Max Büsser and the MB&F team now debut the fifth edition in the M.A.D.Editions story right in time for Geneva Watch Days, continuing to craft more accessible timepieces that nod to the thrill of the mechanical art universe. The new M.A.D.Editions M.A.D.1S. is a slimmer watch with a single time indication cylinder and powered by a Swiss-made movement.
News: Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2024. The 27th Edition of Europe's Highest Altitude Polo Tournament.
Under the official timekeeping of Hublot, the 27th edition of Europe's highest altitude polo tournament was held from August 23rd through the 25th at one of the Bernese Alps’ most prestigious resorts in Gstaad. Players and horses went head-to-head against a dramatic backdrop of Swiss mountains. Amid the majestic, snow-capped Alpine peaks lies a verdant valley, nestled at an altitude of 1,000 meters, through which a lively river runs.
Introducing: L’Epée 1839 T35 Clock. Celebrating the Clockmaker's 185th Anniversary.
To mark its 185th anniversary of continuous existence, L’Epée 1839 presents the T35, a testament to its strong in-house horological knowledge, innovative engineering, and creative designs. Drawing inspiration from iconic 1920s and 1930s race cars, the T35 pays homage to a legendary racing machine that is perhaps considered the greatest race car of all time and one of the most famous and influential racers in automotive history.
Introducing: Louis Erard X The Horophile La Petite Seconde Metropolis
A year after unveiling their collaborative art deco-inspired capsule collection, Louis Erard and The Horophile return with a fourth rendition of La Petite Seconde Metropolis, this time with a sleek green dial that looks to the future rather than the past. Originally conceived as an alternative to the archetypal three-hand watch, La Petite Seconde Metropolis takes a page from New York-style Art Deco design of the 1920s, revisited in a resolutely contemporary spirit.
Introducing: Urwerk EMC SR-71. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary with a 10-piece Limited Edition.
To celebrate its decade in style, Urwerk’s EMC —for Electronic Mechanical Control watch— has been reinvented clad in the fuselage of the legendary SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft. Released in a limited edition of only 10 pieces, the EMC is a mechanical watch whose concept and movement were envisioned, developed, and created by Urwerk in 2014.
Insider: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Gem-Set Bezel ref. 126579RBR. A Mother-of-Pearl Exquisite Timepiece.
Earlier this year, Rolex presented two new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18K white gold whose dials contrast white and black natural mother-of-pearl and a bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds. One of the new models is equipped with an Oysterflex strap under reference 126589RBR, while the other one —which we have here— is equipped with a matching Oyster bracelet in 18K white gold under reference 126579RBR.
Experience: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Schiphol Airport Edition and a AP Royal Oak Extra-Thin 15202OR
Landing at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is always a treat if you like the finer things in life as much as we do. After a long-haul flight on KLM's World Business Class, the perfect way to start your day on the other side of the pond is by enjoying all that this airport has to offer. Schiphol is without a doubt, one of our favorite airports in the world and one that truly offers a great experience if you enjoy the good life.
Insider: Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton Steel and Platinum. A Remarkable Example of Skeletonization.
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton Steel and Platinum ref. PFC912-1020001-100182-EN is a remarkable example of skeletonization. This watch is the epitome of pure skeletonization with its minimalistic design and an ALD —Atomic layer deposition— graphite movement. The dial or ‘lack thereof’ is beautifully skeletonized with a vertical satin-brushed finish along what’s left of the main plate. Applied 18K rose gold indexes mark the hours along with its skeletonized delta hands.
Introducing: Franck Muller X S.T. Dupont Master Lighter. Combining a Watch with a Lighter for the Very First Time.
S.T. Dupont has partnered with renowned Swiss watchmaker, Franck Muller, to create a first-of-its-kind lighter that reveals a double-sided skeleton watch. Named the Master Lighter, this technical achievement took over two years to develop with the skilled artisans at both maisons working closely together on the cutting edge micromechanics. It truly reflects an elite level of craftsmanship that has been developed over generations at S.T. Dupont and Franck Muller.
Introducing: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols Limited Editions
Vacheron Constantin presents a series of four limited edition watches, created in close collaboration with the Former Associate Research Librarian of the Palace Museum housed in Beijing's Forbidden City. A cultural tribute with the representation of the ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif, a decorative symbol specific to the imperial court of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The creative expression of the Maison’s profound attachment to the world of artistic crafts and culture through its master artisans.
Rare Bird: Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica à Grand Sonnerie
Jaeger-LeCoutlre is better known as the ‘Watchmaker of Watchmakers’ and we’ve seen some impressive timepieces from them in the past including the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel we perused in 2019. The JLC Hybris Mechanica à Grand Sonnerie was first presented in 2009 in a limited edition of 30 pieces. Combining a striking mechanism with a Westminster chime, a flying tourbillon, and a retrograde perpetual calendar, this watch is a feat of horology of the highest order. Honored to be able to bring you these images and our thoughts on it.
Insider: De Bethune DB Digitale Evergreen. One of Our Favorite Limited Editions.
De Bethune presented the DB Digitale —aka DBD— Evergreen Limited Edition on the first day of Dubai Watch Week 2023 instantly becoming a Middle Eastern icon thanks to its rich hue of green, drawing its inspiration from the profound symbolism of the color green in the extensive history and culture of the Middle East. Presented in a limited edition of only 20 pieces, the DBD Evergreen is one of our favorite editions from De Bethune.
Insider: Chopard L.U.C Qualité Fleurier. Sector Dials are Making a Comeback.
Chopard reaffirms its commitment to the values of Haute Horlogerie promoted by the Fleurier Quality Foundation with a new timepiece certified following the specifications of this independent institution, known as the most demanding in its field. This L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model is the first watch to be awarded this label since Chopard became the sole custodian of the Foundation in 2022. It is also the first in the L.U.C Qualité Fleurier family to be crafted in Lucent Steel –Chopard's alloy featuring exclusive properties and produced with a recycling rate of at least 80%.
Experience: Explaining The Art of Sabrage. The Finest Champagne Ritual.
Whether it’s a special afternoon ritual at one of the St. Regis hotels, Napoleon’s way to celebrate a victory on the battlefield, or simply the coolest way to open a bottle of champagne, that’s exactly what the art of sabrage is about. Sabrage refers to the act of opening a bottle of champagne by sliding a saber over its neck. Now, while many believe that the saber slices the neck of the bottle or pushes the cork out, what in reality happens is that the slight impact of the saber on the seam of the bottle creates a chain reaction that makes the bottle release its pressure by breaking its top cork included.
Insider: IWC Portugieser Automatic 42. Five Dials and Three Metals to Please Everyone's Taste.
The IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 ref. IW501705 is the latest in one of the most renowned collections from IWC. Fully revamped with a 42.4 mm case this new watch is available in stainless steel, 18K 5N gold, or 18K white gold with five different dial iterations including Silver, Sparkling Beige, Blue, and Horizon Blue —for 18K white gold model only— and Obsidian Black —for 18K 5N Gold. This is a sophisticated timepiece that showcases exquisite craftsmanship and technical prowess featuring a running seconds indicator at 9 o’clock, a 7-day power reserve at 3 o’clock, and a date aperture at 6 o’clock.
Introducing: Reservoir Sonomaster Chronograph Vintage Bi-Retrograde Black Beige
The Reservoir Sonomaster collection takes its inspiration from measuring instruments widely used in the world of sound or Hi-Fi. The new Reservoir Sonomaster Chronograph Vintage Bi-Retrograde Black and Beige features two retrograde hands that faithfully reproduce the hands of power measurements or VU meters from analog vintage stereo amplifiers. A tribute to the human quest for a ‘pure’ sound, a musical exploration full of audacity and intensity.
Introducing: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Full Red Gold
Blancpain presents the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet and Chronographe Flyback models in full Red Gold. Featuring a 43 mm case and bracelet meticulously crafted from 18K red gold, these striking timepieces with a sunray dark blue dial exude opulence and grandeur, making a bold statement with their rich hue and imposing presence. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms made its debut in 1953 as the first true diver’s watch, designed as a tool for professional divers.
Rare Bird: Vacheron Constantin Kalla Lord ref. 35711. A Rarity with 316 Diamonds Totaling 55 Carats.
Perhaps one of the rarest birds we’ve run in the past decade is the Vacheron Constantin Kalla Lord ref. 35711 timepiece which features no less than 316 emerald-cut diamonds, including 26 set into the dial. All gemstones have been carefully matched for uniform clarity, color, and cut. Totaling 55 carats in all and forming 8,216 gleaming facets, they are mounted on 140 grams of solid 18K white gold. The watch crystal is made of corundum, the hardest natural substance after diamond, and an iconic watch from the early 1980s.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Sunburst Green. The Hottest Watch of 2024.
This year Vacheron Constantin decided to do a first in the Overseas collection and added an 18K pink gold case sunburst green dial Overseas Dual Time to the lineup. This hands-on review will tell you everything you need to know about this new watch after enjoying the watch outside of the watch show and in natural light. Without a doubt, this is the hottest watch release of 2024, and its refined look is unparalleled.
Introducing: MB&F The Minimilians. A Small Token of Gratitude to The Tribe.
Introducing MB&F The Milimilians a bunch of collectible, alien-like creatures with heads modeled after our Horological and Legacy Machines. There’s Minimilian Frog with its pop-out eyes, Minimilian Thunderbolt with those aviation vibes, and Minimilian Aquapod with its chubby round face. Since kicking off in 2005, MB&F has rolled out over 20 different calibres in about 30 distinct case shapes, and now each one has its matching figurine. And yes, their name is a nod to a well-known member of the MB&F team.
