Two facts tell a lot about how Rolex deals with quality and precision. First, Rolex tests the accuracy of its Superlative Chronometers with tolerances that are twice those for the COSC official certification (to which the Rolex movements are systematically submitted anyhow). Second, in 2015, the brand set a new industry benchmark by offering a […]
As we’ve explained already, compliant mechanisms offer huge innovation potential for mechanical watchmaking. As another proof of this revolution, the latest version of the Ulysse Nardin Freak is packed with innovative applications of flexible parts, including a revolutionary flying oscillator whose tridimensional architecture is based on flexible silicon blades. Meet the latest model in a long lineage of innovative watches, the Ulysse Nardin Freak NeXt. And if it is still a concept watch for now, it might make it into production in a very near future.
The presence of one single heart is ingrained in our idea of biology and… watchmaking. In order to live – or to indicate the time accurately – one only need a single beating heart. But there are a few creatures with multiple hearts. And more and more watches come with multiple regulators – for different reasons. It is time to understand what multiple regulating organs can add to a watch.
If there is an official standard defining the features for a watch suitable for diving (ISO 6425), no such definition or standard exists (at least one that would be used throughout the industry) for another popular watch category: the pilot’s watch. Each and every brand has its own vision of what a pilot’s watch should […]
The launch of the Code 11.59 collection is a crucial moment for Audemars Piguet. There has been no product launch of this magnitude over the past 20 years for the brand. In this respect, the Code collection presentation was the perfect opportunity to introduce a long-anticipated development that was announced a few years ago: the Audemars Piguet Calibre 4400, an in-house, integrated chronograph movement – by no means a small achievement since chronographs are extremely difficult to develop.
Today MONOCHROME is visiting Schwarz Etienne, an independent watchmaker with an impressive level of vertical integration. We will first explore the brand and its nicely manufactured watches. Also, we’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets of the watch industry, the manufacturing of one of the most crucial parts of a watch: the hairspring. The hairspring, […]
When talking about contemporary watches, companies generally use either in-house or off-the-shelf movements, the latter supplied by various manufacturers. Many high-end brands like Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rolex and Breguet can produce in-house movements that are optimized for their portfolios. A watch company is considered “complete” when it can produce its own movement, but many still rely on outsourced ones from large Swiss manufacturers like ETA and Sellita. Yet, the market has changed. A few established brands have decided to offer entry-range automatic watches and mostly, microbrands are all over the place, with the need to offer mechanical movements for accessible prices. Alternatives to the usual Swiss generic calibres have thus becomes crucial.
When talking about contemporary watches, companies generally use either in-house or off-the-shelf movements, the latter supplied by various manufacturers. Many high-end brands like Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rolex and Breguet can produce in-house movements that are optimized for their portfolios. A watch company is considered “complete” when it can produce its own movement, but many still rely on outsourced ones from large Swiss manufacturers like ETA and Sellita. Yet, the market has changed. A few established brands have decided to offer entry-range automatic watches and mostly, microbrands are all over the place, with the need to offer mechanical movements for accessible prices. Alternatives to the usual Swiss generic calibres have thus becomes crucial.
Today is the third and last instalment in our series of videos entitled “The Seamaster Chronicles”. Following our two previous movies – the first one focusing on the history of the legendary Seamaster, and the second one looking at how Omega managed to maintain the iconic status of this watch, even after 70 years of loyal service […]
Since 2009 and the introduction of the Carl F Bucherer Calibre A1000, peripheral rotors are getting more and more in vogue. With this smart and stylish solution, the winding mass is an annular segment mounted and swinging around the movement, instead of a centrally mounted oscillating weight rotating over it. This offers an unobstructed view of the movement along with providing the convenience of automatic winding. In addition, peripheral rotors allow watchmakers to design thinner self-winding watches, without adding to their thickness with an oscillating weight rotating over the movement.