High-end Watches Archives - Page 88 of 123

Introducing – Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738/50P-001 – Celebrating 50 Years Of Golden Style

Patek Philippe unveiled several extremely impressive – and complicated – timepieces this year at Baselworld. The 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with a head-turning salmon dial was a personal favourite, as was the unexpected, but not unwelcome, Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G. Surprisingly though, it was one of the brand’s non-complicated models that really caught my eye. Artistic yet elegant and flawlessly executed, it celebrates a significant milestone of one of the Geneva-based Manufacture’s more understated collections. Introducing the Patek Philippe 5738/50P-001, commemorating 50 years of the Ellipse d’Or (or Golden Ellipse, in English).

Event – Patek Philippe To Showcase the 2018 Rare Handcrafts Timepieces at its Geneva Salons (April 19 to 21)

If Patek Philippe is known for its super-complicated watches and its iconic luxury sports timepieces, we often forget that there something else, something simply exquisite, that the brand masters: métiers d’art or rare handcrafts. Enamelling, micro-painting, micro-wood-marquetry, hand-guilloche… Few manufactures can compete with Patek in terms of such artistic work. From April 19 to April 21, the entire 2018 Rare Handcrafts collection, something that you don’t have the opportunity to see anywhere than at Baselworld, will be showcased to the public in the Salons on Rue du Rhône, Geneva.

Hands-on – De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius – Pimp your Constellation

De Bethune’s DB25 Starry Varius is a beautiful tribute to the firmament housed in a smaller, 42mm titanium case with an interesting customisation proposal. Every watch is a unique, one-off model offering you the possibility of customising the night sky to your heart’s desire. After a somewhat unsettled period for the brand, Pierre Jacques is back as CEO, there is a new private equity investor on board, and master watchmaker and co-founder Denis Flageollet can exercise his creativity in the integrated manufacturing facility the brand has in L’Auberson. And if the DB27 Titan Hawk V2 and the DB25 Starry Varius are any indication of the shape of things to come, De Bethune is well on its way to writing the next successful chapter in its watchmaking saga.

Hands-on – Grönefeld Parallax Tourbillon with new Steel Hammered (Tremblage) Dials

What a difference a dial makes! When Grönefeld unveiled the Parallax Tourbillon in 2014, it was the third watch coming from the Horological Brothers, Bart and Tim Grönefeld. After the GTM-06 (Grönefeld Tourbillon Minute Repeater) and the One Hertz, they wanted to showcase a large tourbillon. One that would hover over the dial, or at least at the same level as the dial, so it would have all spotlights on the perpetual dance of a tourbillon. With the new tremblage dials, the emphasis still remains at the large tourbillon, while it also showcases the masterful art of hand-made tremblage.

Hands-on – The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral

When we talk about innovation in watchmaking, Carl F. Bucherer is probably not a name that comes up often enough – which is a shame, as we demonstrated in an in-depth video. The fact is that the Lucerne-based Manufacture is doing some pretty interesting things, particularly with peripheral automatic winding systems. This year at Baselworld, the company presented a new model that takes that concept an impressive step further: the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral. What double peripheral means? Let’s find out.

Hands-on – Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde

With the Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde, Blancpain introduces its first model ever with jumping hours and retrograde minutes. And that’s not all… There is much more than first meets the eye with this elegant Villeret watch. Its no-nonsense time display and clean, classic look incorporate technically challenging complications and superb craftsmanship. Let’s take a close look.

Hands-on – The Ferdinand Berthoud Edition 1785 – 5 Unique Pieces with Patinated Bronze Cases

50 shades of bronze… Bronze is trendy and has been mainly used to craft dive watches. Yet, Ferdinand Berthoud thought that this material could be used differently and could be an interesting playfield for its usually technical chronometer watches. At Baselworld 2018, the brand releases the Edition 1785, five unique pieces of the Chronomètre FB 1R, fashioned out of bronze and featuring different patina.

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor Lady – Mechanical Masterpiece With Exquisite Looks

Independent watchmaker Romain Gauthier has a masterful way of blending technology and design to create watches that are works of art, as well as timekeeping devices. For the past 13 years since Romain Gauthier started his eponymous brand in 2005, he has built his own movement components, developed four in-house calibres and handcrafts just about 60 watches per year – making Romain Gauthier one of the most exclusive watch brands on the market. It was at Baselworld 2017 that he unveiled his fourth calibre, the Insight Micro-Rotor. Now, Romain Gauthier unveils its first made-for-women watch: the Insight Micro-Rotor Lady.

Hands-on – Breguet Reine de Naples 8908, a Gold Easter Egg for a Queen

During our meeting with Breguet at Baselworld 2018, the brand pointed out that Breguet’s women’s watches account for a full 40% of the brand’s sales and that one of the current best-sellers worldwide is the Reine de Naples Ref. 8918 of 2017. The goose that lays the golden eggs at Breguet is the Reine de Naples watch, the distinctive egg-shaped watch that has appeared in countless jewellery variations since its debut in 2002. Revisited this year with Ref. 8908, this Reine de Naples automatic ladies’ model is housed in an 18k rose gold case set with diamonds and features a dreamy Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial, a moon phase complication, and a power reserve indicator.

First Look – Urban Jürgensen 2140 White Gold with a Black Guilloché Dial

It is no secret that we are big fans of Urban Jürgensen here at MONOCHROME watches. Inspired by a century-old history, the singularity of the Swiss/Danish brand lies in a distinctive perception of elegance where craftsmanship, integrity and patience are carefully preserved. The latest addition to the Jules collection, the reference 2140 WG is no exception. This elegant three-hander is delivered in a tastefully restrained white gold case housing a handcrafted guilloche black dial.

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Category: High-end Watches