Results for Bauhaus (Watch Design)

Thirty Days with the Christopher Ward C12 Loco

‘Micro-brand’ watches are rarely about finishing or movement design. The business model employed by this segment of the industry typically involves off-the-shelf movements combined with made-to-order cases and dials; this is how Christopher Ward (CW) got started. But having merged with its movement supplier a decade ago, the brand has become more ambitious, first with the striking Bel Canto and again with the C12 Loco, which reimagines the Valjoux cal. 7750 as a budget-priced mechanical sculpture inside a sporty steel case. Architectural watchmaking is not new, but it is new at the price point targeted by CW, which recently moved into larger premises in Maidenhead about 30 minutes west of London. Having spent a month with the Loco, it’s worth looking at what they did, and how. Initial thoughts I find architectural watchmaking inherently appealing, and appreciate it when watchmakers and designers work in tandem to elevate mechanical components into miniature works of art. It can come across as gimmicky, but when done well it results in an enthralling and educational wearing experience. Given the steep development costs, this type watchmaking has long been the exclusive domain of high end brands like MB&F; and Ulysse Nardin. But CW has been moving in this direction since the launch of the Bel Canto, and the Loco, despite its relative simplicity, is a worthy follow-up to its striking sibling. Sitting within the Twelve collection, CW’s take on the integrated bracelet sp...

Unimatic Introduces the New Prodiver Collection

While minimalism may be as trendy as ever these days (one look at any modern car interior will tell you that) a lot of brands miss the mark when it comes to balancing that aesthetic with function, or the lack thereof. Not so with Unimatic’s all-new Prodiver line, which promises both a streamlined design language and robust mechanical functionality. But do the watches actually pull it off? Let’s take a deeper dive and find out. Perhaps the biggest factor in Unimatic’s favor here is the Italian brand’s penchant for design cohesiveness across their lineup. Even before taking the new Prodiver into consideration, Unimatic watches share aesthetic hallmarks, namely chunky, round indexes, sans serif typefaces, and symmetrical dial balance. Even models that deviate from this norm, like the UT1 and UT4, which feature hour numerals instead, carry a uniformly round and hardy profile, which gives each Unimatic watch friendly-yet-tough dimensions. This is all personal conjecture, of course, but rarely does a brand manage to maintain consistency in design across their entire lineup quite as well as Unimatic does.  Back to the Prodiver, though; like most other watches by the brand, it also bears the signature round indexes, though it adds some legitimate dive watch pedigree, too. Each of the three new Modello Uno models sports a democratically-sized case, measuring at 40mm in diameter and 49mm lug to lug. The case thickness is a healthy 14.4mm with the domed sapphire crystal, and...

New: Swatch Mission to Earthphase – Moonshine Gold

Swatch's laterst release: the Mission to Earthphase in Moonshine gold, and now with a blue bloceramic case and blue NATO strap.

Exploring Mid-Level Independent Brands: a Collector’s Perspective

I recently read Zach’s article on “Micro Indies,” in which he explains how small independent brands are challenging the bigger watch companies in terms of design and innovation, and yet offering watches in the $3,000 – $5,000 price range. This made me think about another category of brand that does not fall squarely into the “Micro Indies” bucket, but is a level above in terms of watchmaking and challenges the higher-end independent brands. I could not clearly decide on how to label this category – it is not accurate to call them “affordable independents” since they are not that affordable, therefore I landed on referring to them as “mid-level independents” or MLI for short.  How do I define the MLI category? These are brands that fall in the $5,000 – $15,000 price range and offer a combination of various aspects of high horology – from in-house movements, dials, and finishing, to complications often seen in the higher spectrum of independents. Even though I selected this price range where the majority of the watches fall, there are outliers based on precious metals and complications, that can go well over $15,000, and sometimes into the six figures. I selected three very different brands to highlight in this category since their specialties cover different aspects of watchmaking: D. Dornblüth & Sohn, Laine, and Sartory-Billard. I will go into details on how each of these brands has their own niche in watchmaking, and how their strategy differs ...

Swatch Unveils Mission To Earthphase – Moonshine Gold

6 alternatives to the Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms

While the Swatch x Blancpain collab opened the door for many to the world of dive watches, what are others in a similar price range? The post 6 alternatives to the Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Business News: What Richemont And Swatch Group’s Financial Results Say About The State Of The Swiss Watch Industry

Watchmakers are suffering from weak demand and sales, particularly in China, but there are signs of surprising strength and potential stabilization.

Introducing – The Bell & Ross BR-05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic

Go stealth or go home… That could be the catchphrase for the latest Bell & Ross release. Full black, full ceramic, fully monochromatic and yet, the stealth watch that doesn’t go unnoticed. The latest member of the BR-05 family of sports watches with integrated bracelets, and specifically of the Skeleton sub-range – already available in […]

Dispatch: Scenes From The Swatch Museum

A look inside the plastic treasure trove.

Lookbook: Brew Metric Lite is Finessed Form, Function, and Fun… All In One

In the world of watches, simplicity is frequently overlooked. But the new Brew Metric Lite is proof that petite doesn’t have to mean pared-down. With clean lines, charming proportions, and an unapologetically unisex design, it hits that rare balance of effortless style and everyday wearability. It’s not a trophy watch, it’s a companion-to coffee dates, late nights, and everything in between. The Metric Lite reimagines Brew’s signature style as something more universal-stripped back, but still unmistakably “Brew.” It’s an automatic three-hander with no gimmicks, just good design. The case is compact but confident, sliding under cuffs or over bare wrists with equal ease. And with a softened rectangular silhouette and muted dial tones, it’s simple yet stylish, fun yet formal, small yet substantial, refined yet relaxed. The post Lookbook: Brew Metric Lite is Finessed Form, Function, and Fun… All In One appeared first on Worn & Wound.

Live Life On Your Terms With Swatch’s New No Rules Collection

Some days, you just feel like not adhering to the rules, right? I have to say, I’m quite a goody-goody, and I don’t break the rules that often. When I do, though, it feels kind of good and gives me a kick. The best example is when I run a red light on my bicycle […] Visit Live Life On Your Terms With Swatch’s New No Rules Collection to read the full article.

Hands-On With The Bright And Colorful Swatch ScubAqua Collection

Summer means sunny blue skies, bright colors, and plenty of swimming in lakes, pools, or the sea. That’s precisely what the new Swatch ScubAqua collection stands for - summer fun. The semitransparent watches are big, bold, and colorful. They take inspiration from graceful fluorescent jellyfish swaying in the current. Options include daring blue, red, or […] Visit Hands-On With The Bright And Colorful Swatch ScubAqua Collection to read the full article.

Introducing: The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Infinite Gray With A Glorious Grand Feu Enamel Dial

Fifty years after the Girard-Perragaux Laureato’s inception, the 42mm Infinite Gray version debuts, flaunting a glorious Grand Feu enamel dial. GP doesn’t say anything about this new reference being a special anniversary watch, but the artisanal dial does make it special. Not too long ago, I wrote an article offering Girard-Perregaux unsolicited advice. The article […] Visit Introducing: The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Infinite Gray With A Glorious Grand Feu Enamel Dial to read the full article.

Our Favorite Quartz Watches

We love quartz watches at Worn & Wound for a huge variety of reasons. Very often, a quartz watch is someone’s first watch, the watch that sets them down a path of enthusiasm and collecting that so many of us are familiar with. Quartz watches are often (but not always) an affordable alternative to a mechanical watch that doesn’t need to sacrifice anything in terms of design. Also, the technology is just incredibly cool, and so many great watchmaking minds have contributed to refining it and making it even better over the years.  We decided to ask our editorial team members to write a little bit about their favorite quartz watches. Some of these are watches they own personally, some are historic, and others are just fun examples of watches that might not make as much sense with a mechanical movement.  Be sure to let us know what your favorite quartz watch is in the comments below.  Zach Weiss – Seiko Sportura SLQ009 Kinetic Chronograph Well, this is an easy one for me, as I happen to have it in my collection: the Seiko Sportura SLQ009 Kinetic Chronograph. Where to even begin with this one… I’ll start by explaining why I like it. Long before I was properly afflicted with the watch-collecting-itis, I was simply a teenager in NYC with an appreciation for watches. My dad and I would occasionally go to the Tourneau TimeMachine on 57th Street for fun on the weekends, and for a time, they had a Seiko Kinetic Chronograph on display. It had, as I recall, a special vitrin...

Cartier Crash Alternatives For Every Budget

We’re back at it again with another "alternatives" roundup for some of the most iconic watches in watchmaking history, and in this episode, we’re getting more quirky than we ever have before. Which is only fitting given today’s subject, which is one of the most subversive watch designs of all time: the illustrious Cartier Crash.  Before I launch into some quick Cartier Crash history and then contemporary alternatives at multiple budgets, let’s establish some key design ingredients in the recipe at hand. Because I didn’t want to make you all eat up some AliExpress Cartier Crash phonies, and because the design is so iconic that most watchmakers haven’t really attempted their own imitations, I will be leaning into asymmetry or hints at surrealism here instead of more 1:1 design alternatives. Before I begin, I will say that the avant-garde era of the 1960s and '70s, before the big houses had such rigid design codes, is one of my favorites in watchmaking history. Here in the modern age, many brands seem less willing to experiment boldly, and really keep things, largely, safe. Still, there are some asymmetrical watch gems out there, and below, they will get a little time in the spotlight. I will warn you now that on the current market, prices for more bold watch designs run a little steep, so the budget I’m working around here is at a higher price point than I try to stick to (though I have thrown in some affordable options). But given the exorbitant prices of the...

Introducing: The Le Régulateur Louis Erard × Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III - Don’t Fight The Regulator WristMonster; Wear One!

Let’s start with a riddle. What has one eye, one mouth, two hands, and a rebellious soul? You got it - the Le Régulateur Louis Erard × Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III. The million-dollar question is whether humor belongs in luxury watchmaking, but when it looks good, it doesn’t matter if you think the watch […] Visit Introducing: The Le Régulateur Louis Erard × Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III - Don’t Fight The Regulator WristMonster; Wear One! to read the full article.

Fifty Years of Bvlgari Bvlgari with Marble Dials

Half a century after the Bvlgari Bvlgari was conceived by Gianni Bulgari and then redesigned by Gerald Genta, the Bulgari is making the occasion with Italian marble dials – without a date window – in both large and small sizes. This is the first instance the model sports a stone dial, which is paired with an in-house movement for the large mechanical model. Initial Thoughts In 50 years, the Bvlgari Bvlgari has gone through innumerable permutations in design and materials while retaining its key design element of a flat, engraved bezel. The 50th anniversary edition is mostly faithful to the original, with only one minor misstep: the bezel engraving is done by machine and lacks the character of the hand-engraved original. The addition of a seconds hand and display back to the automatic version will likely bolster sales, but detracts from the simplicity and refinement of the design. I do appreciate the unsigned crown and dropping the date. Also in its favor is pricing, which is reasonable for a solid gold watch from a major brand. Marbleous New Dials Initially conceived by Gianni Bulgari in 1975 as a digital watch gifted to top clients, the Bvlgari Bvlgari was subject to a 1977 redesign by the prolific Gerald Genta that made it a breakout success for the Roman jeweller. The case design was inspired by coins minted by the Roman Empire, which were struck with the current Emperor’s name along the perimeter. Genta’s 1977 Bvlgari Bvlgari of 1977 (left), and the original di...

Hands-On With The Updated And Upgraded 40mm Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture

Let’s be thankful that, in the watch world, “evolution” doesn’t always mean “getting larger.” Take the new 40mm Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture (FC-776SAL3H6) as an example. This watch’s predecessor debuted in 2016 in a 42mm case. It was an important introduction because it was the market’s most affordable mechanical perpetual calendar watch when […] Visit Hands-On With The Updated And Upgraded 40mm Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture to read the full article.

The Celadon Haute Horlogerie Century Cloisonné Collection - Displaying Brilliant Levels Of Chinese Craftsmanship

As a watch writer, I sometimes run into something truly special and different from everything else. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, I know immediately. When we received the timepieces from the Chinese high-horology brand Celadon, I had that feeling as soon as I unwrapped them. After seeing the dials, it was […] Visit The Celadon Haute Horlogerie Century Cloisonné Collection - Displaying Brilliant Levels Of Chinese Craftsmanship to read the full article.

Introducing: Farer Refreshes Its Aqua Compressor Line With Three New Designs

A new movement and upgraded lume complement new dial designs.

Introducing: Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms 'Green Abyss'

Just in time for summer, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms is back and verdant.

Swatch adds a stealthy green number to its Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection with the Green Abyss

From the deep, murky depths arises a new Thrifty Fathoms...The post Swatch adds a stealthy green number to its Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection with the Green Abyss appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Out of Office: Pikes Peak – 14,000 Feet of Elevation with the Rover Trail Pack from Topo Designs

The post Out of Office: Pikes Peak – 14,000 Feet of Elevation with the Rover Trail Pack from Topo Designs appeared first on Worn & Wound.

First Look – The New Burgundy Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph and its Fascinating Minerva Movement

Montblanc and luxury fountain pens are practically synonyms, so when the brand launched its first watch collection in 1997, it named it after one of its famous pens, the Meisterstück. However, a recognisable name doesn’t translate into watchmaking credentials. To prove that watchmaking was going to be taken seriously, in 2007, Montblanc bought the Minerva […]

11 of the best Gérald Genta designs for other brands

The legendary designer reportedly penned over 100,000 watches... Here are 11 of the best.The post 11 of the best Gérald Genta designs for other brands appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.