High-end Watches Archives - Page 93 of 122

The Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance now with Guilloché Dials by Voutilainen

Recently, we had the opportunity to spend some quality hands-on time with the new Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance, and it now receives some superb guilloché dials. Creating an outstanding contrast between technology and modernity (the movement) and tradition (the dials), the creation of this new watch involved more than Armin Strom’s watchmakers… We had previously seen the watch at SalonQP in London, but it wasn’t quite ready for publication then, so we had to hold off until now to share all the tantalising details with you. We’re pretty sure you’ll agree though, that it was definitely worth the wait.

VIDEO – The Timelessness of the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia collection by Anthony de Haas and Bruno Moinard

A great looking simple dress watch has a certain “je ne sais quoi”. Of course there’s is only so much you can do as a designer, at least that what most laymen think. And also to us there are some very simple 2, or 3-hand watches that are just… perfect. The size, the shape of the case, that small bevel on the lugs, and that lovely straight-brushed case-band, or any other detail that can just hit the right note. But how difficult is it to find that perfect balance when designing something. We set out and asked the experts, Anthony de Haas, A. Lange & Söhne’s director product development, and Bruno Moinard, an acclaimed architect and designer. What is timelessness, and how to translate this, in all subtleness, into a design that will remain appealing for decades, or even centuries. Here’s what they told us about this ‘elusive’ property.

Hands-On – Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Chronor Anniversaire (and its superb movement)

Introduced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Parmigiani Fleurier (founded in 1996), the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is powered by an exceptional movement, the first integrated chronograph movement from the brand – spiced up with a split-seconds functions and several cool features! The Tonda Chronor was awarded “Best Chronograph” at the prestigious GPHG 2017, which is …

A Technical Perspective – The Flexure Revolution, Compliant Mechanisms applied to Watchmaking

In mechanical engineering, compliant mechanisms (monolithic or joint-less structures) are flexible mechanisms that transfer an input force or displacement to another point through elastic body deformation, using the elastic properties of matter to affect the motion of mechanical components. These monolithic, compact and precise components replace several mechanically assembled parts. The absence of mechanical coupling eliminates contact, play, friction, wear, lubrication or dispersions.

Hands-On – Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hémisphère Rétrograde

The Toric was the first watch ever designed by Michel Parmigiani back in 1996. The collection was reintroduced at SIHH 2017 with the elegant Toric Chronomètre, a subdued, less complex take on the original case design. It is now presented in a stylish travel watch version with the Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde. The result is simply superb and the model has been awarded at the prestigious GPHG in the 2017 Travel Time category. Read on to learn more.

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.

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Category: High-end Watches