Category: independent watchmaking

Hands-On – The Garrick S1 Prototype With Skeletonized Dial, Offering A Window Into British Watchmaking

For the last few years, we’ve been hearing about the so-called “resurgence” of British watchmaking. Run by passionate Brits with a strong streak of defiance, these small independent brands are (very) slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the market and proving they have what it takes to stick around for a while. One such brand, which we’ve written about several times before on MONOCHROME, is Garrick (you can find all past coverage here.) Today, we’re taking a closer look at the S1, the latest model from the brand, or rather a prototype of it. 

8 years ago

In-Depth – The MING 19.01 With Exclusive Movement By Schwarz Etienne (With Live Photos)

A few months ago, we introduced you to a brand new, Malaysian-based brand called MING and their debut timepiece, the MING 17.01. Designed by famed watch photographer Ming Thein, this break-out watch sold out almost immediately (thanks in no small part to its US$900 price tag.) Impressively, just a few months later, Ming and his team have already unveiled their second watch; the MING 19.01. With a radical design, a Swiss Made movement and an extra zero on the price tag, this new timepiece has definitely gotten the watch world talking. Read on for all the details.

8 years ago

Hands-On With The New MB&F Legacy Machine Split-Escapement

Last month, we introduced you to the stunning new MB&F Legacy Machine Split-Escapement. A successor of sorts to the highly popular Legacy Machine 1, which was officially retired by MB&F earlier this year after six years of faithful service, the Legacy Machine SE serves as yet another reminder that even when Geneva’s top Creative Lab is trying to be conservative, they’re still full of surprises. Luckily for us, MB&F were exhibiting at SalonQP last week, giving us the opportunity to spend a bit of hands-on time with this incredible new timepiece.

8 years ago

HYT Unveils a Third Alinghi Edition – Time for H1 to Celebrate the Yacht Racing Team

No need to present HYT and their fluidic watches anymore. They are unique, bold and mechanically fascinating. What is probably less known is the link between the watchmaker and the sea… Indeed, HYT has just unveiled a third limited watch in the frame of their partnership with Alinghi Yacht Racing Team. After the H4 and the H2, HYT has elected its signature H1 model to celebrate the iconic Swiss Sailing Team founded by Ernesto Bertarelli, the first European Syndicate to win the America’s cup.

8 years ago

Hands-On – The Alfred by Urban Jürgensen, The Steel Entry-Level to In-House Beauty

Recently, we showed you Urban Jürgensen’s real entry-level watch, a steel version of the Big 8 (priced at €12k), yet full of high-end details (crazy guilloche dial, superb hands, hand-finished case) but powered by an externally-sourced automatic movement. Now, if you want to enter into the beauty of exclusive calibres, no need to go crazy expensive and to go gold anymore. Urban Jürgensen has a new watch, the Alfred, which features, inside its steel case, the Maison’s P4 movement. It’s much more accessible, it is still superbly executed and it is sold online only.

8 years ago

Introducing – Laurent Ferrier Galet Square Porcelain Limited Edition

Since its inception in 2010, the brand Laurent Ferrier and its signature watch, the Galet, have always been favourites of ours, here at Monochrome. The reasons for that are simple: the design, the elegance, the execution and mainly, the beauty of the movements. Over the years, the collection has seen some evolutions, the most significant …

8 years ago

Introducing – Greubel Forsey QP à Equation now with Rhodium-Coloured Gold Dial

After exploring the tourbillon, by improving it on all aspects (by adding inclination to the cage, by having not one but two or even four of them or by changing the usual one-minute rotation to a faster 24-second cycle), it was time for Greubel Forsey to focus their mechanical creativity on something different… The choice was made to give a new vision of one of the most traditional complications, the Perpetual Calendar. Launched 2015, the Greubel Forsey QP à Equation now receives a new Rhodium-Coloured Gold Dial.

8 years ago

Hands-On – F.P. Journe and Holland & Holland Chronometre Watch With Unique Damascus Steel Dial

Just a few days ago in London, Swiss watchmaker F.P. Journe, in collaboration with British gun-maker Holland & Holland, unveiled two new limited edition timepieces. The independent watchmaker is known for marching to the beat of his own drum, and these new pieces are no exception. In an unexpected twist, they feature stunning Damascus steel dials, crafted from the barrels of two antique Holland & Holland shotguns, dating from 1868 and 1882 respectively. Read on for all the details.

8 years ago

Kees Engelbarts Pushes “Skeletonized” to Another Level with the Psychedelic Tourbillon

Few might know Kees Engelbarts here. It is true that is work will always remain confidential, however for very good reasons (that we’ll explain). He himself says that he can only produce 6 to 8 watches a year, all hand-made, unique, mostly commisioned pieces. But, believe us, Kees Engelbarts’ work must be discovered. His latest piece, the Psychedelic Tourbillon, is a perfect demonstration of what proper skeleton watches are. 

8 years ago