Category: independent watchmaking

Hands-on with the Hyper-Technical Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante (and how can it be, relatively speaking, so affordable)

Listen to that: double column-wheel, flyback, split-seconds, automatic chronograph skeletonized with tourbillon… Sounds like something we’re all dreaming off. It’s like the Lamborghini you had on your walls when teenager. Something too good to be true, or just way too expensive to be accessible, even for someone in a good professional position. Well, it seems that Angelus Watches does not agree with that, as they have such a watch in their catalogue. It is named the Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante and we’re going to look closely at it – and try to understand how it can be, relatively speaking, so affordable.

9 years ago

Introducing – Giuliano Mazzuoli Manometro with green and blue dials and still the same super-cool design

If you think about Giuliano Mazzuoli – in case you know it, and if not, now you know – you might have in mind a minimalistic but recognizable design as well as the use of fancy materials, rarely to never seen in watchmaking, like for instance marble or cement – yes, the case is made with these materials! Well if you think this is going a bot too far for, there might a solution in-between these and a traditional black or white dial, with the new Giuliano Mazzuoli Manometro with green and blue dials.

9 years ago

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.

9 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.

9 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, […]

9 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.

9 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.

9 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.

9 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. […]

9 years ago