The “Concept” concept by H. Moser & Cie. has been widely used recently, with watches devoid logos, markers or indexes (not even the Swiss-made mention). The idea is to focus on the watch and its execution, rather than on marketing and logotypes. In keeping with this concept, at Baselworld 2019 Moser launches a watch that […]
If Schwarz-Etienne is renowned for its production of great watchmaking classics, the brand also regularly releases highly creative métiers d’art timepieces, in particular with the Ode Series. Following the “Ode to the Week” and “Ode to Spring” limited edition sets, the latest creation in the ‘Ode’ series is inspired by the psychedelic art of the seventies. […]
Panda dials are favourites among watch aficionados. The racing-inspired timepieces with white or silver dial and contrasting black sub-dials became en vogue during the 1960s and 1970s, with sports chronographs providing high contrast readability. Their modern-retro flair never went out of style. But as classic as the panda dial has become, it has been rarely fashioned out of enamel, one of the most traditional manufacturing techniques – the only example we have found is a Jaquet-Droz “reverse panda”. Czapek is about to change that with its new Faubourg de Cracovie Chronograph Tao “Panda”.
The vogue for smaller watch case sizes has sent a clear message to watchmakers who are re-editing their most popular timepieces in more contained, classic diameters. Arnold & Son, the Swiss brand with the British surname – which specialises in modern interpretations of heritage pieces with a marked penchant for symmetry and complexity – has […]
If you are a regular reader of MONOCHROME, then you are no doubt already familiar with Karsten Frässdorf. After working behind the scene for several brands, the German Master watchmaker decided to create his own brand. His first creation with Montres Karsten Frässdorf, the Spirograph Tourbillon, is an innovative Tourbillon fit for daily wear and […]
Ressence likes to do things like no other in the watchmaking industry… Its approach is both modern, technical and unique, and yet lots of traditional mechanics inside. Already impressive with its in-house orbital display of the time, Ressence decided to even improve the concept with an oiled-filled piece, with the Type 3. And then, benefiting from this distortion-free system, a dive watch was launched. For 2019, the Ressence Type 5 gets updated with a Night blue dial – relevant for a dive watch!
Armin Strom was already known for their fascinating juxtaposition of modern skeletonization and traditional Haute-Horlogerie finishing. Something that here, at MONOCHROME, we’ve always seen as true “watchmaking lesson on the wrist”. Due to their openworked nature, you can see how the movement works. In 2016, Armin Strom introduced a watch that is nothing short of spectacular and that showcases one of the ultimate challenges in chronometry: resonance.
Despite the looming threat of Brexit, weak retail sales growth, and an underlying sense of doom and gloom in the UK, specialist artisan brands are still finding ways to survive. And in some cases, even thrive. British watch manufacturer Garrick is one of them. Having established a niche following, the brand has a very clear […]
Hautlence goes back to its roots. The brand was already famous for its unusual displays of the time – think about the jumping hours of the HL Ti 2 or the chain of the Vortex. At Baselworld 2019, the brand comes with a world-first, a wristwatch displaying the time thanks to a playful and spectacular spherical jumping hour/retrograde minute display. Meet the Hautlence HL Sphere 01.
At long last! We might not be a majority, but there are plenty of women out there who appreciate the micro-mechanical delights of a watch but are unwilling to settle for a men’s watch spruced up with stones. MB&F has broken its 14-year-long tradition of masterminding complex, visually arresting men’s watches and taken its first […]