High-end Watches Archives - Page 76 of 122

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Armin Strom GMT Resonance now in Pink or White Gold

Armin Strom gained fame over the years for its bold skeletonised movements but really made an impact in the watchmaking arena when it resuscitated a 400-year old phenomenon known as resonance. The ensuing Resonance Collection with its dual – and independent – regulators was a hit but limited to models displaying time only functions. In a move to expand and endow the watch with complications, the resonance technology migrated to the Masterpiece I collection offering a useful GMT/dual time function. First launched in a Dual Time Resonance model in titanium in October 2018, Armin Strom unveils the same model in 18k white and rose gold cases in a limited edition of eight pieces in each metal.

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Capitole in Rose Gold / Brown Dial

Since the SIHH 2017, Parmigiani has relaunched the Toric collection, bringing it back not only in hyper-complex editions but also in more simple versions, like the Toric Qualité Fleurier and the Toric Chronomètre – two watches with time-and-date displays, which were re-editions of Michel Parmigiani’s first watch. However, PF doesn’t forget its high-end collection and as part of the pre-SIHH 2019 novelties, the brand introduces a new version of the superb and original Toric Capitole, now in Rose Gold / Brown Dial – with a combination of chiming complication and wandering hours.

Auction – Christie’s To Auction 24 Unique Moritz Grossmann Online, for the Brand’s 10th Anniversary

While the name Moritz Grossmann refers to a great watchmaker and the founder and director of the German School of Watchmaking in Glashütte, back in the 19th century, the brand as we know it today is still rather new on the German watchmaking scene. However, this year is an important step for the brand, which has been founded back in 2008. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its rebirth, Moritz Grossmann releases 24 one-off timepieces representing the past, present and future of the brand, to be sold online through the world’s leading auction house, Christie’s.

Introducing – Vacheron Constantin “Mécaniques Sauvages” – A Collection of Grand Complications and Artistic Crafts

Defying the restraint and moderation that has settled over the watchmaking scene of late, it is refreshing to see such a magnificent display of mechanical luxury and grandiose craftsmanship. Unleashing a menagerie of majestic wild animals, Vacheron Constantin gives a riveting display of its inexhaustible creativity and mechanical expertise. Mécaniques Sauvages is a bespoke collection of unique pieces made in Vacheron Constantin’s very own customisation department – Les Cabinotiers – where horological fantasies spring to life. To give you an idea of what the watchmakers at Les Cabinotiers are capable of producing, think back to Reference 57260, a private commission delivered in 2015 with no fewer than 57 complications under its belt, making it the most complicated timepiece on our planet.

Pre-SIHH 2019 – IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince”

Among the four watches that IWC introduces for its pre-SIHH 2019 collection are three ‘standard’ pieces – a chronograph, a double-chronograph and a world time – and one very exclusive, complicated piece; the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince” IW590303 (yes, quite a name…) Nevertheless, if some will point to a lack of relevance […]

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece Opaline Black & White

At the SIHH last year, Laurent Ferrier introduced a superb watch, both visually and technically: the Galet Annual Calendar School Piece. Not only it brought a brand-new movement, hand-wound and with a clever annual calendar display but the design, totally in line with our perception of Ferrier, was just beautiful. And there was that pale yellow gold case too… One of favourite “indie” watches of 2018. As part of the Pre-SIHH 2019 novelties, the Geneva-based brand is launching new versions of this watch, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece Opaline Black & White, with new dial colours and finishes.

Pre-SIHH 2019 – HYT H20 “Time Is Fluid” (Hands-On)

Since 2012, HYT has measured time in a non-conformist way, uniting esthetics, technology and somehow philosophy. Time is fluid and its flow is displayed by liquids moved by a mechanical movement (To learn more about the company and its innovative, patented technology, you can watch our recent video here.) Presented in 2018, the H0 and H²0 models express the flow of time with smooth curves, fluid shapes and virtually no straight lines. It showcases the brands raison d’êtrein a striking way. The fluidic time indication is presented in full glory, under an impressive cloche-like sapphire crystal. This allows a 360° visibility of the time and of the mechanical movement’s architecture.

In-Depth – The Breguet La Marine Alarme Musicale 5547 Reviewed

If Breguet is renowned for its Classique collection and its pilot’s watch range (Type XX and others), the catalogue also comprises another important collection named La Marine. Not only does it represents the sport(ier) side of the brand – don’t expect bold “Hublotesque” touches, we’re at Breguet – but it is also a link to a […]

Independent Watchmaking – In Conversation with “Monsieur” Philippe Dufour

Philippe Dufour is a living legend. The independent watchmaker is one of most (if not the most) revered craftsmen in the industry and his watches are regarded as the ultimate in traditional hand-finishing. We visited the 70-year-old master in the small village of Le Solliat, in the Vallée de Joux. There, Philippe Dufour crafts his watches entirely by hand, elevating the art of watchmaking to the highest level. Visiting his workshop is a unique experience. It is exactly what you have dreamed about, and yet everything is a surprise and catches your attention: old tools, ancient machines, drawers, books, raw materials… This place has soul.

Introducing – Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T “Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac”

Since 2010, Chopard has released a menagerie of beautifully crafted Urushi dials to celebrate the animals of the Chinese zodiac. At the end of 2017, Chopard decided to regale collectors with a superlative one-off piece. Not only did it congregate all 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, hand-engraved on the sides of the case, but the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit was also equipped with a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon. A similar collector’s edition, decorated with motifs of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations was presented during the SIAR and sold in six minutes flat. For 2019, which coincides with the Year of the Pig, Chopard repeats the formula and unveils its latest homage to Chinese cultural traditions with this unique L.U.C masterpiece.

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Category: High-end Watches