buffy acacia
One of the things that keeps mechanical watches relevant in the world of smartphones is the limitless ingenuity of human imagination. For every vintage-inspired dive watch, there’s a brand out there that’s creating something completely unique and exciting. Brands like MB&F, Jacob & Co., H. Moser & Cie., HYT, and Vianney Halter are constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be considered a watch, but how likely is it that the average watch fan can buy one? Or do you own one of these luxury watches? This is how microbrands use limited budgets and resources to spark imaginations and create amazing intricacies with just off-the-shelf movements. It’s a problem that can be solved.
DWISS M3W Wandering Hour
DWISS has been pushing boundaries for over a decade, and there’s little better way to demonstrate their aptitude for watchmaking than by releasing the Wandering Hour complication made from the humble Sellita SW200. there is no. You can already tell from the futuristic case design, which features a strangely angular bezel and rough chamfers near the integrated bracelet, that something special is going on. The revised movement maintains a beat rate of 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 38 hours, but now displays the time using a series of rotating discs that work in conjunction with a minute track at the top of the skeleton dial. It has become. Although all variants of the DWISS M3W Wandering Hour sold out quickly when it first launched, used copies can still be found for around $2,000 USD.
mr jones number cruncher
Mr. Jones may not be a brand that takes itself too seriously, but its approach to watchmaking is as original as any of the big luxury brands. Featuring a Godzilla-esque cartoon creature by artist Honorio Depiro, the monster can be seen happily wandering through London and eating up time. The jump time display is between the fingers ready to jump into the jaws of death, and the minutes can be seen on the X-ray display on the abdomen. It also features Seagull’s mechanical TY2709 movement, which offers a beat rate of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 42 hours. The case diameter is 37mm, the lug-to-lug width is 46.9mm, and the thickness is 10.8mm, making it perfectly comfortable for both genders. Best of all, these highly creative watches from Mr. Jones are always affordable, with this example priced at £295 (approximately $375 USD).
Ione Bradley
Eone’s Bradley watch was launched upon its launch, as it not only reinvented the way watch enthusiasts interact with their watches, but also introduced a practical watch option for the blind and visually impaired. It instantly caused a sensation. Previous attempts at loudspeaker-based and tactile clocks were too inconvenient or fragile for everyday use, so founder Kim Hyun-soo set out to develop a clock that was not just a novelty, but accessible to everyone. did. The Bradley uses a regular Swiss Ronda quartz movement to drive two magnetized ball bearings around separate tracks. One around the case for the hour hand and one around the dial for the minutes. The hour markers are raised batons with elongated quarters and a triangle at 12 o’clock and can be read purely by touch. There are plenty of style and color options, and prices start at $260 USD. The latest version is the Switch Sunflower, which comes with an optional, absolutely gorgeous guilloché outer ring.
Vario Versa
Vario Versa is a perfect example of the creativity that microbrands offer while being sophisticated and practical. It uses two ultra-thin quartz movements that can be set independently, allowing you to track multiple time zones when you want to flip the case. This is a great example of the KISS rule (keep it simple, keep it stupid). Because actual two-way movement causes far more problems than it’s worth. The dual dial reveals a gorgeous, colorful dial during the day and switches to a quiet, sophisticated monochrome dial at night. The reverse is also possible. The 26mm x 39mm rectangular case is versatile for both genders and comes at an affordable price of US$428, which is much more affordable than Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso or Cartier’s Tank Basculante.
Reservoir hydrosphere air meter
Looking at the dial of the Reservoir Hydrosphere Air Gauge, it would be hard to be convinced that the core of the movement is actually a standard ETA 2824 automatic movement. Reservoir has created a patented module consisting of 124 parts that transforms the display into a jump hour dial with retrograde minutes and power reserve while maintaining the use of a rotating dive bezel. It’s very easy to read the time thanks to the one-handed display, but unlike other mechanical watches, you can also monitor your oxygen supply. The bold 45mm case is equipped with a helium escape valve and can reach depths of up to 250m, which is sufficient for regular diving. However, the number of custom parts is reflected in the price, which comes to USD 5,280 including VAT.
angle chain of time
Telling the time using chain-driven hands around an oval dial may sound like a monkey using a typewriter, but the innovative dial mechanism is oddly satisfying. There is. You can really feel the love that Angles has for industrial and mechanical aesthetics, and Angles Chain of Time is sure to find its own niche among cyclists as well. The 24-hour dial may take some getting used to, but the simple Arabic numerals placed around the oval dial section should reduce any potential complexity. The minute hand stays at the bottom of the dial connected to the lower gear, while the hour hand runs across the dial attached to the chain itself. The movement is again based on the standard Sellita SW200 and has a suggested retail price of $3,690.
