In an interesting combination between two of their most iconic watches comes the Manufacture Royal ADN —French for DNA. Offering a dual time zone complication, the case of the ADN is a delicate blend of the intricate case construction of the Opera and Androgyne collections. With a curvier outline the case presents mobile lugs that pivot for a perfect ergonomic fit on the owner’s wrist. In case you’ve forgotten about Manufacture Royale’s story, we’ll give you a quick refresher. This independent watch brand was revived in 2010 and is directly linked to the Manufacture Royale des Montres de Ferney, which was a watchmaking atelier in which thinker and philosopher Voltaire was involved back in 1770.
Posts filed under Other Brands
News: Bovet Releases the Edouard Bovet Tourbillon. 60-Piece Limited Edition Commemorating the Bicentenary of Bovet's Arrival in China.
Today marks the bicentenary of Edouard Bovet’s first arrival in China, on August 16, 1818, an auspicious day that forever linked the Swiss watchmaking Maison with the nation of China. To commemorate this important milestone, Bovet has just released the double face Edouard Bovet Tourbillon in a limited edition of 60 pieces in three different precious metals. Dedicated to world travel, this new watch presents a triple time zone with hemispherical maps of the Earth, reverse-fitted hands to display the time on both sides of the movement, a power reserve of ten days and all exquisitely executed with hand engraving and blue enamel guilloché.
News: Linde Werdelin Releases Two New Classic 3 Timers After Being Dormant for Several Years
After pulling out of Baselworld and going dormant for several years, Linde Werdelin has announced today the addition of two new watches to the Classic 3 Timer Ocean line. With no new product releases for years, last year Linde Werdelin released a watch for watch connoisseur and old friend Kristian Haagen. Kristian had expressed an interest in owning the 3 Timer brown dial that sold out within a month when it was released in 2009 and Morten Linde thought it would be the perfect opportunity to offer Kristian his own customized edition 3 Timer.
Rare Bird: Daniel Roth Sports Automatic 50th Birthday Limited Edition. Created by One of the Greatest Independent Watchmakers of our Time.
Released in 1995 on the occasion of his 50th birthday, this Daniel Roth limited edition watch is a perfect example of the mastery and finesse achieved by one of the first watchmakers to become an independent, after a successful career in the Swiss watchmaking industry that included companies like Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre and even Audemars Piguet. Now 72 years old, Daniel Roth is very well known for becoming an independent watchmaker after a very long tenure at Breguet and launching his own brand and atelier in the Vallée de Joux in 1989. After going selling his brand to Bulgari in 2000…
Insider: Hysek Design La Colonne du Temps Mechanical Clock. A 55-Piece Limited Edition with an Incredible Mechanism.
After decades designing some of the most iconic watches including the Breguet Marine, the Vacheron Constantin 222, the TAG Heuer Kirium and the Seiko Kinetic Actura, Jorg Hisek decided to launch his own agency named Hysek Design in the late 1990s, after four years working at the Rolex design department. After launching his own watch brand and selling it years later, Jorg Hysek marks his comeback to the watch industry with the release of a very special 50-piece limited edition clock called 'La Colonne du Temps' —the column of time.
Insider: Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Heure d'Ici & Heure d'Ailleurs. Hands-on with a New Interpretation of this Jumping Hours Timepiece.
First presented in 2014 by Van Cleef & Arpels as the Pierre Arpels Heure d’ici & Heure d’ailleurs in an 18K white gold pebble-shaped case measuring 42 mm in diameter —which you can read about it here—, VC&A presented a new iteration of this watch during the SIHH 2018, this time with the more appealing and contemporary 'Midnight' round case in 18K pink gold measuring 42 mm in diameter. The new Midnight Heure d’Ici & Heure d’Ailleurs is equipped with Van Cleef's own dual time zone movement which offers an understated and poetic interpretation of time, suspended between two horizons. Reading the hours becomes an invitation to travel, like a window open on the world.
SIHH 2018: Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium. A Fascinating Astronomical Complication for Ladies.
Following the successful release of their Midnight Planétarium in 2014, the watch that we still talk about to date and one of the most read articles here at WCL —you can read it here—; on the occasion of the SIHH 2018, Van Cleef & Arpels has drawn new inspiration to come up with a new interpretation of the watch created in collaboration with Netherlands watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw. The new Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium takes a slightly different approach not only in terms of size —measuring 38 mm instead of 44 mm like the Midnight Planétarium— but also in terms of functionality by centering the watch complication around fewer planets.
SIHH 2018: DeWitt Academia Endless Drive. The Watch with the Helical Screw at the Center of the Dial.
A huge comeback for DeWitt after presenting at the SIHH 2018 for the very first time. The new DeWitt Academia Endless Drive reveals an original design, consistent with the strong and distinct character of DeWitt creations, with an endless screw as the dial’s signature element. This rotating endless screw is a nod to automotive mechanics, which has been the field of inspiration to the brand's founder, Count Jérôme de Witt.
Insider: Louis Moinet 10-Second Tempograph. The World's First Timepiece with a 10-Second Retrograde Mechanism.
The Louis Moinet 10-second Tempograph is the world’s first timepiece to feature a 10-second retrograde mechanism in a 60-piece limited edition and the recipient of the RedDot Design Award in 2011. Louis Moinet was one of the greatest watchmakers ever and the inventor of the chronograph in 1816. Today, his spirit lives on thanks to Jean-Marie Schaller, who as founder and creative director of the Louis Moinet brand, revived the prestigious name of the inspirational master watchmaker.
Insider: Konstantin Chaykin 'Carpe Diem'. The Timepiece with a Mechanical Hourglass and Chronos with his Scythe.
The Latin quote 'Carpe Diem' is one that takes us back to the epic scene in the movie "Dead Poets Society" when English teacher, John Keating —Robin Williams—, tells their students that the Latin sentiment for the term "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may" is "Carpe Diem" and then proceeds to ask them if they know what that means. Thereafter, Mr. Meeks answers the question by saying that "Carpe Diem" means "seize the day" in English. The Konstantin Chaykin 'Carpe Diem' timepiece is a watch that truly evokes that sentiment with a solid silver patinated bas-relief of 'Chronos' leaning over an hourglass and wielding a harvesting scythe.
Insider: Christophe Claret Adagio Minute Repeater Unique Piece. Featuring Dual Time and Hand Engraving.
Last week at the SIAR 2017, we were able to peruse one of the latest creations from Christophe Claret. The Adagio Minute Repeater Unique Piece in 18K yellow gold not only features a minute repeater but also a dual time function with day/night indicator, date function and running seconds indicator. With a case fully engraved by hand and a cathedral gong, this is for sure one of the most exquisite timepieces that a seasoned watch collector could aspire to own.
Insider: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral Chocolate Dial. Hands-on with a Unisex Timepiece with a Gorgeous Brown Mother-of-Pearl Dial.
Conceived as a unisex timepiece thanks to its generous case measuring 40.6 mm in diameter and 11.2 mm in thickness, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral with chocolate dial is a great looking watch with one of the most unique brown mother-of-pearl dials out there. Also available in 18K rose gold with other dial options and in stainless steel without diamonds, the Manero Peripheral we have here, is fitted with a stainless steel case with diamond encrusted bezel as ref. 00.10917.08.83.11.
Insider: Manufacture Royale 1770 Flying Tourbillon Squelette. Hands-on with a Timepiece that is Exquisitely Skeletonized for Maximum Transparency.
Manufacture Royale is an independent watch brand that was revived in 2010 and that is directly linked to the Manufacture Royale des Montres de Ferney, which was a watchmaking atelier in which thinker and philosopher Voltaire was involved back in 1770. The Manufacture Royale des Montres de Ferney produced watches from 1770 until 1778 when Voltaire died at the age of 83.
Insider: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Power Reserve Blue and Manero Power Reserve Green. Hands-on with Two Very Eclectic Looking Watches.
Available now in stainless steel with two very eclectic looking dials, the new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Power Reserve with blue or green dial is very reminiscent of the Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square with its crazy electric five colors. The new Manero Power Reserve is available in two new dials, one blue and the other green. and equipped with a power reserve indicator, day of the week, date and seconds subdial. Giving special special attention to each of these two new watches, each iteration is very unique looking and with its very own character.
Budget Watches: Gorilla Fastback Forged Carbon & Black Ceramic Watch. The Watch Launched by Octavio Garcia Former Head Designer for Audemars Piguet.
Today, we're starting a new section for those budget watches that we really like. Even though this is the first time we do a hands-on review of a watch at this price point, but we are absolutely thrilled to tell you everything about it. The new Gorilla Watches were recently officially launched by Octavio Garcia —former Chief Artistic Officer at Audemars Piguet for more than a decade— and his business partner Lukas Gopp —a former employee of brands like IWC, Sector, Ralph Lauren Watches and Audemars Piguet.
Baselworld 2017: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Chronograph. Live Pictures, Hands-on & Price.
One of our favorite watches released this Baselworld 2017 is the new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Chronograph with grey dial. This new watch is available in three versions —stainless steel with grey dial and 18K red gold with either black or champagne colored dial— and equipped with a flyback chronograph mechanism. Giving special special attention to each of these three new watches, each iteration is very unique looking and with its very own character.
Baselworld 2017: Jaquet Droz Loving Butterfly Automaton. Live Pictures, Hands-on & Price.
The history of Jaquet Droz and his automatons is very rich and part of the true heritage of this brand. For Baselworld 2017, Jaquet Droz has released the a new automaton that joins the Bird Repeater, the Charming Bird and the Lady 8 Flower previous released. This new automaton timepiece named 'Loving Butterlfy' is a watch that features a 90-second on-demand animation. Available with a 43 mm case in 18K rose or white gold, the new Jaquet Droz Loving Butterfly is exclusively available in a limited edition of 28 pieces for each metal.
Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Rattrapante. Hands-on with of the Most Complicated Watches From Montblanc.
Released in January of 2017 at the SIHH in Geneva, the Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Rattrapante in a limited edition of 8 pieces is one of the most complicated and most expensive watches from Montblanc. Combining Montblanc's patented ExoTourbillon with a monopusher split-seconds chronograph, the beating heart inside this watch is of course a Minerva movement from Villeret. During the 1930s, the workshop’s fascination with recording elapsed time led to the production of split-seconds stopwatches, also known as “rattrapante” chronographs, from the French word “to catch up”.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Tourbillon 45 mm Titanium and 18K Rose Gold. Hands-on with the Top Watch in the Laureato Collection.
This year, Girard-Perregaux was back at the SIHH Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie —after four brief years exhibiting at Baselworld— and to mark their return, they launched a whole new Laureato collection including this Laureato Tourbillon 45 mm in titanium and 18K rose gold. Sitting at the top of the Laureato collection, this new watch embodies all the historic expertise of the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture. Its 45 mm case, made of titanium and topped with an 18K rose gold bezel and first inter-link —end link.
SIHH 2017: Christophe Claret Maestro. Hands-on Live Pictures & Pricing.
Following a clear and consistent product design strategy, Christophe Claret unveiled the new Maestro at the SIHH 2017. With a name that takes its inspiration by the excellence of the master watchmaker, Christophe Claret himself, this watch with a perfectly domed crystal provides a striking, almost dizzying view of the movement architecture and the famous Charles X bridges. Equipped with a manual wound 7-day power reserve movement, a cone-shaped large date display and a 3D reminder function —MEMO function as Christophe Claret calls it—, the new Maestro is the first Haute Complication watch by Christophe Claret at a more affordable price when considering what haute horlogerie timepieces are going for these days.
