Entries by Joshua Munchow

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Ultra-Thin Grande Complication Chronograph: Conquering Childhood Fears

The Ultra-Thin Grande Complication Chronograph is part of the new Harmony line that Vacheron Constantin launched at the 2015 SIHH in Geneva in honor of its 260th anniversary. As the crown jewel of the collection, the Grande Complication Chronograph shows some serious style, mad mechanics, and a feature that brings back oh-so-many memories of standing in fear while friends have a blast at the carnival. And that has made this a new favorite for me.

Precession Obsession: Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Sphérotourbillon Moon

While we see Polaris as the North Star for now, our descendents 20 generations down the road from now will not. This is due to an astronomical process called precession. There is something that mimics precession that you can wear on your wrist and pass on to those descendents: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Sphérotourbillon Moon, the most recent addition to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s already stacked Duomètre collection.

Time For Adventure: Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II

Adventure and exploration happen every day and everywhere; there just happen to be explorers who make a little more noise about their exploits. And for that reason we know some of them by name – like Christopher Columbus.
Released this year, the Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II outfitted with a gimbaled zero-gravity escapement and chain and fusée continues that path in a grand manner.

Le Garde Temps Project With Greubel Forsey And Philippe Dufour: Where It’s At And Where To Next

The Le Garde Temps, Naissance d’une Montre project separates true lovers of watchmaking from the chaff: there is no big brand name on the dial, celebrity ambassadors, or expensive marketing campaign. It is pure watchmaking for it’s own sake to perpetuate traditional crafts and skills. There is, right now, in this universe, a watch that features the names Greubel Forsey and Philippe Dufour on its dial.

Here I Go Again: Speake-Marin Jumping Hours

Here I get the chance to talk about something that our readers probably know I love all too well: a jump hour watch. But not just any jump hour watch, this time it’s the four-handed Speake-Marin Jumping Hours, a piece unique. I was extremely excited, not to mention anxious, to get my hands on this piece, but the wait was worth it.

Opera And Manufacture Royale: Performance Art At The Highest Level

Manufacture Royale’s most controversial, and undoubtedly most incredible, piece is the highly complicated Opera, which features a minute repeater, tourbillon, and, most anachronistically, a hinged telescoping case. Basically, it’s big, it’s bold, and it rocks. And like the opera (theater), the Opera (watch) is not for everybody. But those that like it love it. I love it.

Everything Is Possible: De Bethune DB28 GS

Science fiction asks that you remember those that tell you “it can’t be done” are right . . . if you believe them. Never believe them. The watch I want to focus on today is from a brand that always brings its A-game. This brand is a science-fictionalist. This brand is De Bethune. And the watch we’re talking about here is the DB28 GS.

Magic Or Science? Revelation R01 Double Complication Tourbillon And Its Now-You-See-It-Now-You-Don’t Dial

We now live in an age of technology that is very advanced – and getting more advanced every day. One incredible example of modern technology that could have been mistaken for magic in olden times is the nanometric optical disc of Revelation watches. These dials mechanically change from transparent to completely opaque with a twist of the bezel. My personal favorite is the R01 Double Complication Tourbillon.

The HYT Skull: Fad, Trend, Style, Or Movement?

In the world of passing fads and trends, many enter but few succeed. One trend that has been moving across the watch industry for a while is skull-related timepieces. And for me, the most on point and understandable skull watch can be none other than the HYT Skull. It stands out as a perfect synthesis of what the brand is about, what the brand’s customer will enjoy, and what is cool about skulls on watches in the first place.