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…

9 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 […]

9 years ago

Introducing the Kaj Korpela’s Hand-Made Tourbillon Wristwatch “Timepiece No. 1”

Hailing from northern Sweden, Kaj Korpela came to become an independent watchmaker by way of Ulysse Nardin and then a one year stint at Janvier S.A., Vianney Halter’s workshop. He then struck out on his own in 2008, setting up shop in Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland. He then produced timepieces and components for other brands, all […]

9 years ago

Up Close with the F.P. Journe Souveraine Minute Repeater

Typical of the brand’s timepieces, the F.P. Journe Souveraine minute repeater is a slim, elegant wristwatch with an ingenious movement featuring Journe’s signature flat hammers and gongs for the striking mechanism that also characterise the top of the line Sonnerie Souveraine. In fact, when the Souveraine minute repeater was first unveiled in 2008, it was the thinnest minute repeating wristwatch […]

9 years ago

Up Close with the Voutilainen GMR Triton et Sirène

Voutilainen is highly regarded, and rightly so, for his finely made watches that rank amongst the best in terms of movement finishing. The one of a kind GMR Triton et Sirène in white gold exemplifies Voutilainen’s craft. First introduced last year, the GMR is a more complicated version of Voutilainen’s Vingt-8 chronometer, featuring a second time zone at […]

9 years ago

Introducing Stefan Vinogradov and His Affordable, Hand-Made Skeleton Wristwatches

A native of Russia’s capital city, Stefan Vinogradov began making skeleton mechanical wristwatches in 2015. Each of his watches are custom made, featuring motifs dictated by the client. Now 28 years old, Vinogradov began his career at the Carl Faberge College in Moscow where he learnt the skills of a jeweller, which are similar to those in […]

9 years ago

Hands-On with the Jubileon Superellipse, a Crowdfunded Wristwatch That’s All About the Watch Case

Watches launched on Kickstarter typically combine simple, inexpensive cases with novel time display mechanisms, the bestselling Klokers KLOK-01 being a case in point. The Jubileon Superellipse is latest watch to hit the crowdfunding site, but it takes a different tack, concentrating instead on a high quality watch case in stainless steel for under US$500. Though put together by Swiss suppliers, hence the “Swiss […]

9 years ago

Discover the Harmony of Art & Science in Rudis Sylva

Ask anyone to recall a famous artist-scientist and there’s a good chance that one name comes to mind unbidden – Leonardo da Vinci. By the time of his death in 1519, Leonardo’s talents as an engineering artist were well documented by his faithful apprentice in a series of renowned…

9 years ago

For the Grown Up, 1980s Child: Hands-On with the RJ-Romain Jerome Super Mario Bros.

Romain Jerome occupies a tidy little niche in watchmaking with its “Generational Icons” line of watches that feature themes from pop culture, most famously Batman. The line tends to emphasise the 1980s – the DeLorean-DNA watch exemplifies that- smartly catering to those who grew up in that decade and who can now afford pricey watches. With Pac-Man […]

9 years ago

Up Close with the Laine Watch Classic Chronograph with a Remade Vintage Valjoux Movement

Despite the unexciting name, the recently announced Classic Chronograph is an impressive start for newly established Laine Watches. It’s a one-man independent brand established by Torsti Laine, a Finn who came to watchmaking late in life but nonetheless appreciates the finesse and quality of classic chronograph movements, hence the Valjoux 22 inside the Classic Chronograph. […]

9 years ago