independent watchmaking Archives - Page 138 of 158

What is it to wear a unique and configured watch by Armin Strom?

Recently, at Baselworld 2017, Armin Strom surprised the world of collectors (and certainly some of the industry participants…) by launching something that, besides being ultra-cool, felt like a natural development, knowing upcoming changes in customers behavior. What they created is an online configurator, in order to imagine, choose, create and order your watch just like you want it. Not a single element can’t be personalized, making sure that your future watch represents exactly your own wishes and personality. Today, we go one step further by playing with one Armin Strom watch that has been entirely configured, to show you how far you can actually go.

Only Watch 2017 – The Unique H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch

Not only large brands, such as Patek or Tudor, are participating to the Only Watch 2017 auction… There are many more watch companies, including some of the very best independent watchmakers who will also donate one unique, purpose-built timepiece to help research on muscular dystrophy. One of them is a favorite amongst Monochrome team: H. Moser & Cie, and for the 7th edition of the charity auction, they are coming with a one-of-a-kind piece, featuring their now classical “nude” style, and a few details to make it special. Here is the H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch.

Born independent, Combating gravity – 5 Original Tourbillon Watches from “Indie” watchmakers

Changes of positions have a negative influence on the way watches keep time. In 1801, Breguet patented a mechanism to negate the effects of earth attraction. A mobile carriage rotating at slow speed which houses the regulating organ of the watch, with the aim to average out positional errors. If the tourbillon has become more and more common in recent years, it remains an achievement for most watchmakers and the opportunity to demonstrate their skill and creativity.

Behind-the-Scenes – How Urban Jürgensen detail-obsessed watchmakers manufacture hands, turning raw material into works of art

The Swiss/Danish high-end watch manufacturer has just unveiled its new “ateliers” in the center of Biel / Bienne. The brand was already headquartered in the city and it is now based in a superb 1920 mansion, which has been tastefully renovated to provide the perfect setting for its detail obsessed craftsmen. We took the opportunity of our recent visit to their new home to take a close look at the way they manufacture hands. If fine craftsmanship and a meticulous attention to details are evident with the brand’s watches, it is nonetheless captivating to see their watchmakers at work – because without doubt it is one of the last and very few places where things are still made this way…

In-Depth Review – RJ-Romain Jerome Skylab 44 Red – Bold & Architectural

You cannot accuse RJ-Romain Jerome of being boring, even though you might not be a fan of the brand like I am. Fact of the matter is, the Geneva based brand does unorthodox things but every now and then hits a sweet spot that should entice even the doubters! The need for a Pièce Unique Pokemon watch is debatable of course, but any doubt can be swayed with the simple question of: why not? Well, that is the question we will hope to have answered by extensively reviewing the RJ-Romain Jerome Skylab 44 Red. We already covered it as it was first released back in december 2013 but we now give you the full rundown.

Only Watch 2017 – Unique Black-and-Yellow Fabergé Visionnaire Chronograph (with revolutionary movement)

At Baselworld 2017, a brand that is definitely more known for its jewelry pieces and historical eggs made for Russian Empire, Fabergé, came with what certainly was the most impressive piece of the show: the Visionnaire Chronograph and its movement created by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and his team at Agenhor. Revolutionary might sound cliché however, it’s exactly what this watch is, in terms of technical solutions and display. For Only Watch 2017, Fabergé has created a unique black-and-yellow version of this watch, which also happens to be the very first “for delivery” piece to come out of the manufacture.

Review – Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. – Aviation Pinups on your wrist

Being known as a brand far from conventions, Graham has specialized itself in creating aviation-inspired pieces, with quite a bold design. One can’t denied that these watches are “special”, yet not void of a clear coolness. As already having in the collection some vintage- and military-inspired pieces – see here – Graham has decided to add something that is part of fighting aircrafts’ history to the Chronofighter: “Nose Art“. Pinups on the wrist, with the new Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd… And once again, it’s audacious.

Monochromatic Watchmaking – Review of the GoS Sarek and Sarek Akka

The literal definition for “monochrome” is a “photograph or picture developed or executed in black and white only, or in various tones of only one color.” If you consider this, and take into account that Monochrome-Watches tends to focus on high-end mechanical, you now understand what our name basically stands for. And to support this, every now and then, and never intentionally I guess, a watch fits the literal definition AND our definition of Monochrome perfectly, such as this new GoS Sarek Akka.

Only Watch 2017 – Introducing the Laurent Ferrier X URWERK Collaboration Piece: Arpal One

When looking at the independent watchmaking scene, what other watchmaking companies than Laurent Ferrier and URWERK could be more different. On one side is the essence of classicism, of traditions and of high-end, hand-finished watchmaking. On the other side is the very definition of bold creativity, avant-garde display and futuristic design. Who could have imagine that one day, these two could find an agreement on creating a watch. But as with magnetic fields, opposites attract each other. And the result, to be auctioned at Only Watch 2017, is a stunning unique piece made by Laurent Ferrier and URWERK, named the Arpal One.

What could well be on the wrist of Iron Man / Robert Downey JR? A URWERK UR-110 of course (and he wears it in Spider-Man Homecoming)

In the world of watches, it’s rather common to have watches “placed” in movies (sometimes, it’s a bit more than just that however). That’s a practice named “product placement” and, in certain measures, it seems to help selling watches (do you feel the irony here…?) However, the story here is much cooler than the usual “watch in a movie” and has been dictated by passion, and with one of the coolest watches around. So, what could well be the watch worn by Iron Man / Tony Stark a.k.a Robert Downey JR in upcoming movie Spider-Man Homecoming? And why this choice?

Watch Dandy

Category: independent watchmaking