Four stand-out artisanal watchmakers we've seen at Geneva Watch Week
As advocates of the whole mechanical watchmaking industry, sharing the passion for watches on a daily basis, even we sometimes discover truly fascinating new people, brands and watches. We've always had a devotion to bringing you the best in the business, and this includes providing a podium to the smallest of the small. We're madly enthusiastic about people dedicating their entire life to painstakingly creating what they believe is the best possible watch. And in true artisanal watchmaking, that means by hand, all alone or with a very small team, and with tremendous amounts of patience. During the recent Geneva Watch Week, we got up close with four such watches by small independent makers, often working solo. Some familiar faces, and some entirely new, but all of them equally fascinating and astounding to behold.Earlier this year published three Sunday stories (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) where we listed some of the best independent watchmakers outside of Switzerland. In a sense, today's

Hands-On - The New Omega De Ville Tresor Power Reserve (Price)
Omega unveils the first in a line of new De Ville Tresor men's watches for 2021. Previously available in three-hand & date configurations, the new 18k yellow gold Tresor model features a power reserve indicator at noon counterbalanced by a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock. Following in the footsteps of its 1949 ancestor, the guiding light behind the Tresor is the combination of understated elegance with a peerless movement. The latest De Ville Tresor Power Reserve embraces both facets. The subtle vintage vibe and slim profile deliver the understated elegance we associate with the Tresor collection, while the manual-winding Master Chronometer movement guarantees the industry’s highest standard of precision, chronometric performance and magnetic-resistance.not just a pretty faceThe Tresor, launched in 1949, was Omega's proposal of a simple, three-hand watch for men in a slim case with the best-performing movement of its day. Tresor, meaning treasure, did not refer to the pre

Only Watch 2017 - Chopard Superfast 8Hz, With Unique High-Beat Movement (And a Weekend at Monaco Historique GP with Legend Jacky Ickx) - Monochrome Watches
While the Only Watch charity auction usually presents unique pieces in order to raise funds to help research on?Duchenne muscular dystrophy, this year some brands are going a few steps further by not only having unique watches?but also offering, in the package, special?experiences (such as Bell & Ross, Carl F. Bucherer and Blancpain). This is also the case for Chopard, who for Only Watch 2017, will present a unique high-beat watch?in honor of legendary pilot?Jacky Ickx (the Chopard Superfast 8Hz Power Control Porsche 919 Only Watch 2017) – and speaking of Mr.?Ickx, there’s something priceless that you’ll be able to bid on too…For the occasion of Only Watch 2017, Chopard presents a unique watch, not only in terms of design, but also on the mechanical side – which is always a pleasant feature. Visually, the watch takes as its base the bold and racing-oriented?Superfast Chrono made to celebrate the partnership with Porsche Racing, especially the 919 Hybri

Hands-On - The Tudor Royal Date-Day 41mm Blue Dial (Specs & Price)
The 1970s-inspired sporty-chic watch with an integrated bracelet is more fashionable than ever. This is undeniable and many brands, from high-end to accessible, have entered the race to cater to those who’re in the market for such a piece. Driven by the market’s enthusiasm for icons such as the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, we’ve seen countless alternatives being presented in a more reasonable segment of the industry. Latest in line is Tudor, which presented a collection with an unmistakable 1970s vibe earlier this year. Today, we give some wrist time to the collection’s highlight: the Tudor Royal Date-Day 41mm with blue dial.?Unlike many watches in Tudor’s collection, the Royal is not a re-edition of a past model. Yes, the name itself has been used in the past, but the watches bearing this name were nothing like today’s sporty-chic models with integrated bracelets. They were simple, time-only dress watches with (let’s be honest) low significance

Baselworld / MCH CEO steps down following Swatch Group withdrawal from Baselworld 2019 - Monochrome Watches
Less than a week after Swatch Group announced it would not be participating in? Baselworld 2019, MCH Group (the company operating Baselworld) has issued a press release announcing that the “Board of Directors of MCH Group and CEO Rene Kamm have reached the joint and mutual conclusion that the time has come for a change in the operational leadership of MCH Group in view of the fundamental transformation phase in business operations”.In May, MCH named Michel Loris-Melikoff as the head of Baselworld following the resignation of longstanding managing director, Sylvie Ritter and the challenges posed to Baselworld following the withdrawal of numerous exhibitors and increasing criticism regarding the organisation.Michel Loris-MelikoffCEO Rene Kamm came under pressure after Swatch Group announced that it would no longer exhibit at Baselworld. Ulrich Vischer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, will adopt responsibility for the Group’s operational activities until the appointm