Buying Guide: Six Recently Uncovered Independent Watchmakers
For regular readers, it’s no real surprise that we have a deep-rooted passion for indie watchmaking;?in fact, it is the very reason for our existence. Although we tend to cover much more than high-end artisanal watchmaking, independent watchmaking forms part of our core. Uncovering new brands and projects from all corners of the globe genuinely gets our hearts racing and the juices flowing. For that simple fact, plus the notion that creativity finds a way to materialise in never-seen-before watches, we take a closer look at six newly founded independent brands ranging from intricate Metiers d’Art expressions to a do-it-yourself table clock – and everything in between!Fleming Watches Series One Launch EditionThe story of Fleming Watches is an example of a collector pursuing the dream of creating his own brand. American Thomas Fleming brought together several renowned industry partners and created the Fleming Series One. This alluring dress watch comes with a few surpri

Hands-On - Ulysse Nardin Freak Out (Specs & price)
It all started in the early 1980s with the encounter of Rolf W. Schnyder, a visionary businessman and Ludwig Oeschlin, a brilliant horologist. The two men turned Ulysse Nardin, a century-old manufacturer, into one of the most innovative watch brands around. The most striking development brought to life by the duo is, without a doubt, the Freak (2001). This legendary timepiece was powered by a revolutionary in-line movement pivoting on itself to indicate the time. It was regulated by the cutting-edge dual direct escapement'. With the Freak, Ulysse Nardin not only became a pioneer of silicon (as such it is a true game-changer in the watch industry) but developed a concept like no other regarding design, display and technology.Ulysse Nardin has developed multiple variations of the concept (for example; Freak Phantom,?FreakLab and the 2018 Freak Vision Automatic) but, even after 17 years, the Freak still retains its bold, innovative and radical character. The idea behind the all-new Freak

First Look: The All-Black Bvlgari Octo Roma Automatic & Chronograph
Ancient Rome is a constant well of inspiration at Bulgari that deftly transforms architectural motifs from the past into fresh, stylish designs. The dynamic geometry of the Octo Roma, released in 2012 and refreshed in 2023, is said to have been inspired by the octagonal coffering found on the vaults of the 4th-century Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum. Now in its sportier, more robust and less angular format, the Octo Roma revisits two models - a time-and-date and a chronograph - dressed from head-to-toe in black.An iconic Bulgari collection, the Octo Roma was the departure point for the record-breaking Octo Finissimo legion. Revisited over the years, the latest facelift corresponds to 2023, when the Octo Roma’s case became less angular and more rounded. The idea was to position the Octo Roma as an alternative to the ultra-thin Octo Finissimo, offering more robust, sportier cases and increased versatility thanks to the quick-release interchangeable strap system.

Industry News: LVMH Reports Strong Results And 15% Growth For The First Half of 2023
Following the release by the two watchmaking giants Swatch Group and Richemont of strong results for the first months of 2023, it is now time for the world's leading luxury group, LVMH, to report its revenues for the?first half of 2023. The French powerhouse, active in multiple businesses (wines & spirits, fashion & leather goods, perfumes, watches & jewelry and more) is once again reporting strong growth and impressive sales over the period, with revenues of 42.2 billion euros, up 15%?compared to the same period in 2022. This never-ending growth of sales of luxury goods is visible in all of LVMH’s business groups, including strong?rise in high jewelry and continuous increase of sales for watches.?Following impressive growth in 2022 for LVMH, with revenues of 79 billion euros over the entire year (up 23% compared to the previous period), the group is now recorded yet another highly satisfying first half of the year, with sales up by 15% (reported growth, and 17% in or

Buying Guide: The Very Best Of The Many Faces Of The Tissot PRX
When launched just a couple of short years ago, the Tissot PRX pretty much became an overnight sensation. Its sleek design, robust mechanical movement and above all its very modest sticker price skyrocketed the PRX to become one of the best-selling watches not only for Tissot but in the whole industry for years. Pretty much everywhere you go, you seem to run into a PRX of some description. With a collection that’s maturing very nicely, and now even ventures into forged carbon, the PRX proves to be quite a versatile gem! But with such a wide and deep range on offer, what are the ones to look out for? Which of the models do we think are the very best of what is an overall very good collection in itself? The answer lies in this week’s Buying Guide, and let’s get straight into it!the basic oneThe simplest can sometimes be the best, so the PRX Powermatic 40mm in classical black remains one of the best in the collection. It was part of the inaugural series of mechanical PRX