Hodinkee
Strength and Beauty
The new limited-edition G-SHOCK MRG-B2000KT pays tribute to the ancient craft of Japanese swordmaking with the help of a master metalsmith.
Results for Swiss vs Japanese Watchmaking
4,703 articles · 45 videos found · page 71 of 159
Hodinkee
Hodinkee
Gatherings: UBS House of Craft Celebrates Grand Seiko in Miami
An afternoon of Japanese horology with Grand Seiko Brand Curator Joe Kirk, Designer Akira Yoshida, and Hodinkee's TanTan Wang.
Hodinkee
The Poetry of Time
The CITIZEN’s new 30th anniversary editions pay tribute to autumn leaves, falling snow, and a uniquely Japanese sense of beauty
Monochrome
Introducing - Benjamin Hui’s Independent Atelier Debuts Project Tai Yu, In Honour Of China’s First AHCI Watchmaker
Founder of Independent Atelier and watch collector Benjamin Hui has spent a good portion of his life devoted to the work of Kiu Tai Yu. As one of the key figures in the birth and rise of Chinese high-end independent watchmaking, Tai Yu was the first applicant from China to become a member of the […]
Monochrome
First Look - Yema Drops the Skin Diver Slim Bronze CMM.20 Limited Edition
The resurgence of French brand Yema over the past few years has been marked by a steady, successful effort to refine its heritage designs and by its commitment to in-house watchmaking. Founded in 1948 in Morteau, France, the brand built its reputation through tool watches like the Superman and Skin Diver of the 1960s, watches […]
Fratello
Introducing: Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo
Hublot and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto are back for a fourth collaboration. This limited edition celebrates the shade of black. For Yamamoto, this carries greater significance than the mere absence of color; it is a statement. The same goes for Hublot, making the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo interesting from a design-philosophy standpoint. […] Visit Introducing: Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo to read the full article.
Hodinkee
Essays: Here's To Growing Knowledge And Seeking The 'Whys' In 2026
There's a lot of "who" and "what" to talking about watchmaking, collecting, and history, but we need to think more about the "why."
SJX Watches
Business News: Chanel Takes Stake in Kross Manufacture
Chanel has taken a 30% minority stake in Kross Manufacture, the industrial operation behind the watches of Kross Studio and several third-party clients. Though the investment has not been formally publicised, I reached out to the brand’s founder Marco Tedeschi who confirmed the investment and provided additional context on the strategy for Kross Manufacture. In short, the transaction continues Chanel’s long-running strategy of backing independent watchmaking infrastructure through minority investments, rather than pursuing full acquisitions or operational control. Initial thoughts While Chanel’s growing footprint across independent watchmaking is well documented, its investment in Kross Manufacture is notable for its manufacturing-first focus. Unlike brand-level partnerships, the stake is confined strictly to production capabilities, reinforcing Chanel’s long-term interest in securing specialised, high-end manufacturing capacity rather than expanding its portfolio of consumer-facing marques. In this sense, the investment can be viewed as similar to its 2019 investment in the Kenissi manufacture alongside Tudor. Equally significant is what the deal does not represent: there is no rapid industrial scaling planned. Instead, the investment appears designed to selectively expand capacity, allowing Kross Manufacture to continue serving both its in-house brand and more third-party clients without sacrificing the agility required to produce watches in very small quantities...
Monochrome
Hands-on - L.Leroy Osmior Bal du Temps, Sounding the Return of a Famed Name
If I had to describe the return of L.Leroy, once one of France’s most illustrious watchmaking houses, with its name respected as much as those of Breguet and Ferdinand Berthoud, it was very theatrical. Founded in 1785 by Charles Leroy in Paris, it became famous for its marine chronometers, regulator clocks, and commissions for European […]
Worn & Wound
Seiko Kicks off their 145th Anniversary Year with Four Limited Editions
I think it’s fair to say that for any watch enthusiast out there that Seiko has played some role in discovering this hobby. As a brand that encompasses a variety of styles and price points, anyone can be introduced to the brand at any level of their growing interest. Because of this, the Japanese watchmaker’s 145th anniversary feels particularly special for anyone who, like me, spent hours scouring eBay for a Seiko, and feeling, in a small way, like you’re a legitimate collector now that you’ve graduated away from the generic watch you grabbed at Wal-Mart on a whim. To celebrate this milestone, Seiko has released four limited-edition gold-accented models, across the King Seiko, Prospex, Presage, and Astron collections. While one may think that these four watches feel slightly disjointed when taken together, each showcases what Seiko does best: balancing form and function in equal measure without ever falling into the trap of ostentation. Take, for example, the King Seiko. This anniversary edition, which joins the KS1969 series, is the first of the four and nods directly to Seiko’s founder himself, Kintaro Hattori. The dial pattern is inspired by one that Hattori-san had engraved on his personal watches and is rendered here in a grey gradient that darkens towards the edges. Keeping with Seiko’s innate ability to add decoration without excess, we see the King Seiko has added gold-colored hands, indexes, and text for a bit of personality against the grey. Most not...
Hodinkee
Essays: 2026 Is the Year We Fight AI Slop To Reclaim Human Craft
Finding relief in watchmaking and print in an era shaped by algorithms.
Monochrome
Introducing - Credor Goldfeather Imari Nabeshima Porcelain Dial GCBY991
Credor, a high-end division of the Seiko Group, was founded in 1974 with a focus on refined, ultra-thin timepieces that emphasise artistic and artisanal techniques. Originally catering to the Japanese domestic market, Credor has begun to expand internationally only recently (mostly with the Locomotive, based on a Genta design) and will make its debut at […]
SJX Watches
Precious Porcelain: The Seiko Credor Goldfeather GCBY991
Foreshadowing Credor’s Watches & Wonders debut in April (located alongside sister brand Grand Seiko), the Goldfeather GCBY991 Imari Nabeshima Porcelain is the brand’s first launch of the year. It pairs an ultra-thin hand-wound movement with a dial made using a traditional – and reputedly highly secretive – Japanese porcelain technique. But now the secret is out, cased in steel and limited to 60 pieces worldwide. Initial thoughts Originally envisioned in the 1970s as a vehicle for precious metal quartz watches, Credor later expanded into a catch-all brand for Seiko’s high-end offerings that didn’t fit the Grand Seiko aesthetic. Over the last few years, however, Credor has refocused and shrunk its catalogue from over 200 references in 2021 to fewer than 70 today, shedding legions of ladies’ quartz models while redoubling emphasis on artisanal crafts. The porcelain-dialed GCBY999 embodies this tighter focus and exemplifies the brand’s new motto: “the creativity of artisans”. Despite the Goldfeather branding – and Credor’s original purpose – the GCBY999 is cased in stainless steel. This is a welcome concession given the current price of gold, which is near all-time highs, especially since Seiko generally charges a higher premium for precious metal models than is typical for Swiss brands. As a result, the GCBY999 is good value within the Goldfeather lineup, despite its artisanal dial. The watch retails for JPY1.98 million in Japan, equivalent to about ...
Monochrome
Hands-on - The MIH Gaïa Series III, and Why this Watch Matters
After the now-cult-classic MIH Watch of 2005, an overtly minimalist Annual Calendar Chronograph developed by Ludwig Oechslin and Paul Gerber, and the Gaïa Watch series launched in 2019, the 2024 edition continues the museum’s approach to watchmaking. Indeed, before launching his own brand, Ochs und Junior, Oechslin was the curator of the Musée International d’Horologerie […]
Monochrome
First Look - Seiko’s Set of 4 New Watches for its 145th Anniversary, incl. a Surprising Vintage Presage
Seiko has influenced and continues to shape modern horology as only a few watchmakers can. From its origins in 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a small shop in Tokyo, to becoming a global powerhouse in precision timekeeping, Seiko’s history is a register of constant innovation. Over the decades, the brand has delivered some of watchmaking’s […]
Time+Tide
The Art of Fusion in three chapters: a deep dive into Hublot’s past, present and future
Jason Lee pens an in‑depth look at how Hublot has evolved into one of the most talked‑about names in contemporary watchmaking.The post The Art of Fusion in three chapters: a deep dive into Hublot’s past, present and future appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Teddy Baldassarre
Glashütte Original Watches: A Comprehensive Guide
Glashütte Original is a luxury watchmaker founded in 1994, in the wake of the Cold War and at the dawn of German reunification. However, it traces its roots back much further, to the mid-19th Century during the inception of German watchmaking in the eastern German state of Saxony. Here is the story of how Glashütte Original, and the horological pioneers who laid its foundation, persevered through war, social and political upheaval, and economic turmoil to become one of today's most innovative and admired watch brands, along with an introduction to each of its five 21st-Century product families. Saxon Watchmaking’s Founding Fathers The little town of Glashütte, in the Ore Mountains of the German state of Saxony, had fallen on hard times when a watchmaker from nearby Dresden named Ferdinand Adolph Lange set up a watchmaking shop there in 1845. The silver-mining industry that had sustained the region’s inhabitants, and that had given the town its name (“Glass Hut” or “Shiny Hut”), was on the decline after years of war and industrial competition from the New World. The inhabitants of the town were facing poverty and eager for new opportunities to make a living, and Lange, along with others who shared his passion for horology and entrepreneurship, were the visionaries to provide them. In cooperation with the Royal Saxon government, who had funded the venture, Adolph Lange established A. Lange & Cie. (later A. Lange & Söhne), a manufacturing hub for watchmakin...
Deployant
Happy New Year! May 2026 be a great blessing to us all
It is January 1! As usual, we take the day off and rest. We will be back tomorrow with more features, more videos, more reviews and more news of the watchmaking industry. Happy New Year! May 2026 be a great blessing to us all 2025 has been a wonderful year. It is our best yearRead More
Monochrome
Recap - The Best Watches From Independent Watchmakers in 2025
In 2025, the indie watchmaking scene reached new heights, once again demonstrating that innovation and artistry continue to flourish outside the big groups, captivating us with daring mechanics, refined finishes, and pure creative freedom. Whether you’re looking for the best indie watches of 2025 or want to see how far independent brands can push modern […]
Teddy Baldassarre
The Most Underestimated Brand Out Of Switzerland - More In-House Than
When it comes to luxury watchmaking, Switzerland has unequivocally established itself as the heart of the industry. Numerous brands call its capital city home, and over centuries have set a high standard for industry at large by continuously raising the bar, in turn becoming household names. That bar for quality is hig
Monochrome
Recap - The Best Accessible Watches of 2025
While we tend to cover a lot of very expensive watches on a regular basis, and prices generally seem to be on the up-and-up year after year, it’s comforting to know some brands still excel at good, honest, value-for-money watchmaking. This year, established names are joined by a few new ones to offer a rather […]
SJX Watches
Hands On: Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar PAM01575
The Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar GMT Platinumtech PAM01575 is one of the most unconventional perpetual calendars on the market, combining the brand’s military-inspired emphasis on legibility and robustness with a high-spec, crown-operated perpetual calendar movement designed for daily wear. Housed in a hard-wearing 44 mm Platinumtech case and powered by the P.4100 calibre, the PAM01575 challenges expectations for what a Panerai can be, applying the brand’s utilitarian DNA to one of watchmaking’s most respected complications. A user-friendly perpetual calendar Panerai is a brand rooted in its identity as a supplier of watches and dive instruments to the Italian navy. The brand’s utilitarian aesthetic, with bold dial markings and a distinctive crown guard, earned it a cult following in the early 2000s, and while some of the enthusiasm of that era has waned, the designs remain as recognisable as ever. Military watches are usually designed to be legible and robust, user-friendly traits that make them appealing to civilians. User-friendliness is something of a complication in its own right, and in some ways is one of the final frontiers of movement design. This includes both legibility, and the priority of information on the dial, and functionality, ensuring that the movement is easy to operate and resilient against mishandling. These issues are especially present when it comes to perpetual calendars, which must present a lot of information; George Daniels famousl...
Fratello
Fratello Favorites: The Best Watches Of 2025 - Ben’s Picks From Vacheron Constantin, Oris, Breitling, And More
We’re just a few extra days away from the end of 2025. While the watchmaking industry remains in flux due to global economic uncertainties, creatively, this year has been one of the best in recent memory. When product success isn’t guaranteed, brands tend to target the well-off collectors who are wealthy enough to weather the […] Visit Fratello Favorites: The Best Watches Of 2025 - Ben’s Picks From Vacheron Constantin, Oris, Breitling, And More to read the full article.
Monochrome
Recap - The Best Integrated and Elegant Sports Watches of 2025
Watches with integrated bracelets and elegant-sports designs remain popular. While the hype seems to have cooled slightly, the category continues to be very competitive, but also creative. From big watchmaking brands refining icons to young independents challenging the rules, 2025 has produced a stellar mix of timepieces that combine innovation, design, and craftsmanship. We’ve selected […]
Time+Tide
The three Seiko releases of 2025 that actually mattered
Seiko had plenty of wins in 2025, but the three watches we've chosen best represent the essence of the ever-popular Japanese brand.The post The three Seiko releases of 2025 that actually mattered appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Kari Voutilainen Steps Back at Urban Jürgensen
After four years leading the relaunch of Urban Jürgensen (UJ) alongside co-chief executive Alex Rosenfield, Kari Voutilainen is returning to the bench and dedicate his time to watchmaking and development, while Mr Rosenfeld will assume the role of sole chief executive. Despite this change, the relationship between Mr Voutilainen and UJ remains strong; he will still be involved, albeit in a more hands-off capacity as a shareholder, board member, and senior strategic advisor. From this vantage point, Mr Voutilainen, who has a long history with UJ, should retain substantial influence over the brand’s direction. Initial thoughts The news of Kari Voutilainen stepping back from day-to-day executive responsibilities at UJ seems natural, and was probably inevitable. Having gotten the relaunched brand into orbit, Mr Voutilainen is putting things in the hands of the team at UJ to carry on. Judging by the steady pace of deliveries so far this year, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about their capabilities. One reason this change seems natural is that it follows a similar move at Voutilainen earlier this month. Mr Voutilainen has been planning for the future and putting management teams in place to build a long-term business and free up more of his own capacity for working on new watches and movements. His daughter, Venla, is also stepping down from her role as chief operating officer at UJ in order to assist with the family business. Kari Voutilainen alongside recently ...
Hodinkee
Hands-On: The Rolex Daytona Ref. 126508 "John Mayer 2.0"
The new model is starting to be delivered, and it's more than just another kind of green dial. We go in-depth to compare old vs. new.
Teddy Baldassarre
Our Favorite Chronos Of 2025
Chronographs are one of the most popular and yet under-appreciated watches out there. While we might take them for granted due to the relative ease of finding a nice one at just about any price point, the watchmaking on display can be as impressive as that from more exotic complications. 2025 was a fantastic year for fans of the chronograph with Omega releasing a manual wind iteration of their sportier ceramic take on the Speedmaster. And then there’s Breguet, who have been on a roll all year. Let’s take a look at our favorite new chronographs for this year and while not all of them made the list, there are some particularly robust honorable mentions here. [toc-section heading="Longines Spirit Flyback Chronograph"] The Longines Spirit Flyback Chronograph was given a refresh that, in my opinion, puts it in the running for one of the best chronographs out there period. It was previously offered only in a 42mm case but now comes in a fantastic compact 39.5mm wide stainless steel case that comes in at a lug-to-lug height of just around 47.4mm. Of course, it’s not just the case diameter that matters, it’s also the thickness and the reduction from a hefty 17mm to 13.4mm is truly transformative. The L792.4 calibre movement is a manual wind take on the Valjoux 7750 that also gets a contemporary makeover with a silicon balance spring and COSC certification on top of the 68-hour power reserve. While the price of $5,350 on strap and $5,500 might not shout “value” to some,...
Teddy Baldassarre
Before You Buy the Tudor Ranger
When the Tudor Ranger was reintroduced in 2022, it represented a missing element to the Tudor catalog. It represents a bygone era of watchmaking from Tudor and Rolex, with watches like the Oyster Prince, and Rolex Explorer 1016, to significant effect. During Dubai Watch Week 2025, they surprised us with an extension to
Teddy Baldassarre
Our Favorite Divers Of 2025
With 2025 coming to a close, the editorial team at Teddy is eager to share some of our favorite new releases of the year. We’ll be starting with one of the more competitive and popular categories out there: dive watches. Really any given year is a big year for divers but 2025 had some refreshed heavy hitters as well as some new entries that push the limits of watchmaking technology. We attempted to keep our final picks somewhat tight but there is, of course, a honorable mentions section at the end where we go through some notable new releases from the year. So, without further ado let’s get into our favorite new divers from 2025. [toc-section heading="Longines Legend Diver"] The category of vintage-inspired divers has only gotten more competitive in recent years, but Longines has managed to deliver a truly wearable and memorable lineup with its Legend Diver collection. Fully refreshed and reimagined in 2024, this white dial take on the line is the latest addition to the family, and has become the missing piece to making the entire collection feel complete, well-rounded, and versatile. It feels right at home with its other family members, carrying on the 39mm diameter, and slim 12.7mm case profile that makes it easy to wear when you aren’t about to dive into the deep, though its 300 meters of water resistance means you very well can without worry. The mid-century design cues look particularly handsome with the crisp white backdrop of the dial, and, combined with the...