Results for Automatic vs Manual Winding

50th Year of the Automatic Chronograph: Who Came First?

The extra-thin automatic Breguet Classique 5157

Breguet is one of the most inventive and innovative classical watch brands in the market today. With its wide product offering, the brand boasts both high-complication timepieces with a hybrid modern twist and simple, elegant time-only watches. The watch that we will examine today is from the latter group, but bears elements quintessential to the brand's design.

The First Manual-Wound COSC Certified Speedmaster - The Jubilee BA 148.0052

Mid-Term Analysis: Swatch vs Richemont

With the staggering difference in stock price performance between Swatch Group and Richemont, we decided to dig deeper with an analysis on what had contributed to the disparity.

Swiza Introduces Three New Collections, Including the Automatic Kretos

As a true Swiss manufacture of table and alarm clocks, Swiza has been around for 113 years, but the new part of the company, focusing on manufacturing knives and watches, has only been operating for a couple of years.

5 to Watch from the Ravens VS. Jaguars Game (And Their Watches)

The NFL’s international series kicked off with the Jaguars and Ravens at Wembley this weekend. Revolution looks at some of the hottest wristwatches on the field.

Ep. #40 - Servicing Watches: Direct-to-Brand Vs. Independent

It's probably best if you just never ask Mike if you can borrow his toilet plunger - just putting it out there. Also, if you're a fan of interuptions, then this is the podcast for you! Barking dogs! Jingling kitty collars - this week's show is all about it! Plus, Kaz finds a new home in a pile of cardboard boxes.

Watch Case Sizes vs Lug-to-Lug - A Lesson from HYT’s H-Zero

Does NASA certification end the debate of Column Wheel Vs. Cam Chronographs?

Debates of technical superiority between Column Wheel and Cam Actuated Chronographs have gone back and forth. Does NASA certification settle the issue?

Cramer vs. Cramer: When George Fell in Love with the URWERK 103.03

Collector and writer, George Cramer is known the world over for his love and scholarly pursuit of Cartier’s watchmaking. But did you know that the man also happens to be an URWERK fan and even owns an early 103.03?

Transparency vs. Legitimacy: Demystifying the Luxury Watch Industry Pt 1.

Legitimacy and provenance for watchmaking brands in particular are a very delicate matter, is it necessary for a brand to be completely transparent?

Kickstarter Watch of the Week: Hamtun H1 Grade 5 Titanium Automatic Dive Watch

there are many minimalist Kickstarter watches right now but few use high-grade titanium with matte ceramic bezel at 20ATM depth rating like the Hamtun H1

In-House, Cutting Edge: Audemars Piguet Debuts the Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph With In-House Automatic Chronograph

In the world of watchmaking, there is news, and there’s actual news.  Here we have the latter: the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph. This is something rather special.  Combining a tourbillon with a chronograph is never a trivial challenge, but what we’ve got here is a fully integrated, in-house tourbillon chronograph movement, that also uses […]

Accuracy Vs. Precision: Understanding Watch Performance

[Backdrop] A. Lange & Söhne Sax-O-Mat Perpetual Calendar, Adjusted To Positions, Temperature, And Isochronism When it comes to performance in watches, the single most important element to the owner is generally “accuracy,” and by that, is usually meant the ability of a watch to keep time as measured against a certain reliable external standard. Internet […]

Automatic Attraction: Corum Debuts New Golden Bridge Automatic At BaselWorld 2013

Something old, something new –that’s the theme that runs through much of watchmaking.  Lest we forget, the basic technology of watchmaking consists of a mainspring barrel, gears, a lever escapement, and a temperature compensated balance controlled by a balance spring.  All of those elements –every one –were in place by 1750, boys and girls, when […]

Valentine’s Day suggestion…Lange Saxonia Automatic

What to get your significant other for Valentines? How about the magnificent Lange Saxonia? OK, so perhaps not possible for this Valentine’s as the watch is not yet available in the stores…but its a nice excuse to introduce this beautiful piece. Of course, I am assuming your Valentine is a lady…if it happens to beRead More

H. Moser Introduces the Endeavour Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Date, with a Brand New Manually Wound Movement

Moser’s new Endeavour Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Date occupies a strange niche which the brand has now explored twice in the span of just a few months: a watch with a movement that has been converted from an automatic version to manually wound for additional functionality and convenience. I’d be surprised if this was an operating principle for Moser for either this release or the Streamliner Pump which debuted at Watches & Wonders, and runs on the HMC 103, which is a manually wound version of their workhorse HMC 500. But it does speak to the brand’s ingenuity when it comes to movement making, and is a reminder that while Moser’s aesthetics and distinct design language often get the most ink, there’s real watchmaking happening as well.  Moser’s Endeavour platform gets the debut of an entirely new movement from Moser, the HMC 730. Based on the architecture of the HMC 902, their automatic chronograph movement made with AGENHOR, the new caliber dispenses with an automatic winding system in favor of dual time and date complications. It does all of this without traditional subdials, a real benefit of the proprietary AGENHOR architecture, which promises a more intuitive readout of elapsed time on a chronograph. On this watch, a red central hand tracks chronograph seconds, a rhodium plated hand tracks elapsed minutes, and the second time zone is found within an interior gray fume dial.  The movement has a number of function first technical advances. The date, for ...

11 of the best manually wound watches, from cheap and cheerful dailies to the downright avant-garde

Hand-winding watches remain popular despite their old-school movement tech. Here are the ones that prove why that's the case.The post 11 of the best manually wound watches, from cheap and cheerful dailies to the downright avant-garde appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Up Close: Biver Automatique

The second watch launched by Biver, the Automatique is a three-hand time-only, functionally simple but elaborately executed. Even the base model has a surprisingly complex dial, but the Automatique is really all about the JCB-003 movement, which is a micro-rotor calibre that ranks up there as one of most impressive recent self-winding movements. Established by Jean-Claude Biver and his son Pierre, Biver got its start with a far more complicated watch, but the Automatique is arguably more impressive because it’s a simple watch executed in a complicated yet cohesive manner. The JCB-003 Initial thoughts Yet another time-only watch with a dressed up movement and hefty price tag – the formula feels a little worn out now. So the Biver Automatique surprises on the upside. I like it. The design is appealing and cohesive, while the movement is impressive. In contrast, when Biver debuted with the Carillon Tourbillon minute repeater, I thought “the quality is unmistakeable, the aesthetics are lacking”. The Automatique lives up to the same levels of quality – and maybe even more – but it is instinctively appealing, even considering the price. The solid gold dial of the entry-level version in rose gold Even though Biver is not an artisanal independent brand in the conventional sense of the word since neither of its founders are watchmakers, the JCB-003 movement is executed to a standard that equals many artisanal independents. The construction is thoughtful and sophisticate...

VIDEO: IWC’s Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase Edition “150 Years”

For over 30 years the Portofino has been amongst IWC’s dressiest offerings, with a rounded Lépine-inspired case, and elegant, elongated Roman numerals. So it comes as no surprise that the line has a prominent place in IWC’s 150th anniversary collection. And while there’s simpler offerings, such as the Automatic and the Chronograph, our eyes (and … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: IWC’s Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase Edition “150 Years” appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Hands-On: Biver Returns With The New 'Automatique' And A Proprietary Micro-Rotor Movement

After their $550,000 Carillon Tourbillon, the brand is focusing on thoughtful and meticulous growth with their new automatic model.

Introducing - The Patriotic Depancel Allure Valjoux 92 Bleu de France

The name Depancel speaks volumes about where this independent French brand finds inspiration. Amalgamating the names of three prestigious French carmakers – Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega – Depancel and the world of motorsports are inseparable. Its Allure collection of automatic and manual-winding chronographs welcomes a limited edition powered by a restored 1950s Valjoux 92 […]

Only For Japan - The Biver Automatique with Grand Feu Enamel Dial

Jean-Claude Biver and his son Pierre continue their journey of independent horology with the Biver Automatique Japan Edition. Made in collaboration with its retailer in Japan, this special release is based on the time-only automatic debuted last year, but reimagined to cater to the traditionally classical taste of the Japanese collector. The minimalist edition debuts in two elegant variants that explore the contrast of light and shadow through hard-fired enamel made by an enamel workshop in Geneva’s Old Town. A stark white enamel dial is paired with a platinum case, while the high-contrast version matches a glossy black dial with a rose gold case – both share a clean, old-school aesthetic with applied markers and a railway minute track. A tribute to the Japanese collector The Automatique epitomises Biver’s neoclassical and elaborate approach to watchmaking, which blends careful detailing with hand-finishing techniques, for both habillage and the movement. Now the Japan Edition further refines the approach, condensing the more elaborate execution of the original versions into something more traditional, more classical, and arguably more reflective of the taste of Japanese enthusiasts. The two distinct models pay homage to the Japanese appreciation of minimalist aesthetics combined with high quality and precision execution, along with a well-established love of mid-century precision Swiss wristwatches. The clarity of the vintage-inspired design makes the Japan Edition ...

Biver Reveals Unique Automatique for Charity

Although it’s been less than two years since its founding, Biver has already launched its second model, the Automatique. Using that as the base, the brand created the Automatique “Echoes of this Moment”, a unique piece crafted in collaboration with a Swiss artist for TimeForArt, a charity auction taking place in November to benefit the Swiss Institute, a nonprofit focused on contemporary art education. Initial thoughts The standard Automatique is undeniably a finely executed watch, especially the micro-rotor automatic calibre within. Although the aesthetics of the regular-production model aren’t perfectly cohesive, the exquisite quality of the movement and attention to detail make it one of the most interesting new time-only creations from an independent. This unique piece improves the aesthetics of the Automatique because it simplifies the design. The standard version has an elaborately finished dial that combines too many elements – faceted indices, brushed sectors, an engraved seconds track, and sharp polished hands. In contrast, the unique Automatique keeps the look simple, while still having a complex, artisanal dial decoration. Here the handmade dial – that’s both engraved and enamelled – can be admired for what it is, with no distractions. An artful dial The New York-based Swiss Institute was set up to promote contemporary art through events and exhibitions. Now in its second edition, TimeForArt was conceived to benefit the non-profit. Biver is one o...

Three On Three: Comparing In-House, Manually-Wound Dress Watches Under $20,000

The manually-wound dress watch is a basic in any man's wardrobe, and we're putting three that feature in-house movements for under $20,000 to the test.

Grand Seiko debuts the manually wound Spring Drive SBGY011 in a 44GS case

Grand Seiko is known for their colorful and textured dials born from natural muses. The Japanese philosophy of translating their surrounding nature into their craft has long distinguished their creations but, in regard to the Grand Seiko catalogue, has resulted in an ample menu of dial flavours to choose from. For the watch geek looking … ContinuedThe post Grand Seiko debuts the manually wound Spring Drive SBGY011 in a 44GS case appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing - Moritz Grossmann Hamatic Silver-Plated by Friction, For the Founder’s 200th Anniversary

The Hamatic is one of the more unusual watches from Moritz Grossmann, mainly because of how it handles automatic winding. Instead of a central rotor, it uses a hammer-style system, where a pendulum-like weight swings freely in both directions, constantly feeding energy to the movement. It is a more animated way of keeping the watch […]

Hands-On With The Ultra-Slim Christopher Ward Twelve 660

Christopher Ward is not scared to go against the grain with its new releases. It has become a big part of its success. The brand seemingly slapped purists in the face with a manual-winding integrated-bracelet sports watch not too long ago. In itself, that’s nothing spectacular. However, if you are a Gérald Genta devotee, you […] Visit Hands-On With The Ultra-Slim Christopher Ward Twelve 660 to read the full article.

Hands On: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony 270th Anniversary Editions

The anniversary celebrations continue at Vacheron Constantin, which has introduced 270th anniversary versions of the Patrimony Self-Winding and Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date featuring asymmetric guilloche-style dials depicting the Maltese Cross. Both models are part of Vacheron Constantin (VC)’s 270th anniversary collection, with the simple automatic limited to 370 pieces each in either 18k white or rose gold, while the retrograde date limited to just 270 pieces in each metal. Initial thoughts This watch is all about its dial, which it shares with the Traditionnelle. I liked the look immediately, which is subtle yet appropriately self-referential for such an occasion. I often find the Patrimony to wear on the large side, given the expansive dial and slim bezel, but in this case I think the asymmetry of the dial design helps shrink the watch visually. The Patrimony Self-Winding duo Both references stick to roughly the same dimensions of their standard production counterparts, 40 mm by 8.65 mm thick for the simple automatic, and 42.5 mm by 9.7 mm for the retrograde date. Both sets of figures are on the larger end of the spectrum for dress watches, but this sizing should work well to highlight the special dial. Despite their functional differences, both models share the same automatic base caliber from the cal. 24xx movement family, which is configured either for central seconds or to accommodate the retrograde date mechanism. This 4 Hz movement platform has a relat...

Introducing - The New Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture

The moon phase indicator and date combination is a flagship model at Frederique Constant, appearing with the launch of the brand’s second manufacture movement in 2005. Early models, like the Heart Beat Manufacture, were equipped with the brand’s hand-wound moon phase and date movement (FC-915). Evolving over the years and replacing the manual-winding movement with […]