Watches NEWS
Interview - In Conversation with Philippe Dufour
Philippe Dufour is a living legend. The independent watchmaker is one of most (if not the most) revered craftsmen in the industry and his watches are regarded as the ultimate in traditional hand-finishing. We visited the 70-year-old master in the small village of Le Solliat, in the Vallee de Joux. There, Philippe Dufour crafts his watches entirely by hand, elevating the art of watchmaking to the highest level. Visiting his workshop is a unique experience. It is exactly what you have dreamed about, and yet everything is a surprise and catches your attention: old tools, ancient machines, drawers, books, raw materials This place has soul.How does one become one of the most revered craftsmen in the Swiss watch industry?First of all, it takes patience and hard work. You must remove some words from your vocabulary: weekends, holidays or retirement. Once this is done you can start. It's been a long road. Being recognized for your work takes years.? I have been an independent watchmaker since
Introducing: The IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon
With watch brands across the board riding the Chinese New Year wave, there are no prizes for guessing which of the twelve animals represented in the Chinese Zodiac will be in the limelight this year. Admittedly one of the more attractive beasts to depict on a watch, the dragon replaces the rabbit of 2023 and will reign supreme until he is replaced by the snake in 2025. One month ahead of the Lunar New Year, IWC releases a limited edition of its Portugieser Chronograph. Flaunting a rich burgundy-coloured dial – associated with good luck, celebrations and prosperity in Asia – the brand has adopted the same prudent approach as last year’s celebratory Chinese New Year Portugieser model and hidden the mascot from prying eyes.Last year, which starred the Year of the Rabbit, IWC produced a special version of its Portugieser Automatic time-only model with a burgundy dial with gold-plated appliques and a rabbit engraved on the rotor. This year, the more complicated Portugieser
VIDEO - The Seamaster Chronicles - Part 2, How the Omega Seamaster Became an Icon?
Last week, we launched our new video project in association with Omega, “The Seamaster Chronicles“, which you’ve probably guessed, takes a deep dive into the world of the Omega Seamaster. This follows our other project focussed on the Moonwatch,?the Speedmaster Chronicles. In our first instalment of the “The Seamaster Chronicles”, we took a close look at the history of the Omega Seamaster, a watch born on the foundations of the military watches delivered to the Royal Air Force, a watch that evolved to become an entire collection of elegant or rugged sports watches. A “war-tested” watch commercialised as a “child of peace”. Today, we’re proud to introduce the second part of?“The Seamaster Chronicles”, in which we explore how it attained its iconic status.In this second instalment, our guest speakers are none other than President and CEO of Omega, Raynald Aeschlimann, and Auctioneer Thomas Perazzi from Phillips.In th
Ulysse Nardin Blast Skeleton Tourbillon - Introducing, Live Pics, Price
Ulysse Nardin unveils an even more radical take on its Skeleton Tourbillon with its latest Blast models. Today, during the Geneva Watch Days event, the brand releases four new supercharged Blast models with edgier, sharper cases meant to emulate the lines of stealth aircraft and a double X traversing the skeletonised dials. The latest arrivals – White Blast, Rose Gold Blast, Black Blast and Blue Blast – are a blast from the past and have poached design cues from the Skeleton Tourbillon and the Skeleton X, both members of UN's Executive Collection. For the first time in its history, the Skeleton Tourbillon collection is equipped with an automatic movement and a new platinum micro-rotor.Stealth fighter jetThe 45mm case of the Blast models might remind you of the Skeleton X Magma and the Skeleton Tourbillon models of the past, but with a meaner, badass attitude. The architecture is more aggressive with tessellated lugs and sharp lines to evoke the silhouette of stealth fighter
Kees Engelbarts Chinese Dragon Gate Legend Trilogy
Looking at these extraordinary handcrafted pieces by indie Dutch master engraver Kees Engelbarts, the first person you can imagine wearing one of these artworks is Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones as she rides astride her fire-wielding dragons. ?And I'm sure Engelbarts would enjoy our choice given his lively fantasy, his passion for mythical creatures and his dexterity in Vulcan's forge to perform the millenary Japanese metalworking craft of Mokume Gane. The latest fantasy to emerge from his workshop is a trilogy of watches inspired by the legend of the Chinese Dragon Gate. Each unique piece represents a different stage in the legend and is represented by different artistic techniques, all crafted exclusively by hand. What is interesting here is that Engelbarts has invited other artists to collaborate in the creation of this unique trilogy that records the journey of the golden carp in its quest to conquer the Dragon Gate.The one-of-a-kind Tsuba, with Mokume Gane dial.Kees Engelba