Category: independent watchmaking

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.

7 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.

7 years ago

Review – RGM Classic Enamel PS-801-CE, The Pride of the “American Made” Watch

When you think of great American watch companies, brands like Hamilton and Waltham come to mind. Neither of those are American anymore, with Hamilton ending US production in 1969 after being acquired by the Buren Watch Company in Büren an der Aare, Switzerland. Hamilton ultimately became part of the Swatch Group and remains a popular […]

7 years ago

Introducing – The British-Made Garrick Regulator with Engine-Turned Dial

British watchmaker Garrick has just unveiled a new version of its popular Regulator timepiece, complete with gorgeous engine turned dials. Launched in 2016, the initial run of Regulator watches was limited to just 15 pieces. Since then, it’s proven itself to be one of the independent brand’s most popular models. Now, it seems Garrick has finally bowed to the pressure of repeated requests for more watches to be made, much to the delight of brand’s devoted following we’re sure.

7 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 […]

7 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.

7 years ago

Interview – In conversation with Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie.

On the occasion of the launch of H. Moser & Cie. X Bucherer Blue Editions in Schaffhausen, we had the opportunity to sit down with Edouard Meylan, the brand CEO. The Meylan family-owned company makes about 1,500 watches per year with Moser and manufactures over 50,000 hairsprings/assortments per year with Precision Engineering AG (for H. Moser & Cie. and for third-parties). It was time for us to sit and talk with Edouard and to have answers to certain questions we had about the brand, its unique communication strategy and its products.

7 years ago