Xavier Markl's Top 10 of the SIHH 2017
The SIHH 2017 was my 19th attendance to the Geneva-based fair. What a pleasure to tour the inescapable Geneva Haute Horlogerie rendez-vous, which has been great vintage indeed! Here's my top ten favorite watches, after over 2,000 pictures shot. These are presented without specific order, focusing on gents watches (no mention therefore of the magnificent jeweled watches from Cartier, Piaget or Van Cleef and Arpels). A tough choice but as we had to pick ten, here we go with my personal highlightsGreubel Forsey Grande SonnerieThe grande sonnerie and petite sonnerie hold a special place in the world of Haute Horlogerie. There is only a handful of watchmakers capable of manufacturing such works of arts, often regarded as the ultimate horological complication. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey are adding a 24-second inclined tourbillon to their impressive Grande Sonnerie. The power-hungry strike-work mechanism is powered by its one barrel wound by a micro-rotor to fulfill its function for lo

Independent Haute Horlogerie vs. the 'BIG Names' part 2 - Monochrome Watches
Independent watchmakers and the ‘BIG name’ brands are very different. Yet they all aim for the same goal, which is making (and selling) beautiful watches. In a series of articles i will share some?observations and thoughts.In my first chronicle about Independent Watchmakers & the ‘BIG name’ brands I wrote about the difference in reputation and the role of marketing. The ‘BIG names’ usually have a name that is well known to most people, especially among watch collectors. Not only a long history plays a role in this, also huge marketing budgets helps relatively new-comers to build a reputation very fast.Just take a look at these ads of Omega and Patek Philippe. They look familiar, don’t they? You have probably seen them in numerous magazines. And advertising in print media is expensive! Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Hands-On: The Slimmer and Smaller Byrne Gyro Dial Meca
Customisation has fast become a watch industry standard, offering buyers a host of case materials, dial colours, strap options, etc… However, it's not often that you come across a watch with four different faces, or rather, four different fonts for four revolving numerals on the dial. Designer and former watch restorer John Byrne's Gyro Dial is not a traditional high-brow complication, but its playful rotating cubes marked an industry first and belie the complex movement developed for Byrne. The latest Gyro Dial Meca, positioned as the inaugural model of a permanent collection, relies on a new manual-winding movement, relocates the crown, and comes in a more compact 38mm diameter case.Introduced just two years ago, Byrne's Gyro Dial has quickly gained popularity with its “one watch, four faces” strategy. This unique design approach, represented with closed and openworked dials, is proving to be a winning formula. Like the Gyro Dial Zero and the Gyro Dial Golf Edition,

TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Mario Kart Limited Editions - Hands-On, Price
TAG Heuer watches, and specifically the Formula 1 collection (obviously, with such a name), are all about racing and motorsports – the sport most associated with the brand. And yes, they often are relatively serious, or at least very focused on real-world automobiles. But what about keeping the racing spirit alive and sending it to a different universe, something about fun and playful inspirations? Something that will speak to a nostalgic (or not) audience? Something about one of the most emblematic characters and video games of the last 30 years? Yes, TAG Heuer is back with Mario Kart and brings two watches that are at the same time serious, unprecedented and very fun indeed. Like it or not…This pair of Formula 1 limited editions marks the second instalment in the TAG Heuer x Mario Kart story, following last year’s TAG Heuer Connected model, which became a hit in stores and a must-have for true Mario Kart aficionados (and there are a lot of them). Now, the chips and

Linde Werdelin test - part 1 - Monochrome Watches
Finding a perfect vacation watch is a subject that has kept me busy for some years. When Linde Werdelin heard about my vacation plans they immediately?asked me to test their 2-Timer. Is?this the perfect vacation watch?During the month of January i’m on vacation in India. No luxurious vacation, a basic backpacking trip that starts in Goa for?a few days of pure relaxation!?Linde Werdelin was so bold to lend me a 2-Timer so i could put it to the test. Last year i wrote a few times about my search for the ideal vacation watch on Monochrome and on Worldtempus.com. At the end of this month i will post a complete review and my conclusions about the watch Linde Werdelin so kindly lend me for this vacation.For now i will try to share a few impressions of the first days of my journey…. the Linde Werdelin 2-Timer on my wrist during the flight from Amsterdam to Mumbai. Ad - Scroll to continue with article