Hands-on – LAURENT FERRIER x URWERK LR-UR 2 – Going for an Encore of the Arpal One

Following the intense teamwork and understanding that developed between Laurent Ferrier and Urwerk’s dynamic duo – Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner – to create the Arpal One timepiece for the Only Watch Auction of 2017, the sale of the watch left them with an empty nest syndrome. To counter the blues they were experiencing, they decided to go for an encore and have created four signed watches named LR-UR 2, which, like the Arpal One, will “be sold for the benefit of medical research”. While the shape of the case and the movement are the same as the Arpal 1, the material of the case and finishes are light years apart.  The only problem with these four watches is that their parents don’t want to give them a name because they “merely represent the lap of honour of an outstanding team.”

7 years ago

Hands-on – Bovet Recital 22 ‘Grand Recital’ – A Fascinating Astronomical Watch

Timekeeping is a child of astronomy. Everything related to the calculation of time and calendar indications has to do with the motion of the Earth, the Moon and, of course, the Sun. It is no surprise that some brands (a few brands…) use this to create complex yet fascinating watches. For its latest creation, Bovet gives a splendid horological recital conducting the Earth, the Sun and the Moon into a celestial ‘pas de trois’. Meet the captivating Bovet Recital 22 ‘Grand Recital’.

7 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 Mechanical Marvels from Baselworld 2018

On the contrary of most of the other buying guides we’ve published, the present one is more of a “wish list” or a “dream list” rather than a proper guide – or consider it a guide for those who already have everything they need and more. Nothing here is rational, it’s all about passion, ingenuity, creativity and impressive mechanics. From the thinnest automatic watch ever created to a signing automaton or an atomic sympathique clock, here the 5 most impressive mechanical creations we’ve seen at Baselworld 2018.

7 years ago

Hands-on – MeisterSinger Metris collection – Young, Fresh and Affordable

Meistersinger, the brand that offers (mostly) single-handed watches and that we’ve come to love, is stepping up its game in recent years. New movements, new complications, new concepts to display time with as few hands as possible and really staying true to their less-is-more approach to timekeeping. Last year saw the introduction of the unusual but cool Meistersinger Salthora Meta X dive watch and this year Meistersinger brings a new kid to their family of watches; the young, fresh and accessible Metris.

7 years ago

Introducing – HYT H0 x Eau Rouge

The base concept of HYT Watches has always been around fluids. In fact, this fluid gives life to the watch and animates its functions, here the indication of the time. In this perspective, the HYT H0 (and the rest of the collection) are not that far from humans… This is why the brand’s latest creation, the HYT H0 x Eau Rouge, the colour red alludes to the very essence of life, the fluid that makes us alive: blood. Besides this, we also have new watches that looks superbly bold.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde

With the Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde, Blancpain introduces its first model ever with jumping hours and retrograde minutes. And that’s not all… There is much more than first meets the eye with this elegant Villeret watch. Its no-nonsense time display and clean, classic look incorporate technically challenging complications and superb craftsmanship. Let’s take a close look.

7 years ago

Hands-on – HYT H0 Gold Blue Fluid

Yellow gold watches divide opinion, but they are definitely back in style, in particular with more modernly designed and bold watches – which is quite an anachronism but can definitely bring an impressive result. A case in point, at SIHH 2018, HYT unveiled yellow gold versions of its H0, taking the model to new territories.

7 years ago

Review – Reservoir Supercharged Sport – Automotive-Inspired with Cool Jumping Hour/Retrograde Minute Display

It is not the first time we talk about Reservoir Watches, a young brand that has made a name for itself with its cool, well-designed, original watches. Here, at MONOCHROME, we love the beauty of mechanics and novel ways of telling the time – and this Reservoir model, with its jumping hours and retrograde minutes, satisfies us on both levels. But it also comes with a very attractive price tag…So, let’s invest in some quality time with the Reservoir Supercharged Sport.

7 years ago

The Secrets Inside MB&F’s MoonMachine 2

After a long day admiring traditional watch fare from the more conservative brands, a visit to MB&F offers an energising boost of unorthodox horology.  Surrounded by a fleet of intergalactic watches, Balthazar the robot, an eight-legged table clock and even a chirping turtle automaton, it is plain to see that Max Busser’s enterprise is a bubbling cauldron of creativity. Busser is fast becoming the matchmaker extraordinaire of the watch world inviting talented friends from different disciplines to join in his creative cocktails where unlimited imagination coupled with impeccable craftsmanship are the main ingredients.

7 years ago