Louis Moinet was one of the greatest watchmakers ever and the inventor of the chronograph in 1816. Today, his spirit lives on thanks to Jean-Marie Schaller, who as founder and creative director of the Louis Moinet brand, revived the prestigious name of the inspirational master watchmaker. Louis Moinet is today an independent watch brand located in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland, specializing in the creation of high-end timepieces, often featuring exotic materials and innovative technology, underpinned by the philosophy of limited edition mechanical art.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting the HYT H2 Tradition. A Retro-Contemporary U-Turn in a 50-piece Limited Edition.
Contemporary classic or futuristic retro? As its name suggests, the new HYT H2 Tradition ref. 248-TW-10-BF-AB is a meeting of the two. It is the first HYT with classic guilloché finishes. It is the first HYT with delicate lacquered dials and blued hands. However, underneath this mantle of light, the H2 Tradition has both feet firmly in the 21st century. It retains its hydro-mechanical aesthetic, thanks to the capillary with the blue fluid moving forwards as the hours pass.
Insider: De Bethune DB25 Mexican Civilization Unique Piece. A Watch That Could Belong to an Aztec Mayan Museum Exhibit.
Inspired by the cues of the De Bethune DB25 Quetzalcoatl released last year, this unique piece made on commission by De Bethune for Berger Joyeros in Mexico City, is truly a gem in all the sense of the word. Featuring an 18K white gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter by 12.50 in thickness, the De Bethune Mexican Civilization Unique Piece brings the best in hand engraving with a strong mesoamerican twist.
Insider: Breguet Classique Complications 1907. Hands-on with a Million Dollar Pocket Watch.
At the end of last year, we were able to get our hands on the Breguet Classique Complications 1907 pocket watch worth one million U.S. dollars. This massive 18K yellow gold pocket watch regulator weighing almost three quarters of a pound —338.2 grams to be precise— and with a case diameter of 56.50 mm, is no joke. This is by far, one of the heaviest pocket watches we have ever reviewed and one that is definitely worth its price.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting the IWC Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 55 and Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48. Celebrating 75 Years of an Iconic Watch.
For 75 years, the historic Big Pilot’s Watch —52-calibre T.S.C.— was the largest wristwatch ever made at IWC in Schaffhausen. In preparation for the SIHH 2016, IWC Schaffhausen unveils its successor: with an amazing 55 mm case, the Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 55 eclipses a record that was set back in 1940. Like its big brother, the Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48 looks very much like the historic original, but makes a few more concessions to modern ideas of aesthetics and comfort.
Experience: Our Favorite 12 Timepieces Released in 2015. A Stellar Year for Horology Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year.
As we wrap up 2015, we would like to remember our favorite 12 watches released this year. As we look back at our live coverage at the SIHH 2015 all the way to the SIAR 2015 in Mexico City, this has been an exceptional year with tons of watches that took our breath away. While we have a much longer list, we feel that these 12 timepieces honor the 12 months of 2015 the best way possible.
Photo Gallery: Armin Strom Tourbillon Gravity Bicolor Unique Piece. A Perfect Color Combination.
This unique piece from Armin Strom, is inspired by the design of the Armin Strom Tourbillon Gravity Fire —full 18K rose gold piece— but fitted with a very unique case construction. With a middle case in 18K rose gold and a blackened PVD stainless steel case back and bezel, this unique piece comes in a perfect color combination and is a one off watch from the masters of skeletonization out of Bern.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Alarm Desk Clock. Simply Beautiful.
Today, we start a new section to talk about those little —and sometimes big— goodies we all love to receive from the watch brands. Watch paraphernalia is commonly received as part of an important watch purchase at a brand boutique or just as part of those little swag bags we all receive while attending a watch event.
Insider: Richard Mille RM35-01 Rafa Nadal. Hands-on with the $120,000 Entry Level Nadal Timepiece.
Unveiled some time ago, the Richard Mille RM35-01 Rafa Nadal is simply a stunner. The Richard Mille RM35-01 Rafa Nadal is considered by many, the entry level Nadal timepiece by Richard Mille considering its price point in the low $100Ks. This timepiece taking its cues from the RM 027 Nadal family of watches, is an incredibly strong and light watch thanks to the use of the black NTPT carbon for its case.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26320. Hands-on with One of Our Favorite Chronos Out There.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26320 we are reviewing here, is the latest iteration of the Royal Oak Chrono. Released for the first time as ref. 25860 in 39mm and then as ref. 26300 —reviewed by us here. The Royal Oak Chronograph is a model with more than ten different reference numbers and all of them are fitted with the same calibre 2385.
Photo Gallery: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad ref. 25940OK. Merry Christmas to all of You.
Another great year has gone by and we are already celebrating Christmas Eve today. In preparation for the SIHH 2016 taking place in less than a month, we bring you today some inspiring macro images of the discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad ref. 25940OK.OO.D002CA.02.
Insider: Zenith Montre d'Aeronef Pilot Type 20 Extra Special. The Best Execution of a Pilot's Watch for the Price.
The Zenith Montre d'Aéronef Pilot Type 20 Extra Special ref. 03.2430.3000/21.C738 was launched in 2014. Earlier this year, a new version was released in bronze and we reviewed it here. The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special in stainless steel features a robust 45 mm case with screwed-on lugs and a satin-brushed finish that contrasts against the mirror polished bezel and ratcheted onion-shaped crown typical of historical aviator watches — that ensures a perfect grip even with pilot’s gloves.
Holiday Gift Guide: Five of Our Favorite In-House Chronographs All Priced Under $15,000 USD.
Since this is the time of giving, we have chosen five of our favorite in-house chronographs for you to gift to that special someone in your life. Not only these five watches come from some of the best manufactures out there, but they are all reasonably priced under $15,000 USD. Furthermore, all of them are powered by in-house calibres with consistent reliable craftsmanship.
Insider: Armin Strom Tourbillon Earth. Hands-on with a Sporty Rugged Looking Tourbillon with One of the Finest Skeletonizations Out There.
This relatively young manufacture, was founded in 1967 by Armin Strom in a small town named Burgdorf located northwest of Bern. The Armin Strom Tourbillon Earth ref. ST13-TE.90 is perhaps one of our three favorite watches from this manufacture. This particular tourbillon is not only beautiful but also very stealth looking thanks to its black PVD stainless steel case. A watch that seems rugged by its looks —specially when sported on its black rubber strap— and size —43.4 mm in diameter by 13 mm in thickness— but with a delicate and perfectionist craftsmanship.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down Pink Gold. Hands-on with One of the Most Iconic Timepieces From Saxony.
For over ten years, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down has been the benchmark in chronographs since its launch. Its assets include the oversized date, the high-speed flyback switching mechanism for the chronograph and a patented, precisely-jumping minute counter. The Datograph Up/Down also features a power reserve indicator. Only available in 18K rose gold or platinum both with a black dial, the new Datograph —as it replaced the 39 mm model— is one of the most iconic Lange timepieces out there.
Insider: Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727. A High Frequency 10Hz Timepiece with Six Different Hand Guilloché Motifs on its Dial.
Today, we bring you our hands-on review of the Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727BR/12/9WU. This particular watch was awarded the Grand Prix 'Aiguille d'Or' at the GPHG in 2014. Additionally, this is one of the few Breguets featuring the new 10Hz high frequency escapement composed of a magnetic balance with double balance spring, lever and escape wheel in silicon. The Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 is a perfect example of Breguet's DNA in a timepiece that offers the basic time function with a 1/10th of a second subdial and power reserve indicator.
Experience: de Boulle. The Largest Patek Philippe Authorized Dealer in the South and Now Also with a Boutique in Houston.
If you live in Texas, the de Boulle name is no stranger to you. Located in the heart of the Park Cities in Dallas and with a newly opened boutique in the River Oaks District in Houston with a fascinating Patek Philippe salon —as we featured it here—, de Boulle is one of those authorized dealers worth paying a visit and talking about.
Insider: HYT H2 Aviator Unique Piece. Hands-on with a Hydro-Mechanical Timepiece for Aviation Lovers.
With an already imposing name, the HYT H2 Aviator ref. 248-DL-01-GF-KG is the first time HYT creates a timepiece destined for aviation lovers which each step of its concept designed to satisfy aeronautical codes. The H2 Aviator we have here, is a unique piece where the liquid is green instead of yellow as in the regular production H2 Aviator.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting the Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P. A Mechanical and Quartz Hybrid Timepiece.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its first in-house quartz movement, the famous ultra-thin 7P calibre presented in 1976, Piaget unveils the Emperador Coussin XL 700P. This new watch is an astonishing concept watch issued in a 118-piece limited edition.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting Five New Jaeger-LeCoultre Reversos with Sixteen References to Celebrate the 85th Anniversary of an Icon.
In preparation for the SIHH 2016 next month, Jaeger-LeCoultre has just unveiled five new Reverso watches with sixteen references, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the birth of this iconic watch first presented in 1931. This undisputed style icon elicits the same wonderment decade after decade.
