One of the defining aspects of fine watchmaking is finishing. While watch manufacturers have found ways to democratize iconic designs and even produce mechanical complications at scale, the world’s best finished timepieces are done so by hand and in small numbers. Today we’re taking a closer look at some of the finishing techniques that often embody an astute attention to detail by the watchmaker / brand.
Read MoreAfter a nearly 6 year hiatus from the brand’s “automotive inspired” timepieces, Max Büsser and friends are back with a new release – the HM8 Mark 2. Limited to 33 in each of the timepiece’s colorways, the HM8 Mark 2 takes everything that MB&F fans have loved in this automotive series over the last 10+ years and has made it more technical, more legible, even more modern, and easier to wear.
Read MoreAuctioned this past weekend (May 13-14 2023) in Geneva for ~ US$450,000, we’re diving into the backstory of this extraordinary timepiece and its significance in modern independent watchmaking.
Read MoreWe’re continuing on our journey through the most iconic timepieces from modern independents. Though it is nearly impossible to pick only one, we’re focusing on the DB28 and diving into the aspects that define this timepiece as an icon in modern independent watchmaking.
Read MoreWe were curious to learn more about the brand’s journey and caught up with Claude, the master watchmaker behind Armin Strom, to dive deeper into where things started and how the brand has built its momentum.
Read MoreWith the auction of Urwerk’s UR-102 “TimeForArt,” the brand showcased its new UR-102 for the very first time. Now, only a few months after that auction, Felix and Martin are back with another exceptional pièce unique: the UR-105M Trinity. This timepiece is also headed to auction and is sure to find its home with an avid independent watchmaking collector.
Read MoreEvery year, the watchmaking world comes together to release and celebrate its latest creations at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. We had the pleasure of attending the event this year, saw many friends, even more exciting timepieces, and filmed some great videos on our YouTube channel. During the week, social media is bombarded with releases to such an extent that it can feel like a whirlwind for collectors. A week removed from the flurry of new releases, we’re taking a step back to shed a light on some of our favorites from Watches and Wonders 2023.
Read MoreDe Bethune has a collection that embodies the extremes of Denis Flageollet’s creativity – the Dream Watch. Back again with a new release, we’re thrilled to present the DBD “Season 2,” designed in collaboration with hip-hop artist and indie watch superfan, Swizz Beats.
Read MoreWe’ve known Rexhep Rexhepi since the earliest days of AkriviA. One of the leaders of the young generations of independent watchmakers, the man and his team have over-delivered on expectations since the brand’s arrival on the scene more than a decade ago. For us though, the AK-06 holds a special place in the growth and development of one of the craft’s most beloved watchmakers. Today, we’re diving into the aspects that define the AK-06 as an icon in modern independent watchmaking.
Read MoreThe future of independent watchmaking is bright. While AHCI started in Switzerland, independent watchmaking today is thoroughly global. We’ve seen exceptional talent spring out of places far from the traditional watchmaking capitals of Geneva, Vallée du Joux, and Glashütte. One of the young watchmakers that has particularly captured our attention is in the heart of Berlin – Felipe Pikullik.
Read MoreThere are many ways that a watch movement can be considered great. It could be its complication, simplicity, finishing, three-dimensionality, symmetry, asymmetry, materials, or any combination of all of these things. In today’s world, these various factors are not all created equal though. One from this list occupies a disproportionately large amount of attention in the watch world: finishing.
Read MoreContinuing our series on iconic watches in modern independent watchmaking, we’d be remiss in our duties to overlook F.P. Journe’s Chronomètre à Résonance. While some of the master watchmaker’s more recent timepieces have gained popular attention (the Chronomètre Bleu, Chronomètre Souverain), the Chronomètre à Résonance is the watch that elevated François-Paul Journe to one of the greatest watchmakers in the history of horology.
Read MoreToday, we’re focusing on some emerging trends that we’ve observed in independent watchmaking over the last five years. Laying out what has changed will help us better understand where things are heading in the future.
Read MoreWhat makes an iconic watch? With this series on icons in modern independent watchmaking, we’re going to shed light on some of the aspects that define these timepieces, above and beyond the metal. And what better place to start than Urwerk’s UR-103, the brand’s first serially produced timepiece that laid the foundation for an extensive catalog of marvels in modern horology.
Read MoreWhere De Bethune blurs the lines between traditional and modern, Horological Alchemy blurs the lines between a history of watchmaking, a philosophical exploration of the discipline, and a memoir. We’re going to walk through some of the more fascinating aspects of Flageollet’s musings on watchmaking.
Read MoreThat’s what we’re digging into today, the challenges that pushed watchmakers and creatives in independent watchmaking the most. We spoke with two watchmakers, Jean-François Mojon and Sylvain Pinaud, as well as one of the chief creative minds amongst independents, Max Büsser, to hear their input on what challenges they face.
Read MoreFor collectors and enthusiasts, last year was a strong indicator that creative momentum is building amongst indies. Looking back on the last 12 months, we should be excited for what’s in store for 2023. Before we move on from last year, our team gathered to name some of our favorite timepieces from 2022. Here’s our picks and why.
Read MoreWhen Martin Frei of Urwerk comes to town, it’s always a great time! We fittingly close off the year with a bang and a preview of Urwerk’s novelties including the UR-120, UR-100 UV and a throwback piece to come in 2023.A very special thank you to Martin Frei, Yacine Sar, and Phil Ogle of Urwerk, Antoine Abeddy from our partners at Date & Time and all our friends who attended and made it a special evening.
Read MoreA four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking.
A four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking. We continue the EsperLuxe & Friends series in Boston with our friends.
With the arrival of MB&F The First Fifteen Years, it's a rare opportunity to immerse oneself into the company and its creations in a comprehensive way. The catalogue raisonné, usually reserved for an artist’s corpus, is a fitting format given the burst creativity that MB&F has brought forth across dozens of timepieces and 20 in-house calibres. Writers Suzanne Wong and William Messena do not disappoint in their handling of the MB&F story. Less of a book review and more of a love letter, we wanted to cast a spotlight on some things that stood out in between the lines.
Read More
