Thomas Brechtel’s Top 12 Highlights from Watches & Wonders 2025
Given the glum global economic news, Thomas Brechtel wasn’t expecting much from W&W 2025.
However, he was wrong as these watches and clock illustrate.
Entries by Thomas Brechtel
Presenting the Black Tulip by Annelinde Dunselman: New Independent Watchmaker, New Watch
“Making my own watch is a bit like flying like an eagle high in the sky, seeing everything hearing everything and going where I want.”
30th Anniversary Editions from A. Lange & Söhne: Lange 1 with Black Onyx Dial in Platinum and Lange 1 with Blue Dial in Pink Gold, both in Two Very Wearable Sizes
A. Lange & Söhne celebrates the birthday of a legendary watch, the watchmaking flagship of our time: the Lange 1 collection featuring outsize date, asymmetrical dial, and an outstandingly finished mechanical movement is now extended with four new limited edition models.
My Highlights of Watches & Wonders and Geneva 2024: There were Many!
After each visit to Geneva, Thomas Brechtel adds a few micromechanical, handcrafted works of art to his personal long-term archive because they stand out. Fere are a few favorites from 2024.
Friendship and Watches: Chick-Lip!, a 23-Piece Limited Edition of Customized Vintage LIP watches as a gift for Friends
The 23 vintage LIP watches in this article are not for sale: they were made for friends and are based on wristwatches from the late 40s and early 50s from the LIP brand. Thomas Brechtel shares this story of passion.
Vanessa Lecci’s Colorfully ‘Insane’ Pendule Neuchâteloise clocks
While tastes and fashions are constantly changing and continuously evolving in the field of mechanical wristwatches, they seem to be at a standstill in the field of table clocks and wall clocks. Master enameler Vanessa Lecci hopes to change that with her modern take on Pendules Neuchâteloises clocks.
Book Review. “Hands of Time: A Watchmaker´s History of Time” by Rebecca Struthers
Rebecca Struthers: “Hands of Time. A Watchmaker´s History of Time” is a journey through history, a comprehensive compendium, a rich historical reference book about time, clocks, movements, craft, material, significant inventions, and the people who made them.
In Praise Of Clocks As Both A Precision Instrument And A Roommate: Highlighting Naeschke Clocks From Germany
Clocks come in all shapes and sizes: table clocks, wall clocks, desk clocks, pendulum clocks, longcase clocks, and marine chronometers. Here Thomas Brechtel makes the case for why you should consider a clock and highlights the work of Naesche clocks.
Visiting Torsti Laine, Independent Finnish Watchmaker In Switzerland, And His Festival Of Color – Reprise
Finnish independent watchmaker Torsti Laine’s timepieces feature strong individualization, bespoke designs, “dream color” dials, movements, colors, guilloché, lovely hands, and applied numerals – especially Breguet style – in any shape or language. Avid Quill & Pad reader Thomas Brechtel visited Laine in his workshop in Le Locle, Switzerland, and shares what he learned there with us right here.
Why I Bought Them: Custom Aventurine-Dial And Blue Enamel-Dial Watches From Lundis Bleus
The Lundis Bleus arts and crafts are a very special aspect of watchmaking. It is not so much about the mechanical side – escapements, micro rotors, gearwheels, and gold chatons – but more the artistic and aesthetic (dial) side of independent watchmaking. Is this why Thomas Brechtel chose to buy two custom-made watches from the boutique brand?