Watch Dandy

Editor’s note: There are more micro and independent watchmakers out there than you could possibly ever discover in one lifetime – literally thousands upon thousands of different brands, all vying for your hard-earned. Ascertaining which makers are the successful ones is pretty simple. If they’ve been established for anything more than two years and they’re still solvent, chances are they’re doing OK. And if you want to figure out which small watchmakers are excelling, you need only look at their back catalogue. If the watches made so far have sold out, then guess what? This is a successful watchmaker. That’s why for today’s Micro Mondays feature, we’re once again taking a look at the Milan-based Unimatic. More specifically, we’re taking a look at five of their limited edition models that have sold out; in some cases, in a matter of minutes. Why? Because these models exemplify the breadth of abilities at making watches that are not only good but, more importantly, desirable.  Unimatic X Massena LAB Modello Uno Ref.U1-ML6  Perhaps the most widely known model from Unimatic in recent memory, the Italian watchmaker’s collaboration with industry luminary William Massena was a resounding success. Want to know why we think that? Because…

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The watch industry has a remarkable way of pulling together when times are tough. We see it every other year with the Only Watch auction raising money for muscular dystrophy. Jack Nicklaus auctioned his Rolex Day-Date last year to raise money for unwell children, and John Goldberger did the same with his unique white gold ref. 6265 Daytona in 2018. In response to the Coronavirus Crisis that is sweeping the world, and hitting America particularly hard, our friends at the Horological Society of New York have put together the Working Watchmakers Grant. It is a fund to support watchmakers around the US who are struggling because of the pandemic. Supporting the local industry in this way is well within the mission of the HSNY since they were established in 1866. Funded through donations, the Horological Society of New York Working Watchmakers Grant is a USD$100,000 fund that would be offered in USD$1000 amounts to 100 watchmakers around America. When considering the HSNY’s response to the pandemic, President Nicholas Manousos said they looked into their own history to realise their next steps forward. “New York watchmakers came together in 1866 to ensure their colleagues were taken care of,” said Manousos. “The…

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Baume & Mercier’s collection of timepieces has been on a discernible upward trajectory for some time now – after years lost in the woods with middling collections and co-brands, the Geneva outfit is quietly making waves. And 2020 looks like it’s going to be another level again, with B&M layering up their sensational Baumatic model with a host of poetic, aesthetically pleasing complications. In addition, we have a new version of the Art Deco-inspired Hampton collection in a manly rectangular case, with lots of considered details. We’ve had a look at all the new models, and picked the ones we think will be the biggest hits with you, the enthusiasts. Baume & Mercier Hampton The Hampton is receiving a big revamp this year, and the keen-eyed among you may recognise the new timepiece is heavily inspired by 1920s Art Deco architecture. As Baume & Mercier explain, “In the image of the great Art Deco trends of the day, the curves of the Hampton watch take precedence over right angles and give beauty to the light gliding on smooth surfaces.” In total, the watchmaker is releasing no less than eight new iterations of the Hampton – five of which are ladies…

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