In-Depth - The Future Of Silicon Hairspring & The Expired Patent
Barely one centimetre in diameter, the hairspring is the beating heart of a watch movement. It is a strategic component in several respects. Manufacturing hairsprings is a complex process mastered only by a few companies. Conventional hairsprings are made of iron-nickel alloys, such as Nivarox. For several years now, silicon has been revolutionizing traditional watchmaking. Borrowed from the semiconductor industry, silicon presents remarkable properties to manufacture hairsprings outperforming those made from conventional metal alloys. But until very recently, silicon hairsprings have been used by a limited number of companies, which patented the technology Things might change as their patent has now expired. We could well enter the silicon age.?The silicon-based Spiromax hairspring of Patek PhilippeThe benefits of the silicon hairspringNot everyone is a fan of the modern silicon hairspring. Some wonder whether silicon has its place in a traditional mechanical watch. Others question th

UNDONE Aqua Dive Watch (automatic, customizable) - Specs & Price
The popularity of microbrands is rapidly spreading and unique mechanical watches are being sold at cut-throat prices. An interesting piece can be had for well under USD 500, but odds are you'll be getting a Chinese movement and parts that are far removed from Switzerland. That doesn't mean that many of these watches are bad products, but from both a reliability and collector’s standpoint, they're often considered a lower tier. UNDONE is a popular microbrand that stands out from the crowd with its customisation options. Colours, cases, dials, hands, straps and even materials can be individually chosen to create a unique timepiece just for you, all for under USD 500. Many of its watches are attractive chronographs – equipped with quartz movements instead of mechanical ones. Their Aqua series of dive watches, however, have proven Seiko automatics inside and are an excellent value proposition for budding enthusiasts or active divers. Dive watches are among my favourite styles a

Only Watch 2017 - F.P.Journe Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante
After the unique Patek Philippe 5208T for Only Watch 2017 we’ve just introduced to?you, you might think that you’ve seen the best of the upcoming charity auction… but you’d be wrong, as?F.P.Journe will have a unique?Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante (the first split-seconds he has ever created), with the usual tantalum / blue chrome combination. And that is quite something!For Only Watch 2015, F.P.Journe previously?proffered a visually stunning watch, the Tourbillon Souverain Bleu in tantalum. However, as beautiful this watch was, and even if it did reach an impressive CHF?550,000, it was not an entirely new watch per se,?but rather a visual update of an existing model. For 2017,?F.P.Journe goes much, much?further, as not only has he introduced a new and unique watch, but notably one which also features?an entirely new movement – and?when you know the genius behind this brand, then you have good reason to be?excited! Ad - Scroll to continue

Introducing the VicenTerra Luna - Monochrome Watches
Some three years ago we first introduced you to VicenTerra, a new watch brand that launched their first timepiece, the VicenTerra GMT-3, via pre-registering. All GMT-3’s of the pre-registration, which were sold for 1/3th of the normal retail price, have been delivered and we’ve seen some photos of happy new owners on the web. Now VicenTerra have opened a new pre-registration for their second timepiece, the VicenTerra Luna.The pre-registration is actually a Kickstarter-like method and this has proven to be a successful formula for VicenTerra. Developing your own complications requires a serious budget. The fact that?Vincent Plomb, the founder of VicenTerra, is a constructor and develops the complication modules himself, definitely cuts a large part of the costs. However starting the production still requires funds and through the registration you can secure one of the limited edition: red gold, yellow gold, white gold or stainless steel. Ad - Scroll to continue wi

New 2022 Editions of Fortis Marinemaster M-44 - Hands-On, Specs, Price
A Swiss brand specialised (mostly) in rugged watches meant to be used onboard planes or in outer space, Fortis continues its restructuring and revamping its collections. Last year, the brand relaunched one of its most important watches, which for once isn’t made for the air, but for exploration of planet Earth, on land and underwater. A typical all-rounder for adventure, the Fortis Marinemaster was revamped with two editions, a compact 40mm version and its bigger, bolder brother, the manufacture-powered Marinemaster M-44. Previously only available in orange, this action-ready watch now comes in 4 new colours, including a rather surprising Limited Edition.The name Marinemaster originates from the 1950s and has since been used to indicate the brand's highly waterproof watches. During the years the name has adorned watches with the intention to be used in aquatic life, but not necessarily ultra-focused dive watches. It could include complications such as a chronograph, or an alarm.