Category: independent watchmaking

Hands-On – Schwarz Etienne La Chaux-de-fonds Tourbillon Petite Seconde Retrograde (Baselworld 2017)

Schwarz Etienne started with a vertical integration strategy a few years ago, going as far as producing hairsprings in-house, with their sister company E2O innovations (read our recent introduction article about the brand here). This involved deep products’ evolution and a strategy based on a modular approach to movement development; a family of mechanical movements was created and evolved into different versions. Today, we take a look at the interesting La Chaux-de-Fonds Tourbillon Petite Seconde Retrograde, which was presented during Baselworld 2017.

9 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Manufacture Royale ADN, Bold & Architectural

Manufacture Royale goes back to its roots to reinvent itself whilst presenting its 9th caliber. Regulated by a flying tourbillon, the MR09 caliber lets users track two time-zones at once, right down to the minute – the local time uses an original jump-hour display. Inspired by the Androgyne, the first model unveiled following the revival of the brand a few years ago, the ‘ADN’ (the French Acronym for DNA) case houses a spectacular skeleton movement, allowing for a detailed view of its inner workings and three-dimensional architecture.

9 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Introducing the Greubel-Forsey Balancier (Hands-On with Price)

Art in its purest form… While exposing at the SIHH 2017, Greubel Forsey is also introducing a new watch during Baselworld 2017 – Here is the Greubel Forsey Balancier, elevating the essentials to radical watchmaking and insane finishing. No double or Quadruple Tourbillon, no fancy complications, just the pure expression of a classical movement, decorated in the best possible way you can imagine (literally).

9 years ago

The Online Bespoke Experience – The Armin Strom Watch Configurator (Explained In Video)

While it is now common in the automotive industry to customize your future car, choosing colors and options, and to do it in front of a screen, by using an online configurator, the high-end watches buying experience remains relatively austere. You look at display windows, you enter a cosy boutique and you choose among the available watches. A very 1990s experience, you’ll admit. However, consumer behaviors are drastically evolving, and the future will be ruled two concepts: online and customization… And this is exactly what you’ll get with the new Armin Strom Watch Configurator, a unique and innovative way to create your own, tailor-made, high-end watch.

9 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Czapek Expands Their Collection with the Place Vendome Tourbillon

Czapek, a brand reborn recently and founded on the roots of Patek’s ex-partner, is expanding its collection with a beautifully designed timepiece blending tradition and modernity. The Place Vendôme is the brand’s first tourbillon and features dual time, power reserve and day/night indications, with a pleasant contemporary take on watchmaking.

9 years ago

Mechanical Fascination – Introducing the Rebellion Predator 2.0 GMT

Rebellion Timepieces was born from the love for mechanics. That’s their DNA and their watches strongly show this link with the automotive industry. The new Rebellion Predator 2.0 GMT keeps the spirit alive, as it is deeply infused with the passion for supercars and turbo-charged engines, in a truly unique way. Gentlemen, listen to the rebel inside, fasten your seat belts and get ready for a wild ride!

9 years ago

Pre-Baselworld 2017 – MCT Dodekal One D110, With Digital-Mechanical Hour Indication

One thing to know about MCT Watches… They don’t do things like the others, and when it comes to play with the display of time, let’s all agree that their watches, with large numerals displayed on rotating prisms are simply on the other side of the planet, compared to traditional hands. Well, for Baselworld 2017, Denis Giguet (founder of MCT) comes with again something unusual, a digital hour indication recalling LCD screens of old electronic devices – but don’t worry, no quartz movements have being used here. Here is the MCT Dodekal One D110 and its super-cool hour display.

9 years ago