Category: High-end Watches

Introducing – URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray, the skeletonized version

The URWERK EMC TimeHunter is not just an impressive face. Like always with this independent manufacture, the design is… different, bold, aggressive, outrageous or futuristic (choose the desired adjectives). The EMC TimeHunter is far more than that, it is simply unique and revolutionary. Based on the self-adjustment of the movement so dear to the brand, this watch added the self-monitring capacity, in a very technical way. This highly-innovative watch receives a facelift and now comes in a skeletonized version, the URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray.

8 years ago

Introducing the revamped Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar (new dial, improved movement, ref. 5000T)

We have always said: there are huge analogies between the luxury car industry and the watchmaking industry whether we are talking about marketing, sponsorships, typology of collectors. In terms of products, we can also find similarities. It is extremely common for cars now to have their middle-life facelift, and this happens more and more in watches. Not entirely a new model, however slightly different from the previous version, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar goes through this process, with an improved movement (Calibre 1142QP) and a redesigned dial, becoming ref. 5000T.

8 years ago

My Summer with the Ressence Type 5 (and does it really have zero reflection under water)

If you remember, back in December 2015, when Benoît Mintiens (the founder of Ressence) showed me the Ressence Type 5 for the first time, I actually ended my article with a wish to have this watch as my summer watch. The team of Ressence heard my wish and granted it so here we are, with my review of this great, sort of unique watch, which I’ve been wearing for an entire summer. Usually I tend to be rather technical and factual in my reviews, but here I’m going to be slightly more focused on the wearability and on the feelings, trying to position myself as the owner of this watch. Here are my thoughts after my summer with the Ressence Type 5 on the wrist.

8 years ago

Introducing Balthazar, the new hyper-cool Robot Clock of MB&F x L’Epée

If you want me to be frank (and I’m usually rather direct), how useless are those MB&F Clocks… Who, in 2016, needs a table clock? By being purely factual, no one! Yes, and that’s why, together with their unique designs, MB&F Clocks are so cool. While the concept of the 19th century clock laid on a marble fireplace is, to a large audience, completely boring, the idea of those totally irrational, quite childish and purely mechanical clocks by MB&F and L’Epee makes a lot of sense, just to fight our way-too-rational daily context. Following Melchior, the Robot-Clock launched in 2015, here is its big brother Balthazar. But beware… If the front looks robotic, there is also a dark side to Balthazar, as there is in all of us.

8 years ago

HYT Bespoke, bold customization of already bold watches

Customization in the luxury industry is nowadays an almost regular practice (a costly one, but one that is often done). For instance, Louis Vuitton does one-off bags and Bugatti can create everything you want for your coming Chiron. In terms of watches, customization also exist but remains something more “hidden”, at least discreet. Few knows that for instance Patek does unique pieces on request of some special clients. Of course, things gets easier with independent watchmakers but once again, nothing is really organized or publicized. As strong innovators, HYT will change that and now offer a real, institutionalized customization program for their clients: HYT Bespoke.

8 years ago

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Classico Schooner America, with one crazy Cloisonne Enamel Dial tribute to the first America’s Cup

If there’s one thing that can be easily linked to Ulysse Nardin, it is the world of boats – and I mean everything related to this world, like Marine chronometers (they were the roots of this manufacture), yacht-oriented watches or a sponsorship of the world’s most famous nautical competition. While the latter partnership usually gives birth to modern and technical watches, such a this Marine Diver, tis time Ulysse Nardin pays tribute to the old-days of this race, with the Classico Schooner America, depicting on its superb dial, the first edition of 1851.

8 years ago

Hands-on with the Hyper-Technical Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante (and how can it be, relatively speaking, so affordable)

Listen to that: double column-wheel, flyback, split-seconds, automatic chronograph skeletonized with tourbillon… Sounds like something we’re all dreaming off. It’s like the Lamborghini you had on your walls when teenager. Something too good to be true, or just way too expensive to be accessible, even for someone in a good professional position. Well, it seems that Angelus Watches does not agree with that, as they have such a watch in their catalogue. It is named the Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante and we’re going to look closely at it – and try to understand how it can be, relatively speaking, so affordable.

8 years ago

Review – Ulysse Nardin FreakLab, the modern version of the mother of concept watches and silicon

In the small but fascinating world of watchmaking, some timepieces deeply influenced the whole industry. The Submariner almost defined what a dive watch should be. The story behind the Speedmaster is still an immense source of fascination. The Royal Oak created his own and so-respected category, the luxury sports watch. In a much more discreet way, Ulysse Nardin, in 2001, introduced a watch that deeply changed the face of modern watchmaking: the Freak, a watch that can be considered as the mother of concept watches and of silicon. Its time for us to review its successor, the Ulysse Nardin FreakLab.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Andreas Strehler Papillon Sauterelle à Lune Exacte – The Most Precise MoonPhase Wristwatch Ever

Watchmakers are like all boys. When it comes to numbers, being first or having the greatest is always better – even if having the biggest (watch of course…) is not always desirable. Watchmakers always looked for the most complicated watch, for the watch with the most features, for the most precise movement or for the lightest case. And even when it comes to a specific complication, being the most accurate is a very good marketing argument – which of course always implies stupendous technical developments and immense watchmaking skills. In terms of MoonPhase, the title for the most precise was already in the hands of Andreas Strehler, but it’s now even better with his new Papillon Sauterelle à Lune Exacte.

8 years ago

Introducing – Manufacture Royale Androgyne Royale Skeleton Tourbillon in Steel (Live Pics, Specs & Price)

Quite recently, we showed to you two of the watches introduced by Manufacture Royale, the Voltige and the Haute Voltige (the Dual-Time version of the first). These watches, technically interesting, also show the new style, cleaner and easier, wanted by the brand. However, we should not forget what Manufacture Royale started with in 2010, watches with a very strong design, such as the Androgyne. Here is a new version of this watch, with a revamped movement, the Manufacture Royale Androgyne Royale Skeleton Tourbillon – and it comes in steel.

8 years ago