Posts Tagged ‘Independent Watchmaking’
Waterproof Spacewear: De Bethune DB28GS
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève does not fuck around. Their Aiguille d’Or Award, or ‘Golden Hand’ (best watch of the year to us unilingual peasants . . .also shouldn’t it be golden wrist?), is one of the highest honours a piece of metal can receive. I can remember having a casual interest in watches…
Read MoreOchs Und Junior Annual Calendar in Rust
As a bit of an automotive enthusiast, rust terrifies me. It is the cancer of all mechanical art. One which we seek desperately to avoid. To see it celebrated openly seems simultaneously beautiful and sacrilegious. If any niche could pull off the celebration mechanics and rust, it would be independent watchmakers. Ochs Und Junior are…
Read More1 of 5 Romain Gauthier Logical One BTG
Haute horology is normally obsessed with elegance, fit, and finish. Romain Gauthier hits the latter two, but opts for a more industrial approach to watchmaking’s top end. The Logical One is his principle work, a brave movement design with little consideration given to tradition. GPHP has acknowledged the genuis in this approached, awarding the ‘Best…
Read MoreFinnish Finesse: Sarpaneva Korona K0 Northern Lights
I like misfits. As a guide to life, they are generally more embracing of themselves and interesting. Granted, one could say all smackheads are also misfits. The rule is not absolute. In watchmaking, there are monolithic corporations like Richemont or Swatch. Then there are the established independents: think Journe, Dufour, RW Smith, etc. Finally, there…
Read MoreSky’s not the limit: De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius
Since the mediocrity of releases peddled by most Richmonte, Swatch, LVMH, and other mainstream conglomerates, independents have begun to takeover the role of truly creative watchmaking. Trust Rolex to make the Submariner .3mm larger. Trust Omega to celebrate a 1/4 year since Buzz Aldrin shaved with a Speedmaster LE. Trust Max Büsser to get drunk…
Read MoreA Bizarre Value Proposition: Urwerk 105 TA
If Bruce Wayne wears a ‘Batman’ GMT-Master II (with Nolan, in fact, he wore a Reverso), the actual Batman suit would include this Urwerk. Urwerk’s engineered approach to watchmaking lends such a unique aesthetic that it almost seems like it belongs on the pages of a comic book. Completely disregarding all common rules of classical…
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