Posts filed under Other Brands

From the Editor: What's There Not to Love About Furlan Marri Watches

I discovered Furlan Marri last year and my first encounter in person with their watches was when I was casting my votes as one of the jurors at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2021. The Furlan Marri MR. Grey received the Horological Revelation Prize at the GPHG 2021 and that’s what really put the brand on the map. After six different watches they have released and as an owner of not one but two of their watches —Havana Salmon ref. 1031-A and the Mare Blu ref. 1051-A—, I can confidently say that there are many things to love about this young inexpensive brand.

Introducing: Grand Seiko 200m Diver SLGA015 'Black Stream'

The new Grand Seiko 200m Diver SLGA015 is inspired by the Black Stream —Kuroshio Current. The Kuroshio Current also known as the Black or Japan Current —Nihon Kairyū— flows northwards past Japan towards the North Pacific and is one of the largest ocean streams in the world. The dynamic and sometimes violent tides caused by the Black Stream inspire the deep black color and richly textured surface of the dial of this new 200m diver’s watch.

Introducing: Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Titanium SBGE285 and SBGE283

While the pedigree of the Grand Seiko Style is unmistakably evident in every watch, the refinements of the Evolution 9 Style are also clear to see. With its unique glide motion seconds hand, Spring Drive mirrors the continuous, silent and smooth passage of time. To watch the seconds hand move serenely and with no ‘tick’ across the dial is to be brought as close as is possible to the nature of time itself. The two new watches are the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Titanium SBGE285 and the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Titanium SBGE283.

From the Editor: M.A.D.1 RED Edition. Good Luck on the Lottery for the Hottest Watch at the Moment.

After so many inquiries and direct messages via Instagram I felt the need to write an editorial on the new M.A.D.1 RED Edition. First of all, I consider myself very fortunate that after many emails that I sent out to MB&F back when the M.A.D.1 Friends Edition came out last year, I was added to the list of interested people and this gave me access to be one of the first ones to be able to purchase the just released M.A.D.1 RED Edition. I am also very lucky that I was in Geneva for Watches & Wonders 2022 a couple of weeks ago and I was able to collect my piece in person at the M.A.D. Gallery. What an incredible experience to say the least.

Posted on April 11, 2022 and filed under M.A.D.1, MB&F, Other Brands, From the Editor.

Introducing: Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT 15th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGC249 and Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC251

The Evolution 9 Collection represents the future of Grand Seiko. Based on the Grand Seiko Style which has inspired each and every creation since 1967, the Evolution 9 Collection takes the legibility and comfort of Grand Seiko to a new level. One of the first Evolution 9 Collection watches was the Hi-Beat 36,000 80 hours which won the Men’s Watch prize at the 2021 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

Introducing: Manufacture Royale Sequential Business Unique Piece

A unique and unusual watch from Manufacture Royal has joined their ADN Spirit collection. This new piece, named Sequential Business has the particularity of a countdown activated by a retrograde counter positioned at 12 o'clock. This retrograde minute counter will help you manage your appointments or your next video conference thanks to a countdown display that can be adjusted by pulling the first notch on the crown.

Introducing: M.A.D.1 RED Edition. The Saga Continues After the 'Friends Edition'.

Two weeks ago we brought a special feature on the M.A.D.1 Friends Edition here on WCL after almost a whole year since it was launched. While the M.A.D.1 is not an MB&F Machine, but a more accessible timepiece that was created under a different brand, the idea was still generated by Max Büsser himself. The first M.A.D.1 Friends Edition literally broke the internet and it was reserved for ‘Friends’ —suppliers who help MB&F create their MB&F Machines— and to the members of ‘The Tribe’ —the owners of MB&F machines.

Posted on March 22, 2022 and filed under M.A.D.1, News, MB&F, Other Brands.

Introducing: Purnell x READYMADE Escape II. Three Five-Piece Limited Editions.

Designed in collaboration with READYMADE, Purnell Unveils three ultra-limited watches. with one of the trendiest fashion labels. The brand name READYMADE asserts its antithesis against ready-made items. This brand circulates disused items to be destroyed and transforms them by giving them a new life. From its inception, Hosokawa conveys his antiwar message for the world, a vision where war and dispute are not worthy, and his stance against mass production by using vintage military fabrics and giving a new value to a salvage duffle bag or a tent.

Rare Bird: M.A.D. 1 Friends Edition. Exclusively for MB&F Friends and The Tribe.

Before the end of 2021, Max Büsser did the unthinkable releasing a watch priced at CHF 1,900 Swiss Francs —approximately $2,000 USD. Reserved for his friends and what MB&F likes to call The Tribe —the select group of clients that have purchased MB&F watches in the past. The M.A.D. 1 Friends Edition looks a lot like an MB&F but is not one. Between the finishes, the engine, and the craftsmanship, the M.A.D. 1 is just a fun watch that Max Büsser launched because he can. And you know what? We love that.

Posted on March 9, 2022 and filed under MB&F, M.A.D.1, Other Brands.

Insider: CIGA Design Blue Planet. The First Chinese Watch to Ever Win at the GPHG.

The CIGA Design Series U Blue Planet is the first Chinese Made watch to ever win at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève and to make it to the shortlist of the nominees. In November 2021, the CIGA Design Blue Planet was awarded the GPHG 2021 Challenge Prize —watches priced under CHF 3,500 Swiss Francs— while competing against other ‘budget-friendly’ or affordable timepieces that included the Doxa SUB 200 C-GRAPH Caribbean, Oris Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy, Massena Lab Uni-Racer, Anordain Model 1-Payne’s Grey Fumé and the Furlan Marri Mr. Grey.

Introducing: Harry Winston Premier Valentine’s Flying Hearts Automatic 36 mm. A 14-Piece Limited Edition.

For 2022, a model from the luxurious Premier collection has been selected to deliver a joyous message of love. The many facets of love are portrayed by a bouquet of heart-shaped balloons made of precious gemstones and mother-of-pearl cabochons floating in an ethereal mother-of-pearl sky in a limited edition of only 14 pieces.

Experience: Artisans de Genève Armstrong Challenge Project

This personalization is a reflection of Lance Armstrong career and vision of time. He wanted retro functions on his watch while being very light. To live up to the challenge Artisans de Genève developed a pulse dial with dual counters at 3 and 6 o’clock so he could count time during his races. Even the Rolex calibre 4130 was converted from automatic to manual wound in order to allow for more visibility of the mechanism and give the watch a retro-feel as Armstrong wanted it.

Introducing: BA111OD Chapter 4.1 The Veblen Dilemma. Swiss Made Tourbillon Under 4,000 Swiss Francs.

Despite the use of a brand name that could’ve not been any worse —trying to convey the founder’s last name Baillod using a combination of letters and ones—, Chapter 4.1 The Veblen Dilemma is the latest from Swiss watch brand BA111OD. This Swiss-made tourbillon is offered under CHF 4,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $4,300 USD—, bringing a breath of fresh air to an overtly saturated industry where Swiss-made tourbillons are typically not available at a low price point.

Budget Watches: Seven Friday P1C/04 'Caipi'. As Refreshing as a Brazilian Caipirinha.

Discussing ‘Budget Watches’ is not something we do on a very regular basis but more so every now and then whenever we find an inexpensive watch that catches our attention and that we feel is worth talking about. Since today is Friday, why not talk about the latest addition to the Seven Friday lineup. The Seven Friday P1C/04 'Caipi' is as refreshing as a Brazilian caipirinha at the end of the summer months.

Introducing: Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer. Two 25-Piece Limited Series in White Gold.

Following the initial introduction as a concept watch at last year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer now takes on its final form. This high-performance chronometer with a revolutionary escapement is housed in a 44 mm case, surrounded by two round and domed crystals that have the effect of slimming the timepiece.

News: Presenting the Harry Winston Project Z15 Limited Edition

Harry Winston is presenting the fifteenth timepiece in its avant-garde Project Z series. Crafted from Zalium, a lightweight, highly resilient material exclusive to Harry Winston, the Project Z is distinguished by its fusion of classic horological composition with highly architectural elements. Incorporating a partially skeletonized minute hand in signature brand colors on the dial, Project Z15 is a modern interpretation of the regulator
clock. Only 300 units of the limited edition watch will be available globally.

News: Bovet 1822 Miss Audrey Sweet Art. The World's First Watch Dial Ever Made with Sugar Crystals.

The new Miss Audrey Sweet Art, however, uses a completely new material and a new process to create a dial that has never been seen before in watchmaking. A dial made from pure sugar. Representing sweetness and purity, the sugar crystals covering the dial of the Miss Audrey Sweet Art represents a breakthrough in engineering innovation, materials, and miniature painting —all hallmarks of the House of Bovet.

W&W 2021: Purnell Escape II Absolute Sapphire. A Million Dollar World's First Double Triple Axis Tourbillon in a Full Sapphire Case.

Known to only produce tourbillon movements, the Swiss watchmaker Purnell is inspired by performance, precision and mechanical prowess, doubling down on its philosophy of bringing more future than past to watchmaking. In just a year since the brand’s introduction at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2020, Purnell has made its mark on the landscape of contemporary high watchmaking, not only with its unmistakable Spherion

W&W 2021: Presenting the Hermès H08

Fully developed in-house, the new Hermès H08 is a new pillar collection for the brand. An everyday, all-terrain watch that embodies Creative Director Véronique Nichanian’s vision of the men’s universe. Light and travels easily for any experience. The design is a collaboration between Véronique, Pierre-Alexis Dumas —Artistic Director, Hermès—, and Philippe Delhotal —Artistic Director, Hermès Horloger. Created completely in-house, the new H08 features the manufacture H1837 movement.

News: Presenting the Genus Dragon

Genus presents a watch with a spectacular centerpiece: a guardian dragon in motion that indicates the passage of time. Bringing together Haute Horlogerie, mechanical engineering, goldsmithing, sculpture and engraving:to create a fascinating equilibrium between technical constraints and aesthetic requisites. The result is unprecedented. a graceful, powerful, expressive dragon crafted from 18K gold, like the main components of the movement, revealing not only a full range of horological artistry,but also unlocking vast creative possibilities.