All you want to know about Finishing in Haute Horlogerie - Monochrome Watches
The avant-garde mind needed to design the complex inner workings of a watch fascinates all but a selective few of us, mere mortals. The Promethean ambition to master time has inspired inventive minds for centuries; with the hands of talented craftsmen bringing exquisite horological art to life. Beyond the intricacies of the mechanics of time, the relentless search for perfection in their manufacturing is the hallmark which we call Haute Horlogerie. Here is an in-depth guide to the different techniques used to finish a movement, according to the concept of high-end watchmaking.The term “finishing” encompasses the vast array of techniques performed on watch components, once they have been produced by machines. All the traces of machining are erased, parts are polished and decorated with extreme care by hand. Raw metal is turned into works of art - horological alchemy.The intricacies L951.6 calibre of the A. Lange und Sohne Datograph. As always with the Saxon manufacture, the

Introducing the IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince in Red Gold - Specs and Price - Monochrome Watches
The end of last year we told you about the limited edition Big Pilot Watch?honouring one of IWC’s?favourite ambassadors, the late Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and his famous character le petit Prince. Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and the Petit Prince', feature as IWC limited editions regularly and always, a part of the proceeds go to a good cause. After the steel version, IWC have now come with a follow up limited edition, the IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince in red gold.The “Le Petit Prince” are all limited editions and the Antoine de Saint-Exupery editions are ‘special editions’ and all are linked with charity. For instance the Pilot Chronograph Saint-Exupery ‘Last Flight‘, which is entirely executed in a?brown ceramic case, comes in several editions, and one of these editions has a platinum crown, pushers and case-back. This platinum model is auctioned and all proceeds go to the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Foundation. A part of the proceeds of ALL ̶

Hands-On - Chopard Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition (Specs & Price)
Originally scheduled to take place in mid-May but cancelled because of the pandemic, the Mille Miglia 2020 edition starts today. From 22 - 25 October, 400 vintage cars competing in the 1,000-mile regularity race from Brescia to Rome and back will race through the Italian countryside drawing crowds of classic car aficionados. ?As the partner and official timekeeper of the Mille Miglia race for the past 32 years, Chopard will be presenting every team taking part in the race with the latest Mille Miglia Race Edition chronograph before they arrive at the start line. For the rest of the world, the two chronometer-certified chronographs, one in black DLC-treated stainless steel and the other in two-tone black DLC-steel and 18k rose gold, will be available in limited editions of 1,000 and 250 pieces respectively.?Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and famous driver Jacky Ickx, at the 2019 edition of the Mille MigliaChopard has been the partner and official timekeeper of the 1000 Miglia since 1988, the

Buying Guide: Six Watches With Very Appealing Gradient Dials
Dials can come in all sorts of colours and decorative patterns, but one specific style that always seems to stand out more is the gradient dial. Also referred to as fume?or degrade, the concept is fairly simple. You start with a certain colour in the middle and gradually darken it towards the edge. More often than not, such a dial can elevate a watch beyond more mundane, solid-coloured rivals. One brand that has been showcasing its ability to play with this colour-shifting concept is H. Moser & Cie, and it shouldn’t be a surprise it has made the list for this instalment of our weekly Buying Guide. Along with Moser, there are five more watches to discover, all featuring a similarly styled dial.H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Small Seconds MicrorotorThe Streamliner is H. Moser & Cie’s refined take on the luxury sports watch with a decisively 1970s vibe. The pebble-like shape of the case, the flowing integrated bracelet and, more often than not, a fantastic dial and mov

Just Because - What Is a Ligne in Watchmaking And Why It is Still used?
While today the world relies mostly on two measurement systems (metric and imperial), things haven’t been always that simple. Each country, each culture, sometimes even each corporation had its own units and ways to measure its commodities or production. And if you're into watchmaking, you might have spotted one of these old units when it comes to measuring a movement, without really knowing what it means, or where it comes from. This unit is the “ligne” and today we tell you what it is and why it even exists.The ligne is an ancient French measure that has become an established member of Swiss watchmaking folklore – Swiss watchmaking has a lot to do with French culture. It is still being used today to denote the measurement of the diameter or the calibre of a movement. A ligne is equivalent to 2.256mm. Conversely, a millimeter equals 0.443 lignes. Its symbol is a triple prime. The ligne is still used in a rather approximative way though by watchmakers. For insta