De Bethune has a collection that embodies the extremes of Denis Flageollet’s creativity – the Dream Watch. Back again with a new release, we’re thrilled to present the DBD “Season 2,” designed in collaboration with hip-hop artist and indie watch superfan, Swizz Beats.
Read MoreWe’ve known Rexhep Rexhepi since the earliest days of AkriviA. One of the leaders of the young generations of independent watchmakers, the man and his team have over-delivered on expectations since the brand’s arrival on the scene more than a decade ago. For us though, the AK-06 holds a special place in the growth and development of one of the craft’s most beloved watchmakers. Today, we’re diving into the aspects that define the AK-06 as an icon in modern independent watchmaking.
Read MoreThe future of independent watchmaking is bright. While AHCI started in Switzerland, independent watchmaking today is thoroughly global. We’ve seen exceptional talent spring out of places far from the traditional watchmaking capitals of Geneva, Vallée du Joux, and Glashütte. One of the young watchmakers that has particularly captured our attention is in the heart of Berlin – Felipe Pikullik.
Read MoreThere are many ways that a watch movement can be considered great. It could be its complication, simplicity, finishing, three-dimensionality, symmetry, asymmetry, materials, or any combination of all of these things. In today’s world, these various factors are not all created equal though. One from this list occupies a disproportionately large amount of attention in the watch world: finishing.
Read MoreContinuing our series on iconic watches in modern independent watchmaking, we’d be remiss in our duties to overlook F.P. Journe’s Chronomètre à Résonance. While some of the master watchmaker’s more recent timepieces have gained popular attention (the Chronomètre Bleu, Chronomètre Souverain), the Chronomètre à Résonance is the watch that elevated François-Paul Journe to one of the greatest watchmakers in the history of horology.
Read MoreToday, we’re focusing on some emerging trends that we’ve observed in independent watchmaking over the last five years. Laying out what has changed will help us better understand where things are heading in the future.
Read MoreWhat makes an iconic watch? With this series on icons in modern independent watchmaking, we’re going to shed light on some of the aspects that define these timepieces, above and beyond the metal. And what better place to start than Urwerk’s UR-103, the brand’s first serially produced timepiece that laid the foundation for an extensive catalog of marvels in modern horology.
Read MoreWhere De Bethune blurs the lines between traditional and modern, Horological Alchemy blurs the lines between a history of watchmaking, a philosophical exploration of the discipline, and a memoir. We’re going to walk through some of the more fascinating aspects of Flageollet’s musings on watchmaking.
Read MoreThat’s what we’re digging into today, the challenges that pushed watchmakers and creatives in independent watchmaking the most. We spoke with two watchmakers, Jean-François Mojon and Sylvain Pinaud, as well as one of the chief creative minds amongst independents, Max Büsser, to hear their input on what challenges they face.
Read MoreFor collectors and enthusiasts, last year was a strong indicator that creative momentum is building amongst indies. Looking back on the last 12 months, we should be excited for what’s in store for 2023. Before we move on from last year, our team gathered to name some of our favorite timepieces from 2022. Here’s our picks and why.
Read MoreWhen Martin Frei of Urwerk comes to town, it’s always a great time! We fittingly close off the year with a bang and a preview of Urwerk’s novelties including the UR-120, UR-100 UV and a throwback piece to come in 2023.A very special thank you to Martin Frei, Yacine Sar, and Phil Ogle of Urwerk, Antoine Abeddy from our partners at Date & Time and all our friends who attended and made it a special evening.
Read MoreA four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking.
A four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking. We continue the EsperLuxe & Friends series in Boston with our friends.
With the arrival of MB&F The First Fifteen Years, it's a rare opportunity to immerse oneself into the company and its creations in a comprehensive way. The catalogue raisonné, usually reserved for an artist’s corpus, is a fitting format given the burst creativity that MB&F has brought forth across dozens of timepieces and 20 in-house calibres. Writers Suzanne Wong and William Messena do not disappoint in their handling of the MB&F story. Less of a book review and more of a love letter, we wanted to cast a spotlight on some things that stood out in between the lines.
Read MoreAuction season is in full swing with Phillips The New York Watch Auction: Seven on December 10-11. This will be another great event for indies with the auction catalog marked by timepieces from Kudoke, F.P. Journe, De Bethune, MB&F, Andersen Genève. Amongst the lots, there is an exceptional unique piece from Urwerk – the UR-102 “ArtForTime.” Donated by the brand with proceeds going to the Swiss Institute to support contemporary art and artists, the reloaded UR-102 was created in collaboration with Cooper Jacoby.
Read MoreA four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking.
A four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking. We continue the EsperLuxe & Friends series in New York City with our friends and special guest Vianney Halter.
An unimaginable reality not long ago, the question is, how did time-only watches ascend to such heights that they regularly attain grail status amongst collectors? What factors drove the rise of “simple” timepieces to the top?
Read MoreIt’s that time of the year again – the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) is around the corner. An annual award ceremony for the luxury watchmaking industry, the event crowns the year’s best timepieces across 15 categories. With many independent watchmakers in the mix, we have had the privilege to handle some of the watches amongst the short-listed nominees.
Read MoreA four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking.
We continue the EsperLuxe & Friends series in Miami with our friends from NovelaWatch. Hosted by the gracious team at Car Barn Miami, we had the pleasure of sharing our love for independent watchmaking and showcasing a curated selection of timepieces.
Though this first attempt will be far from perfect, I’d like to flesh out the idea that not all finishing is created equal, and nor should it be. Haute finishing should exist as a concept alongside haute complications, primarily to act as guidance for collectors to see who is going above and beyond with their finishing work.
Read MoreA four part, four city collector series gathered around our love of boutique and independent watchmaking.
We kickstarted EsperLuxe & Friends in Chi Town where we had the pleasure of presenting on independent watchmaking and showcasing a curated selection of timepieces.
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