A Technical Perspective – The Flexure Revolution, Compliant Mechanisms applied to Watchmaking

In mechanical engineering, compliant mechanisms (monolithic or joint-less structures) are flexible mechanisms that transfer an input force or displacement to another point through elastic body deformation, using the elastic properties of matter to affect the motion of mechanical components. These monolithic, compact and precise components replace several mechanically assembled parts. The absence of mechanical coupling eliminates contact, play, friction, wear, lubrication or dispersions.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hémisphère Rétrograde

The Toric was the first watch ever designed by Michel Parmigiani back in 1996. The collection was reintroduced at SIHH 2017 with the elegant Toric Chronomètre, a subdued, less complex take on the original case design. It is now presented in a stylish travel watch version with the Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde. The result is simply superb and the model has been awarded at the prestigious GPHG in the 2017 Travel Time category. Read on to learn more.

8 years ago

NEWS – The Chopard Full Strike Wins the GPHG 2017 “Aiguille d’Or” (And all the results of the Grand Prix)

As you’ve probably seen through the live feed we provided to you, today was the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, also known as the Oscars of the Watchmaking Industry, celebrating the best watches (via 12 different categories, for 16 different prizes) of the year. While in 2016 the “Aiguille d’Or” (the prize for the best watch of the year) went to Ferdinand Berthoud and their superb FB1 watch. Well, if a brand can’t win twice in rough the GPHG, the “Aiguille d’Or” will, however, remain in the hands of the Scheufele family, as the winner of the GPHG 2017 is Chopard and the impressive Full Strike.

8 years ago

Buying Guide – The Best Dress Watches of 2017 to Prepare the Holiday Season – Part 1

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it’s nearly time to tackle your gift list (including some to give yourself) and for us to plan our gift guides. We’ll start our series by trying to help to make dressing up easier, so we’ve picked 13 dress watches of 2017 with choices to suit every pocket and taste. And because that would be a lot for one single article, here is part one, with 7 watches priced under CHF / EUR 20,000.

8 years ago

Hands-On – The New Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390, Inspired by the Impressive Chiron

Parmigiani Fleurier had lifted the veil on this development over a year ago with the presentation of a spectacular concept watch, on the occasion of the launch of the Bugatti Chiron at the 2016 Geneva Motor show. After a few more months of development, the model has now made it to production in an updated version – and it looks even better! Here is the final version of the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390.

8 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Hands-On with the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma

Just over 20 years old now, the eponymous brand Parmigiani Fleurier, founded by Michel Parmigiani in 1996, is known for its classic and elegant watches with hand crafted movements made in-house in the brand’s Fleurier workshops – and a certain twist in the design, quite Italian. Initially creating men’s watches – with one of his first wristwatch introductions being the tonneau-shaped Kalpa – Parmigiani unveiled the women’s Kalparisma line in 2009 as a gentler take on time.

8 years ago

Buying Guide – The New Watches of 2017 to Buy with 10,000 USD/Euro

Let’s agree on one fact: in the world of watches, 10,000 USD/Euro is a perfect median budget. It allows access to most of the luxury brands, including the most coveted ones, to benefit from proper Swiss quality (and by that I mean watches that really are Swiss Made) and finally, you can access to what drives the passion for watches: in-house or exclusive movements. If 10,000 USD/Euro is already a strong budget, trust us, it’s probably the best money-spent/pleasure ratio possible. Here are 5 watches launched in 2017 priced around the “10k psychological price point” and that won’t make you feel like you have lost your money (Oh and in fact, we have 6 watches…)

8 years ago

Introducing – Parmigiani Tonda Metrographe Montreux Jazz Festival 2017 Special Edition

Parmigiani Fleurier first joined forces with the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2007, building the foundations of a unique alliance between the worlds of watchmaking and music. The Montreux Jazz Festival is a must-see: George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Lauryn Hill,  Grace Jones, Erykah Badu… Just a few of the names who are set to perform at the 51st annual Montreux Jazz Festival. To celebrate 10 years of partnership, Parmigiani Fleurier is unveiling the Tonda Metrographe MJF Special Edition.

8 years ago