High-end Watches Archives - Page 104 of 136

Jacob & Co. Opera Godfather Edition – Mechanically (and musically) Intriguing

Music exists in time. Uniting two traditional Swiss crafts, the Jacob & Co. Opera is a highly complicated timepiece and a wearable music box at the same time… Moreover, it is a spectacular show on the wrist that is pretty hard to depict. The ballet of its triple-axis tourbillon and its musical mechanism in action is surprising and captivating. Technically, the combination of these two rare complications is impressive. There is indeed a lot happening and if a picture is worth a 1,000 words, a video is worth a million… It is even a must to present a timepiece that defies traditional labels by playing the Godfather theme and by featuring a miniature Don Vito Corleone in its center!

Talking Future of Singer Reimagined with Rob Dickinson & Marco Borraccino (and a look at the new Track 1 Geneva Edition)

Back in June 2017, we were one of the first media to introduce to you a new brand named Singer Reimagined. The brainchild of Rob Dickinson, founder of Singer Vehicle Design, and Marco Borraccino, watch designer, the first timepiece they presented, the Track 1, was a super-cool, 1970s-inspired chronograph, which reimagined the way a stopwatch could be displayed – thanks to a crazy movement by Agenhor. After we took the time to talk cars and watches with Rob, it was the right moment for us to go back to Geneva and to sit down again with these guys, to talk future of Singer Reimagined with Rob & Marco (video above).

The Secrets Inside MB&F’s MoonMachine 2

After a long day admiring traditional watch fare from the more conservative brands, a visit to MB&F offers an energising boost of unorthodox horology. Surrounded by a fleet of intergalactic watches, Balthazar the robot, an eight-legged table clock and even a chirping turtle automaton, it is plain to see that Max Busser’s enterprise is a bubbling cauldron of creativity. Busser is fast becoming the matchmaker extraordinaire of the watch world inviting talented friends from different disciplines to join in his creative cocktails where unlimited imagination coupled with impeccable craftsmanship are the main ingredients.

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph in Pink Gold

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph is far from being a new watch. Indeed, even if it was updated in 2015 with a new dial that actually goes back to (almost) the original design of this watch, it is a well-known and well-established member of the collection. New animations were introduced at the SIHH 2018 and the 1815 Chronograph is now available in pink gold. A good enough reason to take a look back at this superb chronograph – and its stunning movement.

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5367 “Grand Feu” Enamel

In 2013, Breguet went on the technical side with the ref. 5377, the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique. It was and still is one of the thinnest automatic tourbillon watches ever created (only surpassed by this 1980s AP) and remains a proper technical feat, with its self-winding movement “charged” by a peripheral rotor. Complex inside, yet sleek outside. As a preview of the Baselworld 2018 collection, the brand introduces a new and even cleaner version, the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5367, now with “Grand Feu” Enamel dial.

Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planetarium – The World At Your Fingertips (Or At Least Your Wrist)

There is no denying that when it comes to women’s watches (and jewelry), the famed house of Van Cleef & Arpels pretty much always gets it right. This year, at the SIHH 2018, the brand proved itself yet again – with a host of new feminine watches that could almost have women drooling. However, one watch set itself apart from all the others for a host of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it brings the world to the wrist in stunning fashion. The Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planetarium Poetic Complication watch is an actual planetarium – a mechanical solar system model – on the wrist, the result of yet another collaboration with specialist Christiaan van der Klaauw.

Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition Bronze with new Salmon Dial

In late 2015, Montblanc introduced the first version of the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter. Fitted with a Minerva/Villeret monopusher movement, we were instantly smitten. The initial 18k red gold edition was soon followed by a version in steel, and then a gorgeous bronze number with a champagne dial. This year, Montblanc continues the bronze theme with the introduction of its latest limited edition 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, this time paired with a striking salmon dial.

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Outsize Date (SIHH 2018)

To me, one of the true marks of a great watch manufacturer is the ability to make interesting and desirable timepieces across a range of price points. Unfortunately, few brands seem to be able to achieve this with any consistency. There are exceptions of course, and A. Lange & Söhne is most certainly one of them. Proving my point is the new Saxonia Outsize Date, which was officially launched last month at SIHH 2018. We managed to spend a bit of hands-on time with the watch and can confirm it is as nice on the wrist as it looks in the photos.

The A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split – or the Triple “Wow Effect”

In the watchmaking world, there is the chronograph complication – in itself a complex type of movement that is hard to develop and to assemble. Then, there is the flyback chronograph, allowing for an instant reset-start of the timing session. And for years, right at the top of the food chain was the Split Seconds or rattrapante chronograph – the ultimate version of the stopwatch. That was the status quo until A. Lange & Söhne came on the market with a watch nicknamed by collectors the “Mighty Double Split” or the “Über-Chronograph“, a timepiece with split seconds and split minutes. This year, at the SIHH 2018, A. Lange & Söhne presented the Triple Split, the “mighter than mighty” version of its rattrapante chronograph. One watch that holds sway over them all…

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100

In the past years, Montblanc has treated us with some horological sweetness. That sweetness mainly came in the shape of chronographs featuring the old Minerva calibers 16.29 and 13.21, both showcases of how incredibly beautiful old Minerva chronographs can be. It started (again) with the arrival of CEO Jerôme Lambert (now COO of most Richemont watch brands) who launched the Pulsograph into Heritage Spirit collection back in 2014. This beauty featured the lovely historical Minerva calibre 13.21. In the following years, various iterations of the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter were introduced, featuring the magnificent large chronograph calibre 16.29.

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Category: High-end Watches