Alchemists Cu29: A Great Watch Overshadowed By Woo?

Alchemists Cu29 launched at Baselworld 2019 with a watch boasting some incredible details and a unique case material, but also pushing some questionable claims. Joshua Munchow digs into the new watch to find the truth of the matter.

Rexhep Rexhepi Chronometer by Akrivia

Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain: A Fork In The Road, A Pivot, Or Something Else Entirely? – Reprise

At Baselworld 2018 young boutique brand Akrivia launched its Chronomètre Contemporain, the very first timepiece in the Rexhep Rexhepi Collection. To say that Joshua Munchow is impressed is an understatement, there is more to it: this watch represents a new, diverged direction for the independent watchmaker.

What We Liked And What We Didn’t Like At The 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Plus How Well Our Panel’s Forecasts Did And Video Of The Highlights

Year after year the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève continues to prove its relevance in the world of watches, and this year is no different. One of the conclusions reached during our discussions of the pre-selected watches is that whichever watch won in the respective categories, none of them would be “unworthy” of the prize. So what took home the big prizes at the 2019 event?

Day and night: two unique Kari Voutilainen chronographs

Behind The Lens: Two Unique Masterpiece II Chronographs From Kari Voutilainen – Reprise

A generous friend recently offered GaryG the opportunity to shoot his white gold Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II so that Gary is able to share delightful photos of both his custom pink gold Chronograph II in comparison with his friend’s custom white gold version.

MB&F Arachnophobia at SalonQP

Halloween Heartbeat: MB&F Arachnophobia – Reprise

Halloween, a word contracted from “All Hallow’s Eve,” is a predominately American celebration whose traditions come from late nineteenth-century Celtic origins. And along comes a modern mechanical time-telling spider in celebration, the MB&F Arachnophobia – a realistic-looking arachnid made of metal and other materials traditionally used in watchmaking. Look upon it if you dare!

Fiona Krüger Vanitas Color

Fiona Krüger Vanitas: A Skull Clock That Yawns To Indicate Becoming Tired And Needing More Energy – Reprise

The skull is one of art history’s most referenced objects thanks to its powerful ability to instantly remind us that we are only flesh and bone. Fiona Krüger, specializing in skulls, partnered with L’Epée 1839 to produce Vanitas, a skull-shaped clock based on her Skull Collection with an unexpected function: it yawns as its movement tires.

Singer Reimagined Track 1 on the wrist

Track 1 By Singer Reimagined Is The World’s Most Advanced ‘Flat 6’ Chronograph: It Might Not Sound Like An Air-Cooled 911, But It Sure Laps Like One! – Reprise

It’s a rare event when the stars align, rarer still when they align to create what may well become a truly iconic chronograph. In fact, the Singer Reimagined Track 1 may already be truly iconic: it certainly has both the pedigree and the style. And more importantly for a horological icon, the Track 1 looks like it’s been around since the 1970s.

The “big three” recent additions to the author’s collection

Selling Watches To Buy Watches: One Collector’s Story – Reprise

Wouldn’t it be splendid to have everything your heart desired? Well, it’s a nice fantasy but it’s not going to happen to any of us, including GaryG. And, besides, he is not so sure that the experience of “selling to buy” isn’t actually a significant part, albeit a bittersweet one, of the collecting experience.

The Time Bandit concept for the Opus 5 had a slot machine type indications. The time would display after pulling the handle and the rollers stopped spinning around

The Urwerk Opus 5 For Harry Winston That Almost Was – Reprise

The Opus 5 by Felix Baumgartner/Urwerk for Harry Winston is one of the best of this series of exceptional timepieces. But, as this drawing by Urwerk designer Martin Frei from June of 2003 shows, one of the original ideas behind Urwerk’s Opus 5 was a digital display in a model christened with the working title “Time Bandit.” Check out this superb almost-was timepiece!

A "family" of Philippe Dufour timpieces.

Why Philippe Dufour Matters. And It’s Not A Secret – Reprise

“I have no secrets as past watchmakers had. There are graveyards full of secrets and that’s enough.” – Philippe Dufour, 2014