5 Mechanical Marvels from Baselworld 2018 - Monochrome Watches
On the contrary to?most of the other buying guides we’ve published, the present one is more of a “wish list” or a “dream list” rather than a proper guide – so consider it a guide for those who already have everything they need but want to be genuinely surprised. Nothing here is rational, it’s all about passion, ingenuity, creativity and impressive mechanics. From the thinnest automatic watch ever created to a signing automaton or an atomic?sympathique?clock, here are the five most marvellous mechanical creations we’ve seen at Baselworld 2018.Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon AutomaticLet’s start straight away with one of the hottest brands of the moment: Bvlgari. Yes, the Italian Maison is a proper watchmaking expert and as a demonstration of this savoir-faire, it has created several record-breaking ultra-thin watches – the thinnest tourbillon, the thinnest minute repeater and here is the new thinnest automatic watch AND thinn

Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Stone Dials 2022 - Hands-On
For somebody looking for a watch with design flair and plenty of originality that won't break the bank, Louis Erard is a brand worth exploring. Always on the hunt for new ideas, Louis Erard has worked with many watchmakers and designers to create imaginative, original watches that also happen to be affordable. The latest project involves three Petite Seconde models from the Excellence collection with malachite, aventurine and lapis lazuli dials.Instead of trying to dream up new models from scratch, Louis Erard reached out to renowned watchmakers and designers to give their unique interpretations of some of the brand’s classic models, like the Reglateur. And sure enough, the brand started to gain traction and visibility with big-name collaborations like Alain Silberstein, Vianney Halter and Eric Giroud. Consolidating the new direction, the brand called in industry consultant Manuel Emch, former CEO of Jaquet Droz and Romain Jerome, for an assessment. The idea, according to Emch, w

Flowers of Evil - A Treatise On Skull Watches
“A Carcass” (a must-read;?here) is without doubt Charles Baudelaire's most infamous poem, exploring the idea that beauty can be found in even the most morbid scenes. Like Baudelaire's “Flowers of Evil“, skull watches attempt to extract beauty from horror. These magnificent mechanical works of art emblazoned with the face of death are at once both shocking and engaging. They also serve an important purpose, an allusion to which we can find in one of the last stanzas of the poem:– And yet you will be like this corruption – Like this horrible infectionMemento Mori – remember that you must die. This familiar Latin expression, which traces its origins back to Ancient Rome, is intended to remind man of his mortality lest he should get too caught up in the trivial matters of this finite world. Memento Mori art is a popular extension of this concept which centers around symbols of mortality: clocks, skulls, hourglasses or candles. Ad - Scrol

Hands-On - IWC Big Pilot's Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition Mission Accomplished IW510506
When talking about pilot’s watches, the name IWC should quickly come into the discussion. The brand is one of the most legitimate manufactures in this field, with its first dedicated watch for pilots dating back to 1936. Then followed B-Uhr models, the famous Mark Series, the 1990s pilot’s chronographs and, of course, the legendary Big Pilot’s Watch. Without surprise, the Schaffhausen-based brand was a partner of choice for the very cool project named “The Longest Flight”. While a special Timezoner Spitfire?was launched to celebrate the start of the journey, IWC also unveils a watch to commemorate its end: the Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” IW510506 that we’ll be looking at today.?The Longest FlightThe “Longest Flight” project isn’t your typical Concorde-like-comfort Tour du Monde… It has been a bit more challenging than just refuelling a jet plane and crossing borders. It

Vacheron Constantin Metiers DArts Copernicus Celestial Spheres SIHH 2017
Metiers D'Art are deeply ingrained in Vacheron Constantin's tradition. At SIHH 2017, the Geneva-based Manufacture is introducing a collection in tribute to Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish mathematician and astronomer who heralded a scientific revolution, putting forward the theory of heliocentrism, overturning all existing beliefs. Three different versions bring different interpretations of the theme into three expressions of exceptional craftsmanship - all powered by a movement animating a fascinating reproduction of the earth’s rotations around the sun.The first version of the Copernicus Celestial Spheres watch boasts a champleve grand feu enamel dial drawing inspiration from an astronomical map of the Copernican system as drawn by Andreas Cellarius. The second dial is hand-engraved with the signs of the zodiac intertwined and overlapping on a white gold disc. The third dial combines laser engraving and hand-engraving on sapphire crystal. Ad - Scroll to continue with