independent watchmaking Archives - Page 133 of 158

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.

The Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel – Bold Design, Original Display

A brand of recent creation, the name Franck Dubarry may sound familiar. Franck Dubarry is a French entrepreneur and watch designer. Before launching the eponymous brand, he made his reputation in the advertising sector and in the watch industry by creating TechnoMarine in 1997. A fantastic commercial success, TechnoMarine presented truly original concepts; for instance, it was one of the first to combine diamond and rubber. After 10 years and selling over 2.5 million watches, Franck Dubarry sold his brand to a private equity fund.

5 Cool Watches By Indie Watchmakers Launched Next to the SIHH

As SIHH 2018 excitement has settled down, it is time for us to look at some of the watches presented in Geneva (understand, not at the SIHH) that week, in particular, some we have not covered yet – or only with press pictures. LVMH brands exposed on a boat on the Geneva Lake or hotels, while several independent watchmakers showcased their latest creations in different locations across the city. Last but not least, the WPHH (World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie) was the opportunity for Frank Muller, Cvstos, Backes & Strauss and other affiliated brands to present their novelties at their Watchland site in Genthod.

Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Clarity Octopus… Extravagant But Mechanically Fascinating

Clearly, this watch is far from usual standards, in terms of elegance and proportions. Clearly, it is not meant for the masses – whether we talk about design or retail price. Clearly, it is not the average vision of a classic timepiece. Yet, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon is quite a watch, especially from a technical point of view. It is bold but mechanically fascinating. This year, Jacob & Co. unveils an exceptional new version of its uber-complicated piece, the Astronomia Tourbillon Clarity Octopus.

The Superb Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece in Pale Yellow Gold

For the SIHH 2018, Laurent Ferrier had quite a lot of novelties up his sleeve and his latest watch features a new movement and an unprecedented complication for the brand: an annual calendar. Housed in the sleek, round Montre Ecole (School Piece) case, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar already impressed us just by looking at photos… And then came the surprise of Ferrier’s new movement housed in a great looking new gold alloy. Clearly, one of the most elegant and desirable watches of the SIHH 2018.

The Czapek Quai des Bergues Guilloche Now In An Array of Colors

Czapek sets the tone for 2018, with new versions of the Quai des Bergues, full of colors. The independent brand, a revival of the name of Patek’s ex-partner, started its life with an online subscription campaign (yes, quite special for a brand with such high-end watches) and is now becoming more established than ever. New collections, new watches, new styles… For 2018, Czapek unveils its Quai des Bergues watch with colored guilloché dials.

The new Schwarz Etienne Roswell 08 with a Complex Date Mechanism

Schwarz Etienne presents a revisited version of its Roswell watch transformed by a spectacular and unprecedented staging of the date mechanism. Here’s a hands-on review of the new Schwarz Etienne Roswell 08. If you are a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you should already be familiar with Schwarz Etienne. The brand, founded by Paul Arthur Schwarz …

The New Armin Strom Pure Resonance (SIHH 2018)

Following the motto “less is more“, Armin Strom presents a cleaned version of its superb Resonance watch. Why “less is more“? Well, in the case of the new Pure Resonance, it isn’t only about cleaning the design. You’ll see that sometimes in watchmaking, removing parts and features can benefit the accuracy – and Armin Strom’s Resonance concept is all about accuracy.

H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Flying Hours with Planetary Display of Hours and Minutes (SIHH 2018)

When we hear H. Moser & Cie., we usually have classicism or cleanness in mind – or a certain sense of provocation, with the Swiss Mad Watch or the recent Swiss Icons Watch. Yet, for the first time in its history, the Schaffhausen-based manufacture has revisited its time display methods to create a new, disc-based system. Meet the Endeavour Flying Hours with planetary display of hours and minutes.

De Bethune DB28 Steel Wheels (SIHH 2018)

For the last 2 years, De Bethune had to deal with a complicated financial and managerial situation. Yet, in October 2017, the company announced that an investment consortium led by Pierre Jacques, former CEO of the brand, was about to take over the capital, to put this manufacture back on track. In the middle of the SIHH 2018, here is the first watch of this “new De Bethune”, a variation on the well-known DB28 model, with a skeletonized movement. Meet the DB28 Steel Wheels.

Watch Dandy

Category: independent watchmaking