Category: High-end Watches

Hands-on – Atelier de Chronométrie AdC #1 and AdC #2 – As Hand-Made As Possible

Hand-made… these two words are too often misused in the world of watches, but not so when talking about Beat Haldimann as we recently did, or when talking about Atelier de Chronometrie. The latter, a small independent watch brand from Barcelona, rebuilds or revives vintage Omega’s, entirely by hand. Approx. a year ago, our managing editor Brice Goulard wrote about Atelier de Chronometrie and their (at that time) latest creation, the AdC #5. Today we’re taking a look at two similarly hand-made, rebuild timepieces based on vintage Omega wristwatches from the 1950’s, dubbed AdC #1 and AdC #2.

6 years ago

Independent Watchmaking – Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon Piece Unique

There are only a handful of watchmakers who perform their art in the oldest and most traditional way, meaning by hand. Beat Haldimann and his team are among the few who still make watches without the help of CNC machines. Haldimann’s collection of timepieces focuses on centrally positioned regulating organs, like the H11 and H12 that we showed you last year. Today we’re going to take a closer look at a unique execution of Haldimann’s first wristwatch, the H1 Flying Central Tourbillon.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Breguet Tradition Chronographe Indépendant ref. 7077

While the chronograph is certainly one of the most popular complications, most people do not realize that it is among the most complex mechanisms to develop and assemble. While most chronographs are based on a timekeeping “engine”, on which a second gear train engages to drive the chronograph, some folks found this idea inefficient (and […]

6 years ago

Review – The Superb Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater 5531R

The Patek Philippe 5531R was born with the perfect pedigree to become a cult watch. Combining for the first time two of the most iconic complications from Patek Philippe, it is both a world time watch and a minute repeater. This remarkable timepiece was premiered at the Patek Philippe Art of Watches exhibition (New York […]

6 years ago

Independent Watchmaking – The Entirely Hand-Engraved Kees Engelbarts Organic Skeleton Ref. 1867 (Hands-On)

Kees Engelbarts’ latest creation is a compendium of his skills fusing his love affair with a millenary Japanese metalworking technique, his mastery of engraving, and his radically artistic approach to skeletonisation. Engelbarts’ Organic Skeleton Ref. 1867 is a unique handmade work of art enlivened with textures, engraved surfaces, partial views of the movement and psychedelic […]

6 years ago

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.

6 years ago

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.

6 years ago

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.

6 years ago

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.

6 years ago