Baume & Mercier introduces Clifton 1830 - Monochrome Watches
Baume & Mercier have recently launched an entirely new collection, named Clifton, and yesterday they introduced the top line model of the collection, the new Clifton 1830.?This is a lovely?dress watch, with classic?looks, ?in red gold and with a proprietary manual wind movement. The Clifton 1830 comes in a red gold case, measuring 42 mm in diameter. The beefy case has lovely classic lugs and shows?more tasty details, like the applied numerals and stick markers,?the blue small seconds hand and more. One thing that I particularly like: it’s got a proprietary movement delivering 90 hours of power reserve. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The movement is, like the chronograph calibers used in the Capeland, exclusively made for Baume & Mercier by the La Joux-Perret Manufacture. The 90 hours of power, that caliber 7381 holds,?are stored in two main s

Indie Watchmaking - Hands-On Cedric Johner Abyss Chronograph
Stepping into Cedric Johner's modestly sized workshop in Carouge in the outskirts of Geneva is a unique experience. Inside you will find an eclectic mix of old tools and hand-operated machines as the independent watchmaker started his career as a jeweller. With this background, Johner is a versatile artisan with a very personal way of looking at traditional mechanical watchmaking, using original techniques and crafts to make his watches by himself, in very small numbers, with a highly personal design. And the Cedric Johner Abyss Chronograph 30th Anniversary, equipped with a superb version of the Valjoux 23, is a typical example of his work. To celebrate 30 years of independent watchmaking, Cedric Johner has started a 30-piece limited edition based on his signature Abyss case in a chronograph version. The beautiful hand-wound, column-wheel chronograph movement found in this limited-edition Abyss is a refinished old-stock Valjoux 23 calibre. The origins of the lege

Van Cleef & Arpels' Stephanie Rault Explains The Brand's Approach To Watchmaking
Each year, during the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve (or in short, the GPHG), one brand always stands out because it wins so many awards: Van Cleef & Arpels. It might not have been the name you expected; however, if you look at the sheer number of awards it has won over the years, it is more than impressive (three in the 2024 GPHG alone). While we have scarcely covered the typical high jewellery watches from Van Cleef & Arpels, the opening of a new boutique in Amsterdam was the perfect moment to learn more about the brand. For this, I turned to Stephanie Rault, European President of the Maison, to hear about Van Cleef & Arpels' watches and future plans.Van Cleef and Arpels Lady Arpels PlanetariumFrank Geelen, MONOCHROME – I mainly know Van Cleef & Arpels as a jewellery brand. If it wasn’t for the numerous prizes Van Cleef & Arpels has won or the rather spectacular Midnight Planetarium and the Lady Arpels Planetarium, both in collaboration with C

Hands-On - 2021 Longines Legend Diver Gradient Blue and Brown
The brand with the Winged Hourglass has many emblematic models in its collection, most of them being found in the praised Heritage line. Yet, few can rival the longevity and beauty of the Longines Legend Diver, one of the watches that defined the vintage-inspired collection of the brand and that is still a strong pillar in the portfolio. Since its introduction in 2007, this compressor-inspired watch has undergone several updates, visual or mechanical, and even went bronze, full black-coated or gold recently. For 2021, the collection is enlarged with colourful dials. We go hands-on with the new Longines Legend Diver with Gradient Blue or Gradient Brown dials.The Longines Legend Diver, or LLD for its fans, has been modelled after an important vintage watch that Longines created back in the late 1960s, when professional and recreational dive watches were a growing trend, and when this specific type of case architecture was seen as a great alternative to the standard construction for dive

Introducing: The Neo Kung Orienta Chronograph
A new name on the independent watchmaking firmament arises, as Chinese watchmaker Neo Kung presents his Orienta. With experience working for the Seagull and Shanghai movement manufacturers, Neo Kung has a deep understanding of what it takes to build a movement. And by the looks of it, he knows what he’s doing! His Orienta has a movement based on the enigmatic Venus 175 calibre, a rather pleasing vintage appeal and a subtle touch of Chinese design and styling that will surely cross borders and excite enthusiasts the world over.Chinese watchmaking is still often stigmatised. And yes, while there are plenty of (very) questionable watches coming from China, several brands and watchmakers are definitely worth the time and effort. To the point even that they’re certainly worth spending money on! Names like Celadon HH, Qin Gang, Logan Kuan Rao and Atelier Wen are at the forefront of high-end or luxury watchmaking that can rival the Swiss. Maybe not by volume, but certainly by craf