Behind the Lens: Unique Reference 28 Inverse by Kari Voutilainen

GaryG won’t soon forget the pre-opening independents party at Baselworld in 2019 where Kari Voutilainen wasted no time in showing him and a few friends a breathtaking timepiece: his 28ti, number 0, in titanium. Gary shares what happened next here and how it resulted in him photographing this unique piece.

Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Split-Seconds Chronograph: Best Chronograph at the 2023 GPHG

Independent brand Petermann Bédat launched its second timepiece, the Reference 2941 Split-Seconds Chronograph in 2023 and it took that years GPHG prize for best chronograph. Joshua Munchow takes a deep dive into what makes it so special.

Ludovic Ballouard Upside Down and F.P. Journe Vagabondage I Reviewed by Tim Mosso

If you dare to compare, make it apples to apples. Ludovic Ballouard (Brittany) and François-Paul Journe (Marseille) both hail from France. Most pertinent to this comparison though is that both men designed quirky jumping-hour watches.

Why I Bought It: Hajime Asaoka Tsunami

This is the story of a daily-wear watch, the Tsunami by Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka. It’s not a “beater” as it’s too beautifully made for that description, and some folks justifiably take offense at characterizing a five-figure expenditure in those terms. But it is a watch that GaryG suspects that he will be wearing a lot and in a variety of settings.

10 Highlights from Watches and Wonders Week 2024

Watches and Wonders 2024, has closed it’s doors on an exhibition that was bigger than ever with a record 54 exhibiting brands. Plus, there were many brands exhibiting offsite in hotels and their own premises. here are a few of Ian Skellern’s highlights from Watches and Wonders week 2024

Fleming Series 1: A Superb New ‘Six-Eater’

The world is again another watch brand richer, as recently, US-based but Swiss-made brand Fleming launched its first collection.

Why I Bought It: Konstantin Chaykin Joker

When GaryG encountered Konstantin Chaykin’s Joker, whose “face” is literally just that with two googly eyes showing the hours and minutes with their respective pupils and a lolling red tongue displaying the phase of the moon, he was transfixed. And moments later he placed an order. Find out why right here!,

Felipe Pikullik: One of the New Generation of Independents Specializing in Superlative Hand Finishing and Hand Made Watches

Felipe Pikullik’s watches are characterized by their fine decorative finishing, but as Alexey Kutkovoy discovers, he has ambitious plans to go much much further down the hand made path.

Äonic Automat: A New German Brand Makes an Impressive Debut

While the Äonic Automat is a jump hour, it jumps in an interesting way and the case design is very innovative.

Chronomètre Artisans Subscription Edition by Simon Brette: Sensational, Superlative, and Simply Sublime Independent Watchmaking

Simon Brette is a young movement designer with a history of working with Jean-François Mojon’s Chronode, MCT, and MB&F, who has now begun his own adventure of pushing the boundaries of traditional haute horlogerie. Brette launches his eponymous brand with the Chronomètre Artisans Subscription Edition, which sold out long before launch.