Category: independent watchmaking

Unveiling the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual in White Gold (in both limited and non-limited editions)

Unless you have been in a coma for the past decade, you’re probably familiar with Max Büsser and Friends’ (MB&F) creations. Fueled by passion for the craft and unbridled creativity, the innovative horological lab played a pivotal role in the “indie” watchmaking rise. Out-of-the box thinking is the brand’s raison d’être. In 2011, when MB&F presented its first legacy machine (the LM1), a nod to watchmaking tradition, it had to be disruptive. And a few years later, when Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell and Max Büsser started to discuss about a perpetual calendar, the project brought to life another horological surprise transfiguring a century old complication into a sensational design. First launched in red gold and platinum, the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual is now available in white gold with purple or grey faces.

9 years ago

Dutch Made: discover the fantastic world of Hand-Engraver Kees Engelbarts (Video)

It’s not the first time that we show the work of master-engraver Kees Engelbarts. Kees is a Dutchman, moved to Geneva some 20 years ago to exercise his art (yes, his art…) in the land that is known for watchmaking. Besides commissioned work for high-end independent watchmakers and major brands alike, he also creates his own unique …

9 years ago

Hands-On with the HYT Skull Bad Boy in Damascus Steel

Damascus steel is an ancient alloy, perhaps as old as Alexander the Great, used to make blades so deadly that legend has it a sword of Damascus steel can halve a piece of floating silk. Damascus steel blades were produced in the Middle East with wootz steel, a high carbon steel allot imported from India, and used by both […]

9 years ago

The Elections… for the Watch of the Year and the GPHG that is!

While the race for presidency in the USA is going on until the last minute, we’ll of course focus… on watches! And in the world of watches, we also have elections. Just two weeks ago I attended the gala award ceremony for the election of the Watch of the Year, organised by our friends of Chronos24 in Poland. And this Thursday, when we finally know who’s going to be the new tenant of the White House, is the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – a.k.a the 2016 Edition of the GPHG. While the first becomes a bit international due to several international jury members – including yours truly – the latter can best be compared to the Oscars in the world of movies.

9 years ago

Event Report – At the Races with HYT Watches and Panis-Barthez Competition for the ELMS

Cars and watches… it’s a combination that always works, simple as that! Both worlds share many common points: precision mechanics, passionate fans, a toys-for-boys reputation… Such partnerships can range from classic cars to luxury supercars and sometimes even race cars. In the case of HYT Watches, the latter felt like a natural choice, with both worlds aiming for performance, innovation and using materials worthy of a spaceship. Today, we are sharing with you our experiences during an ELMS race in Estoril, with HYT Watches and Panis-Barthez Competition, the brand’s latest sports-oriented partner.

9 years ago

Introducing the Revolutionary Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance – and why it is a such Breakthrough in Watchmaking (VIDEO)

A breakthrough in Watchmaking: introducing the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance. Until now, Armin Strom was known for its superb skeletonized watches, mixing haute horlogerie features and sporty design. Today, Armin Strom propels a century old concept, Resonance, well and truly into the 21st century. In an exclusive first look, Monochrome unveils this revolutionary development (yes, simply that…) with technical insights, video and pictures.

9 years ago

Introducing the One-Handed Speake-Marin Veshelda Chinese

First introduced in 2014, the Veshelda is inspired by one of Peter Speake-Marin‘s earliest watches, the Shimoda. Both are characterised by a single, elongated hour hand tells the time to the nearest five minutes. The Veshelda Chinese is the latest in a series of one-handed limited editions, including one containing a drop of the most expensive […]

9 years ago

Up Close with the Zeitwinkel 082° Émail Grand Feu – Illustrating Quiet Quality

The 082° émail grand feu is Zeitwinkel’s first wristwatch with a fired enamel dial, but it retains all the key elements that distinguish the brand’s watches, including the wonderfully constructed in-house movement. Like all of Zeitwinkel’s other watches, the 082° émail grand feu is named after an angle, a nod to the company name, which means “time angle” in […]

9 years ago

Counting Down To SalonQP 2016, the London Watch Exhibition, 3 – 5 November 2016

In just a few short days, SalonQP 2016 will get underway at the Saatchi Gallery, London. From its humble beginnings, SalonQP has grown to be a must-visit annual watch event for collectors and enthusiasts alike from around Europe and even the world. This year promises to be no different, featuring new product launches, special exhibitions and, of course, the opportunity to get hands on with some really exceptional watches.

9 years ago

Hands-On – The new Urban Jürgensen Jules Collection (and an introduction to the brand’s rich history)

If you not familiar with the brand Urban Jürgensen yet and if haute horlogerie is one of your main interests, you clearly need to read what we’ll expose to you. While having a huge respect to traditional watchmaking, with a proper elegant design, these watches boast a definitely fascinating mechanical content. With a delicate touch of modernity, Urban Jürgensen renew their concept and introduce to us their latest creation, the Jules collection. But first, an introduction to the brand and its rich past is required.

9 years ago