Buying Guide: Going All-Out With Outrageously Expressive Watches
A couple of weeks ago we did a rundown of what we felt are some of the best dress watches for the festive season. A time when we get together with our loved ones to celebrate, enjoy, and take a little break from our daily concerns. While a dress watch certainly seems like a fitting choice for celebrations, there is another way to do things. Why not let loose a little and go for something outrageously expressive? We’re still talking mechanical watches here, so expect complications and decorations throughout, yet in a very outspoken manner. Time to pop the champagne!Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Merlin editionGather around is to be taken quite literally in the Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Merlin Edition, as it spreads twelve handcrafted and finely detailed sword-wielding figurines around the dial. These surround 56 individual glass, gold and basalt blocks resembling the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, once said to be crossed by Merlin the Magician.

A Technical Perspective - A Guide To The Hairspring
Sprung to life: who manufactures Hairsprings? An industry perspective on this key component whose production is still shrouded in secrecy – Barely one centimeter 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 and the whole Swiss watch industry has been relying on one supplier, Swatch Group's Nivarox at least, until very recently!Christian Huygens is credited (by common consensus) with the invention of the first movement with a balance wheel and hairspring in 1675. Since then, the principles of the regulating organ of the watch have changed very little. The escapement gives impulses to the balance wheel. In return, it is regulated by the balance. The oscillations of the balance wheel regulate the flow of time: each swing of the balance allows the gear train to advance a set amount. Its role is similar to that of a pendulum in a clock. The extremely thin coiled hai

The 2020 Pasha de Cartier Stainless Steel 41mm (Specs & Price)
The Parisian Maison heralded the return of its Pasha de Cartier collection a couple of weeks ago, during the virtual edition of Watches & Wonders 2020. Originally launched as a collection in 1985, the Pasha was discontinued about ten years ago. Awakening after a decade of slumber, the Pasha de Cartier arrives in two new case sizes of 41mm and 35mm and is clearly being marketed as a unisex watch. Apart from the high jewellery and skeletonised/tourbillon models, the core collection is composed of three-hand models in different case materials fitted with mechanical automatic movements and Cartier's QuickSwitch strap changing system. How has the original 1985 fared in this latest transformation? Was it really commissioned as a one-off waterproof piece by the Pasha of Marrakech in 1932? Read on and find out what we thought of the legend behind the watch and the 41mm steel version we had for our review session.CARTIER’S REMARKABLE SHAPED CASESThe legendary Parisian jewellery house

First Look: The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF in Ceramicised Titanium
The latest Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF by Chopard comes in a ceramicised titanium case and bezel, staying true to the collection’s signature aesthetic while enhancing durability and lightness. Its core specifications remain unchanged: a 41mm diameter with a 9.75mm thickness, a screw-down crown adorned with a compass rose, and crown guards for protection. A sapphire crystal caseback, marked with the Cadence 8HF designation, offers a glimpse of the high-frequency movement within, while 100m water resistance ensures everyday versatility. Both the bezel with eight screws and the midcase feature a bead-blasted finish, reinforcing the watch’s modern, technical appeal. The 7mm crown is also crafted from ceramicised titanium.The dial, finished in “Pitch Black”, is achieved through stamping and PVD treatment, retaining the Alpine Eagle’s signature sunburst pattern, inspired by an eagle’s iris. However, in this SL - Super Light edition of the Alpine Eagle 41 Cade

Industry LVMH 2022 First Semester Sales Report
LVMH, the world's largest luxury-goods company, has just released its results for the first semester of 2022. The French luxury powerhouse delivered again record performance with a revenue of EUR 36.7 billion, up 28% compared to the same period in 2021. Organic revenue growth was 21%. All business groups achieved double-digit organic revenue growth over the period. The profit from recurring operations has increased by 34% to EUR 10.2 billion.Just like what has been reported by other players (for instance Swatch Group for the watch industry), the growth has been driven by Europe, Japan and the United States. Business in Asia (excl. Japan) was impacted by partial lockdowns, especially in China. The performance was positive for all business groups and was once again remarkable for the Fashion and leather goods business group with revenues of EUR 18.1 billion (+31% reported). Ad - Scroll to continue with article