The Best Watches By Independent Watchmakers in 2024

• H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton
• Holthinrichs Watches Signature Decoration
• Laurent Ferrier Basic Moon Annual Calendar
• M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 1S
• Otsuka Lotec No. 6

Impartial watchmaking is the very cloth of MONOCHROME, the stuff that will get us excited essentially the most, our literal raison d’etre. It’s been a part of our DNA for the reason that begin of our platform, and naturally, we proceed to advocate our love and convey you the very best of the perfect from Indie manufacturers the world over. This 12 months we noticed a variety of very good new watches from manufacturers we’ve had our eye on for years, but in addition from a shock new discovery from the Land of the Rising Solar. With out additional ado, right here’s what we voted for because the Better of Indendepent Watchmaking in 2024.

H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton

The Streamliner is a type of luxurious sports activities watches that appear to work it doesn’t matter what they do with it. H. Moser & Cie can gown it in gold with the blackest black dial ever, or give it a complex chiming mechanism, it doesn’t matter. One of many absolute best although, in our e-book at the very least, was this 12 months’s Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton. For us, it’s all in regards to the distinction of the tender flowing curves of the case and bracelet, in opposition to the mesmerizing openworked computerized motion that’s all made in-house, steadiness spring included. The eye to element within the ending is top-notch, and that one-minute flying tourbillon escapement is only a pleasure to see in movement. It’s a part of the everlasting assortment and retails for an admittedly fairly hefty EUR 79,000.

For extra data on the fabulous H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton, take a look at our in-depth hands-on here.

Holthinrichs Watches Signature Decoration

We’re fairly happy with the rising stage of watchmaking coming from our little home country, which is all carried out by unbiased craftsmen. The crew of Holthinrichs launched the follow-up to their very successful Ornament collection, within the type of the Signature collection. This entry-level vary is available in two varieties, the 3D-printed Signature LAB collection, and this Signature Decoration with a CNC-milled case in titanium. The form of the case is a real architectural masterpiece with flowing curves, buttresses, and sensible use of unfavorable house. The Delft Blue dial you see right here is only one in a variety of dial choices, all backed by a Sellita SW300-based computerized, with an in-house-made rotor. Costs begin at EUR 3,500 excl. VAT, whereas this Delft Blue possibility is priced at EUR 3,750 earlier than taxes.

For extra particulars on the sculptural Holthinrichs Signature Decoration, please head over to our detailed review here.

Laurent Ferrier Basic Moon Annual Calendar

We’ve by no means hidden our love for Laurent Ferrier’s watches, and the Classic Moon Annual Calendar is one other ultra-elegant creation. The pebble-like 40mm vast polished metal case (additionally accessible in rose gold by the way in which) serves because the vessel for an exquisite grey-blue (or silver for the gold case) dial. The delicate trace of sunshine blue for the pointer date indication actually livens issues up, however your eye’s almost certainly drawn into the double moon part within the backside. On high, to home windows present you the day of the week and the month. The Calibre LF126.02 acquired over 30 new elements over the motion within the Montre Ecole Annual Calendar it’s based mostly on. The ending is of the best order after all, and the Basic Moon Annual Calendar retails for CHF 70,000 (in metal)

For extra data on the Basic Moon Annual Calendar by Laurent Ferrier, please take a look at our hands-on review here.

M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 1S

How do you proceed from what was an extremely impactful watch when first launched? You improve its motion, search methods to refine it and if attainable make it slimmer within the course of. Sounds easy, however it’s precisely what the team of MB&F has carried out with the M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 1S. Their M.A.D. 1 was already an amazingly fun and captivating watch, however the M.A.D. 1S is maybe even higher. The brand new La Joux-Perret G101 computerized replaces the Miyota engine that allowed that top-sided battle axe rotor to spin at maddening speeds. The M.A.D. 1S additionally drops one of many cylinders, which is the prime motive for the ~20% discount in peak. Time is now learn with hour numerals and dots for the quarters. What else do you want? The watch remains to be bought by means of the particularly reasonable raffle system, for a value of CHF 2,900 excl. VAT.

For extra particulars in regards to the whimsical M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 1S, please take a look at our introduction story here.

Otsuka Lotec No. 6

One of many greatest discoveries on the earth of unbiased watchmaking, not simply to us however in all probability the complete watch group, is Otsuka Lotec. Made by self-taught Japanese watchmaker Jiro Katayama, the Otsuka Lotec watches stand out for his or her industrial instrument-inspired designs. The No. 6 for instance, which is our favorite, makes use of a bi-retrograde module on high of an computerized Miyota 9015 computerized for the hours and minutes. Subsequent to that it additionally exhibits the date between the normal 3 and 4 o’clock place, and the working seconds by a disc in a small window at 6′. Rather a lot is finished in-house, such because the case and the module for its uncommon show. It’s a bit tough to pay money for as Otsuka Lotec’s are bought in japan just for now. The value is JPY 440,000 (approx. EUR 2,500 earlier than taxes)

For extra data on the super-cool Otsuka Lotec No. 6, please head over to our hands-on review right here.