s watches account for a full 40% of the brand’s sales and that one of the current best-sellers worldwide is the Reine de Naples Ref. 8918 of 2017. The goose that lays the golden eggs at Breguet is the Reine de Naples watch, the distinctive egg-shaped watch that has appeared in countless jewellery variations since its debut in 2002. Revisited this year with Ref. 8908, this Reine de Naples automatic ladies’ model is housed in an 18k rose gold case set with diamonds and features a dreamy Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial, a moon phase complication, and a power reserve indicator.

8 years ago

First Look – Urban Jürgensen 2140 White Gold with a Black Guilloché Dial

It is no secret that we are big fans of Urban Jürgensen here at MONOCHROME watches. Inspired by a century-old history, the singularity of the Swiss/Danish brand lies in a distinctive perception of elegance where craftsmanship, integrity and patience are carefully preserved. The latest addition to the Jules collection, the reference 2140 WG is no exception. This elegant three-hander is delivered in a tastefully restrained white gold case housing a handcrafted guilloche black dial.

8 years ago

First Look – AkriviA “Rexhep Rexhepi” Chronomètre Contemporain, The New Face of Tradition

Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the most talented watchmakers in the industry. The founder of AkriviA is often presented as the future of independent watchmaking. There are probably no better ways to understand AkriviA than to pay a visit to the brand’s Atelier in Geneva old town. There you’ll discover a handful of detail-obsessed watchmakers bent over their bench, magnifying glass screwed to the eye, working with a set of ancient machine and tools, using century-old gestures. AkriviA watches are impeccable, handmade like in the old days, elevating the watchmaking art to the highest level. But do not be mistaken, the time has not stopped there. The faces of these skilled craftspeople are surprisingly young. AkriviA watches are modern creations infused by fresh, dynamic and passionate watchmaking minds…

8 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral

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.

8 years ago