Magnetism has long been a bane of mechanical watches, leading to solutions such as Omega’s Master Co-Axial movements and the Rolex Syloxi silicon hairspring. Another magnetism resistant contender has just emerged from Precision Engineering, a significant manufacturer of hairsprings and the corporate sister of watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. The hairspring specialist has just announced PE5000, a […]
Magnetism has long been a bane of mechanical watches, leading to solutions such as Omega’s Master Co-Axial movements and the Rolex Syloxi silicon hairspring. Another magnetism resistant contender has just emerged from Precision Engineering, a significant manufacturer of hairsprings and the corporate sister of watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. The hairspring specialist has just announced PE5000, a […]
Striking and particularly photogenic, H. Moser & Cie.‘s Concept watches are ruthlessly pared down but always vividly coloured. Now the concept (no pun intended) takes an unusual twist with a nine-piece limited edition made for Dubai retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. Just unveiled at Dubai Watch Week 2017, the Venturer XL Concept Dubai Edition features a baby blue […]
When it comes to unique displays of the time, you though you’ve already seen everything: wandering hours, chains, magnetic balls, liquid-filled capillary, rotating prisms… Then, in terms of complications and construction of the overall watch, you thought the same. Well, you’d better look at this watch, the Ressence Type 3, simply because it has both a very special display and an almost unique construction. Certainly, the Type 3 doesn’t have the visual flamboyance of a MB&F, the bold high-tech design of an URWERK or the apparent complexity of an HYT. However, under this restrained attitude and this relative discretion hides a watch filled with oil and that does not use hands to display the time. And that makes the Ressence Type 3 very special to us.
Unless you have been in a coma for the past decade, you’re probably familiar with Max Büsser and Friends’ (MB&F) creations. Fueled by passion for the craft and unbridled creativity, the innovative horological lab played a pivotal role in the “indie” watchmaking rise. Out-of-the box thinking is the brand’s raison d’être. In 2011, when MB&F presented its first legacy machine (the LM1), a nod to watchmaking tradition, it had to be disruptive. And a few years later, when Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell and Max Büsser started to discuss about a perpetual calendar, the project brought to life another horological surprise transfiguring a century old complication into a sensational design. First launched in red gold and platinum, the MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual is now available in white gold with purple or grey faces.
It’s not the first time that we show the work of master-engraver Kees Engelbarts. Kees is a Dutchman, moved to Geneva some 20 years ago to exercise his art (yes, his art…) in the land that is known for watchmaking. Besides commissioned work for high-end independent watchmakers and major brands alike, he also creates his own unique …
Damascus steel is an ancient alloy, perhaps as old as Alexander the Great, used to make blades so deadly that legend has it a sword of Damascus steel can halve a piece of floating silk. Damascus steel blades were produced in the Middle East with wootz steel, a high carbon steel allot imported from India, and used by both […]
While the race for presidency in the USA is going on until the last minute, we’ll of course focus… on watches! And in the world of watches, we also have elections. Just two weeks ago I attended the gala award ceremony for the election of the Watch of the Year, organised by our friends of Chronos24 in Poland. And this Thursday, when we finally know who’s going to be the new tenant of the White House, is the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – a.k.a the 2016 Edition of the GPHG. While the first becomes a bit international due to several international jury members – including yours truly – the latter can best be compared to the Oscars in the world of movies.
Cars and watches… it’s a combination that always works, simple as that! Both worlds share many common points: precision mechanics, passionate fans, a toys-for-boys reputation… Such partnerships can range from classic cars to luxury supercars and sometimes even race cars. In the case of HYT Watches, the latter felt like a natural choice, with both worlds aiming for performance, innovation and using materials worthy of a spaceship. Today, we are sharing with you our experiences during an ELMS race in Estoril, with HYT Watches and Panis-Barthez Competition, the brand’s latest sports-oriented partner.
A breakthrough in Watchmaking: introducing the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance. Until now, Armin Strom was known for its superb skeletonized watches, mixing haute horlogerie features and sporty design. Today, Armin Strom propels a century old concept, Resonance, well and truly into the 21st century. In an exclusive first look, Monochrome unveils this revolutionary development (yes, simply that…) with technical insights, video and pictures.