Impartial watchmaking, a class outlined by low-production, artisanal-like firms the place the soul of the creator could be deeply felt within the watches, is one in every of MONOCHROME’s most essential (and favorite) matters. This phase of the business has all the time been a spotlight for us, and we’re dedicated to selling the work of those small firms… as a result of that is the place ardour, innovation and creativity lie. Persevering with our alternatives of the Greatest Watches of the Yr, it’s time to take a look at the 5 Greatest Indie Watches of 2023 chosen by the MONOCHROME editorial workforce.
Haute-Rive Honoris 1000-hour energy reserve
A tourbillon watch with 1,000 hours of energy reserve on one mainspring… No, there’s no typo in that sentence. We’re speaking a couple of 41-day energy reserve in a single barrel in a watch barely bigger than a Datejust. This watch, the Haute-Rive Honoris, is the results of the imaginative and prescient of Stéphane Von Gunten, a watchmaker with an extended observe document within the business. The motion itself is a masterpiece of miniaturization, with the barrel drum – which is almost as giant because the motion – machined straight into the mainplate. To not point out the 3-metre-long mainspring. All different elements needed to be positioned on the dial facet, together with the floating tourbillon and kit practice. Visually, the bezel sample may very well be refined a bit, however it’s dictated by technical issues as a result of the bezel winds the motion. The ending is superb, the dial is white enamel, and this watch, the model’s first, makes us interested by what’s coming subsequent.
For extra particulars concerning the Haute-Rive Honoris, please seek the advice of our hands-on article right here.
Herve Schluchter L’Essentiel
Just like the earlier mannequin, L’Essentiel is the primary watch from a proficient watchmaker. Properly, the primary solo watch of Hervé Schlüchter, who isn’t new to the business. It’s the first opus of a trilogy named Tree of Life, and it combines spectacular expertise and a extremely private imaginative and prescient of watchmaking. The quite busy however impressively embellished dial is what Schlüchter calls a philosophical regulator, the place the hours are displayed by an aventurine 24-hour rotating disc with evening and day indications. The again is a feast, with elegant structure graced by distinctive finishes and delightful particulars. This motion in German silver is completed in a extremely conventional manner and recollects classic pocket watch calibres. The ornament is beautiful…
For extra particulars concerning the Hervé Schlüchter L’Essentiel, please seek the advice of our in-depth article right here.
Louis Vuitton x Akrivia LVRR-01 Chronographe a Sonnerie
A really stunning watch, it represents a conflict of cultures between indie watchmaking and mainstream luxurious. Or so we’d have thought. The Louis Vuitton x Akrivia deserves its place right here, as there’s way more of Rexhep Rexhepi on this watch than LVMH advertising. Regardless of the title, it’s been conceived and manufactured by hand with an artisan-like mindset. And the visually hanging consequence can also be backed by beautiful mechanics. Inside its Hagmann double-sided case is an unprecedented motion created by Akrivia, combining a 5-minute tourbillon, a chronograph and a sonnerie mechanism chiming elapsed occasions. This collaboration is the primary of its variety. Fortunately, there will likely be extra coming from LV, exhibiting the love and respect Jean Arnault has for unbiased watchmaking.
For extra particulars concerning the Louis Vuitton x Akrivia LVRR-01 Chronographe à Sonnerie, please seek the advice of our introducing article right here.
Petermann Bedat Break up-Seconds Chronograph 2941
The duo has achieved it once more… Following a extremely acclaimed inaugural mannequin, the Useless-Beat Seconds Calibre 171, earlier this yr, Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat unveiled their second opus, a splendid, conventional tackle the rattrapante chronograph. This Break up-Seconds Chronograph reference 2941 depends on a hand-wound motion with a column wheel and horizontal clutch. The again reveals an distinctive mixture of modernity and custom, with impeccable ornament of all of the elements. The watch is available in a sublime case of solely 38.6mm with a up to date semi-openworked dial. Solely two watches thus far, and they’re already making a whole lot of noise.
For extra particulars concerning the Petermann Bedat Break up-Seconds Chronograph 2941, please seek the advice of our hands-on article right here.
Simon Brette Chronometre Artisans
Final however actually not least, now we have one other watch that’s the first to be launched by a watchmaker flying solo… And whereas it is perhaps primary, it has made fairly an impression. With a profession at Chronode and MB&F, Simon Brette presents a shocking tackle the time-only chronometer. Whereas the complication is perhaps “easy”, the watch has unimaginable horological depth, utilizing a standard development with two barrels in parallel, a 3/4 plate and a big steadiness wheel beating at a sluggish frequency. It’s the extent of element on all sides of the watch and motion that impresses, with distinctive ending – take a look at the bowl-shaped screws or the wolf enamel on the wheels, and also you’ll perceive. As soon as once more, we’re trying ahead to his subsequent steps.
For extra particulars concerning the Simon Brette Chronomètre Artisans, please seek the advice of our hands-on article right here.
