Category: independent watchmaking

Hands-on – Andreas Strehler Papillon Sauterelle à Lune Exacte – The Most Precise MoonPhase Wristwatch Ever

Watchmakers are like all boys. When it comes to numbers, being first or having the greatest is always better – even if having the biggest (watch of course…) is not always desirable. Watchmakers always looked for the most complicated watch, for the watch with the most features, for the most precise movement or for the lightest case. And even when it comes to a specific complication, being the most accurate is a very good marketing argument – which of course always implies stupendous technical developments and immense watchmaking skills. In terms of MoonPhase, the title for the most precise was already in the hands of Andreas Strehler, but it’s now even better with his new Papillon Sauterelle à Lune Exacte.

8 years ago

Introducing – Manufacture Royale Androgyne Royale Skeleton Tourbillon in Steel (Live Pics, Specs & Price)

Quite recently, we showed to you two of the watches introduced by Manufacture Royale, the Voltige and the Haute Voltige (the Dual-Time version of the first). These watches, technically interesting, also show the new style, cleaner and easier, wanted by the brand. However, we should not forget what Manufacture Royale started with in 2010, watches with a very strong design, such as the Androgyne. Here is a new version of this watch, with a revamped movement, the Manufacture Royale Androgyne Royale Skeleton Tourbillon – and it comes in steel.

8 years ago

Introducing the Manufacture Royale Androgyne Royale Skeleton Tourbillon

Manufacture Royale’s latest is a variation of its Androgyne Origine tourbillon, characterised by a large, peculiar and mechanical-looking case. The Androgyne Royale is equipped with a skeleton movement with the bridges, base plate and tourbillon cage finished with a bright blue or grey coating. The Androgyne watch case is instantly recognisable, 43mm in diameter with articulated, […]

8 years ago

Hands-On – MB&F LM101 in Platinum with Blue Dial (Personal Thoughts, Live Pics & Price)

MB&F and their crazy horological machines… Even after 11 years and 12 watches (plus all the special editions), what Max Bûsser and his team and friends achieved still fascinates us. Even the most classical, most rational piece of the collection, the LM101, is far from being an usual suspect. And the latest edition, combining a platinum case with a striking blue dial is not going to change what I think about this specific watch. Overview of the MB&F LM101 in platinum with blue dial.

8 years ago

French & Independent – Olivier Jonquet Introduces New Watches, the Carosse and the Capitaine (Specs & Price)

2 years ago, a French passionate had a rather crazy idea: launching a watch brand. In this market driven by massive companies, there is however some room for smaller, more exclusive and more soul-driven pieces, some watches that will answer the needs of more mature or more selective collectors. The Olivier Jonquet Elie achieved its subscription process and all the pieces offered were sold. Time is now for more rational projects, with new watches to be introduced, still with the same concept. Here are the Olivier Jonquet Carosse and Captain watches.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon, in steel with a striking blue dial (live pics, specs & price)

The Moon has always been a huge source of fascination for us, mere mortals. From its association with Antique Gods, to its first attempt of explanations by Greek scientists, to all the different symbolisms it had through history, the Moon has always fascinated men – a fascination that came to a pinnacle in 1969, when Mankind finally achieved to walk on what has always been its closest but yet unknown sister. Still today, we all have a certain relation with this satellite and wearing a watch with the age of the moon displayed on the dial is a sort of poetical, quite magical. And if you’re looking for a display that feels even more striking, the Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon won’t disappoint. Here is its steel and blue dial version.

8 years ago

Introducing the Astor+Banks Pilomatic, an Affordable, American Aviator’s Watch

Chicago-based Astor+Banks is a new brand that concentrates on affordable watches with a military-style design. After a quartz chronograph and a time-only, hand-wind, Astor+Banks third wristwatch is the Pilomatic, a watch that takes its cues from several well known aviation timepieces. The Pilomatic is stainless steel, 42mm in diameter and fitted with a sapphire crystal. […]

8 years ago

Introducing a new independent watchmaker, Kaj Korpela, and its “Timepiece No. 1”, a properly hand-made tourbillon

In the watchmaking industry, some terms are certainly often misused, like for instance “independent watchmaking” or “hand-made“. What we are going to show you today represent these two notions in their purest form, something in the vein of Roger Smith, Georges Daniels or Philippe Dufour – don’t expect us to make comparisons on the watch or the level of finishing here, we’re talking about the spirit behind the watch. Today, open your eyes and enjoy the Kaj Korpela “Timepiece No. 1”, a truly hand-made tourbillon, from a properly independent watchmaker. This is why we love watches here at Monochrome and it immediately brought a big “WOW” on our lips. And keep in mind that this is the first watch, from a new brand…

8 years ago

Hands-On with the Louis Moinet Memoris 200th Anniversary Chronograph

Louis Moinet was a 19th century French watchmaker who was a contemporary of Abraham-Louis Breguet, but whose name receded into history until the brand was revived in 2004. Louis Moinet’s greatest claim to fame, however, only came in 2013 when the brand’s owner discovered a chronograph capable to measuring a sixtieth of a second, created in 1816 […]

8 years ago