High-end Watches Archives - Page 108 of 136

Introducing – Glashütte Original Senator Tourbillon Edition Alfred Helwig

Glashütte Original is not necessarily known for its super-complicated watches, although there are certainly a few notable ones in the collection, such as the Senator Cosmopolite and the PanoLunar Tourbillon. What the German watch-manufacturer is known for, however, is making high-quality, elegantly designed timepieces that meld tradition with modern techniques. The latest example of this comes in the form of the newly announced, Senator Tourbillon – Edition Alfred Helwig. Read on for all the details.

Just Because – The Patek Philippe 5178G Minute Repeater Cathedral Gongs (and its sound)

Recently, Xavier and I had the pleasure to visit Patek Philippe’s manufacture, from the case and bracelet factory to the Haute Horlogerie ateliers. It’s only once you’ve been there that you can understand that something special is going on, especially at the HH workshop. Patek Philippe minute repeaters, which are manufactured there, have always been known to be best-in-class. And believe me, they are. To understand why we had the rare opportunity to go hands-on with the latest addition to the collection, the Patek Philippe 5178G – which is also the occasion to explain the concept of Cathedral Gongs and, of course, we have the sound too.

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph Now With Reverse-Panda Dial

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Montblanc introduced an entire collection focused on sports, the new Timewalker. The main source of inspiration for this collection certainly was Motorsport… But that was just a fraction of where these watches came from. In fact, there’s a longer story behind, as the TimeWalker collection is taking its DNA from early stop-watches made by Minerva (now owned by Montblanc) made for gentlemen drivers. On top of the range was a proper tribute piece, the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph, and this exact same stop-watch, with superb movement, is now coming with a new, slightly vintage “reverse-panda” style.

Review – Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire with Bespoke Dial – Best Men’s Watch at GPHG 2016

My wrist is a lucky one as I get to test a lot of seriously brilliant wrist watches. Whether it’s the understated Galet Square Tourbillon Double Spiral from Laurent Ferrier, the magnificent Datograph from A. Lange & Söhne, the ultra-thin and über-clean Piaget Altiplano in white gold, or even the € 60.000 Euro impressive Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days, I get to test (and enjoy) some of the most spectacular timepieces of our time. When I got the call from my fellow countrymen Bart and Tim Grönefeld, that they finally secured a 1941 Remontoire for me to test, I was delighted and excited. Here are my thoughts on the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire that now also comes with bespoke dials featuring guilloche and translucent enamel.

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” with Stoppable Jumping Second Limited Editions in 3 Colours of Gold and a Stainless Steel Unique Piece

In January 2017, one of the greatest and humblest men I had the chance to meet in this industry, Mister Walter Lange (1924-2017), founder of A. Lange & Söhne, sadly passed away. In honour of its company founder, the Saxon manufacture is enlarging its 1815 collection, a range of watches rich of heritage for the brand, with the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”. Inside this watch is a surprising and unexpected complication, a stoppable jumping seconds hand that dates back to a 150-year-old invention conceived by Ferdinand Adolph Lange. A future collector’s watch for sure.

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Hands-On with the Moritz Grossmann Tefnut Sleeping Beauty, Designed by Michael Koh

For an American watch lover and veteran journalist in the field, I have a particular affinity for German watch brand Moritz Grossmann. With roots dating back to 1854, the Glashütte-based brand was started by Moritz Grossmann, was one of those fine brands expropriated and all-but-lost during World War II, and was re-established in the Saxony region following the reunification of Germany just a short time ago by German watchmaker Christine Hutter.

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition 150 Years

As part of the new “150 Years” collection, which includes already two superb watches, the re-edition of the Pallweber and the Portugieser Tourbillon Constant Force, IWC treats us with an unprecedented combination of complications, integrated inside the iconic Portugieser case. Using the classical nautical look of this model with the addition of the new lacquered dials, here is the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition 150 Years, introduced as a Pre-SIHH 2018 novelty, and part of the 27 special watches that the brand will unveil at the 2018 Geneva watch fair.

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the IWC Portugieser Constant Force Tourbillon Edition 150 years

IWC is turning 150 next year. To mark the occasion, the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer is set to unveil a special Jubilee collection at SIHH, comprising 27 limited–edition watches from different collections. Among these and a bit prior to the Geneva-Watch-Fair, the new Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “150 Years” is the first IWC to combine a constant-force tourbillon with a single moon phase display that only needs to be adjusted by 1 day after 577.5 years. Here’s an early hands-on look at this beauty housing an impressive and highly-complex movement.

Review – The Patek Philippe 5320g Perpetual Calendar, and The Inspirations Behind This Vintage-Inspired Piece

At Baselworld this year, Patek Philippe introduced again a surprising watch, a piece with a unique look and a clear vintage inspiration – without mentioning a case to die for. For a few years now, Patek has accustomed us with a certain creativity, with watches that go out of the brand’s comfort zone (see for instance the controversial Calatrava Pilot 5524 or the Annual Calendar 5960A in steel). The 5320g Perpetual Calendar is amongst these special watches, even if here, it prompted a unanimously positive response. Today, we take a closer look at this vintage/military-inspired piece and also to the different watches that inspired its creation.

Introducing – Atelier de Chronométrie AdC #5 – 1940s Style and Mechanics Brought Back in Hand-Made Timepieces

If there’s one thing I love about my job is to discover new watch brands. I’m always stunned by the level of creativity infused by independent watchmakers, from the Sci-Fi creations of Urwerk or the ultra-classic propositions of Laurent Ferrier (who can do nice things together…) One brand we recently discovered at MONOCHROME cumulates quite some intriguing specificities. It isn’t Swiss, it makes things in an ultra-traditional way, whether for the design or the manufacturing process, and it’s all about one-off pieces. This brand is Atelier de Chronométrie and their latest creation is the AdC #5, which brings back to present times the superb 1940s design and mechanics

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Category: High-end Watches