Category: independent watchmaking

The Collector’s Series – Thor Svaboe’s Independent Choice for a Bespoke 3D-Printed Holthinrichs Ornament

Thor Svaboe (here on Instagram) comes from Norway but his choices for watches are nothing cold as his country. Thor has a day job as a sales manager, but his heart and soul lie in his position as an Independent Editor for Time+Tide Watches. From his home close to Oslo he takes on a discovery tour uncovering his passion for the independent Dutch brand Holthinrichs Watches from the city of Delft. His bespoke Ornament model is one of his big loves. And today we discuss what makes this watch so special to him – and it goes far beyond the fact that it was its 50th-anniversary watch and that it includes some highly personal engravings on the movement side.

5 years ago

Introducing – The De Bethune DB28XP Meteorite

Unveiled in 2020, the DB28XP distils the essence of De Bethune into an extra-flat version of the emblematic DB28. Three models were originally presented, including one with a tourbillon regulator. For 2021, a new model joins the collection, echoing some of the themes that have become the brand’s hallmarks. Here’s the new De Bethune DB28XP […]

5 years ago

Introducing – Canadian Indie Watchmaker Bradley Taylor and his Debut Watch, the Paragon

In this fast-paced digital world, there are still some who care about traditions, craftsmanship and historical relevance. We at MONOCHROME applaud this, being the kind of mechanical watchmaking we like. Canadian-born watchmaker Bradley Taylor is one of those young guns who have the skills and determination to meticulously craft a beautiful timepiece, in very limited […]

5 years ago

The Collector’s Series – Andrew and His H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds with Midnight Blue Dial

Today I’m talking with a long-time friend about his H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer with a striking blue dial; Andrew McUtchen. You might know him as the co-founder of Time+Tide, but also co-founder of the Fatherhood, and he’s what I’d call a true watch buddy. After a career at GQ Australia, he was crazy enough to try and make a living as a watch blogger (we have something in common here…) and he loves to wear his beloved H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds Midnight Blue Dial on a custom Kudu strap. According to the Aussie, H. Moser & Cie. is “sizzle and steak. And fries. And a funny waiter, too!” No clue what he means by that, but let’s find out.

5 years ago

Introducing – The Louis Erard Excellence Émail Grand Feu Small Seconds

Louis Erard, the independent Swiss brand with a tradition of accessible luxury, has gained considerable traction in the past couple of years. One of the brand’s strategies to gain visibility for its Excellence collection was to invite designers Alain Silberstein and Eric Giroud, and even watchmaker Vianney Halter, to reinterpret the traditional regulator in a […]

5 years ago

Introducing – The Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen, with Cherry Red Dial

Schwarz Etienne is sort of a hidden gem in the Swiss watch industry. Not only a brand, it is part of a watchmaking group that manufactures watches and movements in-house (including production for third-party brands, such as MING) but also hairsprings (with sister company E2O innovations). The group even manufactures CNC machines to produce watch components. And the […]

5 years ago

The Collector’s Series – Todd Searle and his MB&F HM7 Aquapod Titanium Blue

Today we’re talking with someone who bought an MB&F. And while MB&F is already pretty much ‘out there’ with their designs (remember the drop-dead-gorgeous LM1 owned by @winewhiskeywatches), today’s collector got one of the most unusual designs in the world of watches. Today’s collector was not necessarily a long-time watch collector, but he has an eye for the unusual, for the creative side. His name is Todd Searle and his business card states “Creator at Large”. He’s both an author, a content creator and a sales professional. For Todd, it had to be the MB&F Horological Machine HM7 from the first glance. Let’s find out what it was that attracted this collector from Chicago, Illinois, in this bold watch.

5 years ago