The 2021 GPHG-winning CIGA Design Blue Planet is a unique take on time telling. Its domed dial with an engraved depiction of the earth tells time in a novel way. A good design firm rarely rests on its laurels, though, and the Blue Planet II brings subtle but positive changes. I remember the original CIGA…

It is possible that the MB&F M.A.D.Editions M.A.D.1S watch is the final version (which will probably see a few color variations) of the popular M.A.D.1 (M.A.D.1) timepiece series by the Geneva brand. The M.A.D.1S is a thinner version of the M.A.D.1 and features a few other design and technical changes. The MB&F M.A.D. Editions M.A.D.1S…

As someone who solely writes about watches from micro/independent brands, I’m pleased to share my list of their 20 best releases of 2024. And there is a lot to talk about, of course. The list below is simply organized in alphabetical order by the brand name. All watches listed are ones I’ve handled in the…

Northern California-based Minus-8 has been making U.S.-designed independent timepieces for over 10 years, easily several years before doing so was considered “cool.” Minus-8 as a brand name refers to the Pacific Standard Time zone that California is in, which is “GMT -8.” It has been a few years since I’ve handled a Minus-8 watch, and…

Analog-digital watches are making a comeback. Here are a few fantastic examples of compelling designs from popular brands to consider. The aesthetically pleasing design of an analog watch and the added functionality of a digital complication make a strong case for including analog-digital watches in any enthusiast’s collection. Let’s take a look. When I say…

The first battles of the 2025 Formula 1 season are still a couple of months away, but IWC decided to — quietly — kickstart the year with the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team watch. We hope that the many lawyers of Mercedes, AMG, Petronas, and Formula 1 all buy one…

Photo above: Pocket watch by John Wright, New York City, ca. 1715, the earliest known American watch. A watch was one of the most expensive consumer goods that one could buy in early America. They were a technical mystery that embodied the very height of craftsmanship, fashion, and artistry in the world, and conveyed one’s…

What We Know Would you look at that – it’s 2025! Though it’s much too early in the year to start calling what trends we might see come and go, it looks like Longines is declaring that the forged carbon trend is here to stay. One of the silent hits from the Swatch Group in…