independent watchmaking Archives - Page 131 of 158

First Look – Urban Jürgensen 2140 White Gold with a Black Guilloché Dial

It is no secret that we are big fans of Urban Jürgensen here at MONOCHROME watches. Inspired by a century-old history, the singularity of the Swiss/Danish brand lies in a distinctive perception of elegance where craftsmanship, integrity and patience are carefully preserved. The latest addition to the Jules collection, the reference 2140 WG is no exception. This elegant three-hander is delivered in a tastefully restrained white gold case housing a handcrafted guilloche black dial.

First Look – AkriviA “Rexhep Rexhepi” Chronomètre Contemporain, The New Face of Tradition

Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the most talented watchmakers in the industry. The founder of AkriviA is often presented as the future of independent watchmaking. There are probably no better ways to understand AkriviA than to pay a visit to the brand’s Atelier in Geneva old town. There you’ll discover a handful of detail-obsessed watchmakers bent over their bench, magnifying glass screwed to the eye, working with a set of ancient machine and tools, using century-old gestures. AkriviA watches are impeccable, handmade like in the old days, elevating the watchmaking art to the highest level. But do not be mistaken, the time has not stopped there. The faces of these skilled craftspeople are surprisingly young. AkriviA watches are modern creations infused by fresh, dynamic and passionate watchmaking minds…

Baselworld 2018 – Schwarz Etienne “Ode au Printemps” Limited Edition Box Set

At Baselworld 2018, Schwarz Etienne unveils a limited-edition box set of three watches, which showcase the brand’s watchmaking mastery and expertise in creative artisan crafts. It will be part of a series to celebrate seasons (Ode aux saisons or Ode to seasons). Starting with spring (Ode au Printemps or Ode to spring), the first opus celebrates the awakening of life eloquently pictured with flowers and bees. The choice of the insect is not accidental as the coat of arms of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the city of Schwarz-Etienne, features a gold-coloured hive surrounded by bees. The special edition also aims at raising awareness for their preservation and protection.

Baselworld 2018 – MB&F Teams Up with L’Epée to Create The Fifth Element, A Unique “Horological Weather Station”

We were already aware that the folks at MB&F have the ability to surprise us. And guess what, they do it again. Their latest creation, made with clockmaker L’Epée, is actually not only a clock. “The Fifth Element”, as they name it, is an intergalactic horological weather station enabling accurate weather forecasting even when the power goes down. Four separate elements combine in a mothership to create an entity much larger than the sum of its parts: The Fifth Element. Intriguing, isn’t it?

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.

Hands-on – The De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk V2 – Taking “Entry Level” To A Whole New Level

It’s a long road back to redemption for independent watchmaker De Bethune but so far, all signs suggest they are well and truly on the right track. The latest indication comes in the form of the new DB27 Titan Hawk V2 (DB27TIS1 V2), a fitting follow-up to the original model that launched the DB27 collection in 2012 – later seen in a matte version. Slightly more understated than its elder siblings, the new DB27 Titan Hawk V2 offers a lightweight titanium case, complete with the brand’s trademark floating lugs, but pairs it with a cleaner-looking dial. There’s no more central date display but we do get a seconds hand instead. And that’s not all that’s changed.

Introducing – The New HYT Skull 48.8 – Smaller But Still Bold

HYT Watches creations are not known for being shy. Far, far away from that. Whether for their ultra-bold design and shapes or the unique and highly complex display of the time, everything transpires extremeness. In fact, the brand can even go up to 51mm in diameter for its watches, which include a large skull-head on the …

Hands-on – The Doplr Pulse-Watch – A Unique Timepiece Created Specifically For Doctors, By Doctors

I think we can all agree that mechanical watches are a niche product. The new Doplr (pronounced “Doppler”) Pulse-Watch, however, takes things one (or several steps) further, with a mechanical watch created specifically for doctors. Its architects, who are also doctors, set themselves the goal of reimagining the pulsometer watch, created by Dr John Floyer in 1707, as a modern-day symbolic tool for measuring a person’s vital signs. Have they succeeded? Read on to learn more about the Doplr Pulse-Watch and make your own mind up.

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – The new Louis Moinet Skydance

Welcome to the Baroque universe of Louis Moinet watches where Jules Verne steampunk aesthetics are combined with elaborate mechanical movements and out-of-this-world materials like meteorite from Mars and 70-million-year-old fossilised palm wood. Made in exclusive, limited editions, the galaxy is a recurrent theme at Louis Moinet. Just ahead of Baselworld 2018, Louis Moinet launches Skydance, a 36mm ladies’ watch designed to celebrate the beauty of our celestial canopy offering hours, minutes and small seconds.

Introducing – Graham’s Chronofighter Superlight gets Super Bright

Graham’s warhorse par excellence, the Chronofighter is an oversized chronograph with a racing soul renowned for its prominent lever on the left side of the case protecting the chronograph trigger. This key identity trait appears time after time in every iteration of this brand pillar, be it a vintage-style pilot’s watch or an elegant GMT model. When the Chronofighter Superlight collection was unveiled in 2017, the XXL 47mm bad boy chronograph was lightened up with a carbon case (weighing in at less than 100g) and brightened up some with racy blue, red and yellow details on the dial and matching rubber straps.

Watch Dandy

Category: independent watchmaking