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

First Look: The new David Candaux DC6 Titanium, When Tradition meets Modernity
Late last year, we reviewed the latest edition of David Candaux DC1, crafted in titanium. A few months earlier, we had the pleasure of sharing an interview with the talented independent watchmaker from Le Solliat in Vallee de Joux, who has earned a reputation for his exceptional craft, having contributed to the creation of ultra-complicated timepieces during his work at Jaeger-LeCoultre and later as an independent concepteur horloger for renowned brands such as Bovet, Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud and MB&F, just to name a few.In 2017, Candaux debuted his first creation under his eponymous brand, the DC1, followed by the intricately guilloche-decorated DC6. Both models feature the brand's distinctive design elements: a bassinet-shaped case, a clever retractable “magic crown” at 6 o'clock, a 30-degree inclined flying tourbillon at 9 o'clock, a time dial at 3 o'clock, and a meticulously finished manually wound titanium movement. Now, at the dawn of 2025 and ahead of the

Hands-On - Does the New Zenith Elite Classic Live Up To its Predecessor?
The Elite Classic represents Zenith's vision of the elegant dress watch. Being the less famous sibling of the El Primero movement, it was long overlooked. But earlier this year, the brand from Le Locle revealed its completely revamped take on the Elite. It was received with praise. As I happen to own the previous generation of this model, it was a great opportunity to compare both pieces. Is the new version also a better one? Earlier this year, the Zenith Elite finally got the facelift it desperately needed. The most striking aspect of this renewed family is the stamped radial sunray pattern on the dial, giving the watches an expressive and dynamic face. Possible colours for the dial are classic, with options for blue, grey and white. Straps are available in the same colours and brown. It has been presented in time-and-date and with a moon phase complication, and it is available in both a gold and a steel case measuring 40,5mm. Prices start at CHF 5,900.The new Z

Cousteau and the Timepieces of the Calypso team - Part 1 - Monochrome Watches
From a very young age I remember religiously watching the Jacques Cousteau documentaries that were broadcasted on TV every Saturday afternoon. These documentaries were a window in the outside world and they allowed a young child like me to see the yellow flying saucer submarine, the divers wearing sleek yellow Spirotechnique gear, the old man himself diving and giving instructions to his comrade divers. I still remember trying to see the watches that the divers and scientists wore; these idols of my young age gave me the ‘watch bug’ that I have had ever since! In this article we are going to explore the watches that Cousteau and his team used. The list is not final; of course there are some models that might be missing. However, from my research using pictures from the internet and some dedicated blogs and forums we’ve been able to make a pretty thorough list of the watches of Cousteau and his team. Back then, the mechanical divers watch was a tool, not a jewelry item

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