29Jan 2017 by Martin Green No Comments
Kronaby: Sweden’s Smartest Watch

Kronaby: Sweden’s Smartest Watch

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Dit we just announce the birth of the first smart watch that can handle both iOS and Android, we now already have another smartwatch that can do this as well. Actually, that is not true since Kronaby is not just another watch, it is Swedish latest watch brand offering more than one smart watch. [caption id="attachment_2603" align="aligncenter" width="370"] Kronaby Apex[/caption] What makes Kronaby different from other smart watches is that they are powered by a regular battery. Depending on use this should give a battery life of about two years. In those two years, you can take full use of all the different functions that the Kronaby has. For starters, you are in control of them and select which ones you actually want to use. This way your watch will…
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24Jan 2017 by Martin Green 1 Comment
Unimatic Modello Duo: Italian Flair

Unimatic Modello Duo: Italian Flair

News
Less is more is a common term these days, usually used by Kickstarter campaigns with a better knack for marketing then designing watches. But the Italians seem to have a different meaning for less is more: lesser lines in a watch designs gives more impact, as is for sure the case with Modello Duo by micro-brand Unimatic. Unimatic is one of those delightful small brands that creates unique watches in limited editions for affordable prices. How affordable? Well, the Modello Duo sets you back 350 euro's (excluding VAT). For that amount of money, you get a charismatic field watch, powered by Seiko's automatic caliber NH35. That field can by the way also extend way below the water level, because the Modello Duo has a generous water resistance of 300 meters.…
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05Jan 2017 by Martin Green No Comments
The LABB Strap: Serious Swiss Innovation

The LABB Strap: Serious Swiss Innovation

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Some worry that the Swiss have lost their touch to innovate. While this might be the case for some watch brands, the sense of innovation is still there. Check out this very innovative new strap developed by Noomoon called LABB for the Apple Watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZDiRjeIOow What makes this strap so great is that it is, in fact, a mix between a  velcro strap and a silicone strap. LABB uses FKM; a Swiss-made material that is odorless, incredibly supple and skin-friendly. But what is even more interesting is that it doesn't have a clasp. In the design of the watch incorporated are small diamond shaped holes and raised diamonds too. The two opposite strap ends clang into each other, and the strap is secured around the wrist. An ingenious and innovative…
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21Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Morimoto Edge: Different Design That Works

Morimoto Edge: Different Design That Works

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A lot of microbrand watches out there offer great products at competitive prices but are usually a variety on a familiar theme. Chronographs and diver watches seem to be the most popular, but also "design watches" hold quite a bit of the market. The vast majority (read about all of them) are minimalist designs, and that is why Edge is so exciting! When I first saw it, it reminded me of the golden age of creative watch design. In the 1950's and 1960's mainly the American watch companies created the most amazing designs, of which the Hamilton Ventura is perhaps the most famous. These designs were often asymmetrical, and so is the Edge. This watch is not an homage to the past. The hands and numerals are prominently placed on…
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20Déc 2016 by Jonathan Kopp No Comments
Introducing the MAEN Classic Moonphase Watch

Introducing the MAEN Classic Moonphase Watch

News
Moon phases play an important role in the natural world, so it’s quite logical that they are also important when it comes to the watch market. A friend of mine recently told me: “My next watch will definitely be a moon phase watch” and then, it was exactly at the same moment that the guys from MAEN Watches contacted me. The brand was launched by two Dutch guys living in Stockholm and the brand name “MAEN” is taken from an old Dutch word meaning Moon and is inspired by the Dutch ship, Halve Maen (Half Moon), that discovered what is known today as New York City back in September 1609. So in tribute to this ship, the founders of the brand decided to debut their collection with a classic moon…
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13Déc 2016 by Jonathan Kopp 1 Comment
Affordable at Auction: Rarities from Swatch

Affordable at Auction: Rarities from Swatch

News
Something special for Swatch collectors just before the holidays. Squiggly.com auctions 190 Swatch limited edition and early prototype in an online auction. The lots contain some very rare items. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Squiggly is a specialist dealer of vintage Swatch watches. They sell watches with official warranty, instructions, and original packaging. Although Swatch is in general quite an affordable watch, you can find at this auction some pieces going for more than what you are probably used to, which is the proof that a Swatch is a collectible item. At this auction, you can also buy some rare posters. In the 80’s Swatch was extremely active to get the name of the brand known everywhere. The marketing strategies were different on every continent. Something that was completely abandoned…
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08Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Lundis Bleus: The Elegance of Excellence

Lundis Bleus: The Elegance of Excellence

News
Many new micro brands pop up every year, and we cover quite a few here at Watchisthis?! Although many of them are quite refined, few reach the level of Lundis Bleus, especially not with their very first watch. Perhaps also not a fair comparison, because Johan Storni and Bastien Vuilliomenet are veterans of the Swiss watch industry, with experience working with brands that charge for a strap what Lundis Bleus wants for an entire watch. They poured all that experience into Lundis Bleus, but fortunate for us they also gave it a far more accessible price tag. The first thing that strikes you when you see the watch is that everything is custom made. Lundis Bleus is very straight forward in where their source their parts from, and which of…
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21Nov 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Zinvo Rose Gold Blade: Limited Edition Delight

Zinvo Rose Gold Blade: Limited Edition Delight

News
The Blade by Zinvo is already an eye-catching watch in its regular form, but with a rose gold plated finish even more so. Limited to 100 pieces Zinvo combines the rose gold plated case with a black dial and strap. This gives a pleasant contrast and makes the watch pop even more. Not that it needs it because the case is very well crafted and has some subtle details such as the screwed in lugs, and a rigged side of the case. Unfortunately, it is not the case its fault that the dial is the true center of attention of the Blade. Here a circle of fan-shaped hands gives the impression that you are looking into the blade of a jet engine. They cover most of the center of the…
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07Nov 2016 by Martin Green 2 Comments
FreakishWATCH!: Get Your Freak On!

FreakishWATCH!: Get Your Freak On!

News
Clever design meets elegant execution. Unlike its name might indicate, the FreakishWATCH is elegant and sophisticated, and far from a freak. In fact, it is one of those watches that makes you wonder what they were thinking when they made up the name. Fortunately, are names easily forgotten (especially when they are not engraved in the case or printed on the dial) and the design stays. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1220569765/freakishwatch The design is for sure the strong suit of this watch. The way it displays time is somewhat reminiscent of the MOTION I wrote about earlier. A disc covers most of the dial and shows only the hour that it is. The minutes are shown by a regular hand. It works quite nicely and looks great. When it is the full hour, the…
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06Nov 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
FEMÛR TRIQ: The Digital Triangle

FEMÛR TRIQ: The Digital Triangle

News
Digital watches still have a special appeal to them. Ever since they were introduced in the 1970's, they were here to stay. But the digital watches of today have very little in common with the digital watches of yesteryear. That is why the Triq by Femur is so interesting. The Triq is a triangle shaped watch; that seems to have two identical sides. However, one side has a heat reactive surface, and the other side shows the time. A simple tap with the finger gets the job done, and the time is displayed in bright, big dots. It reminds of the old digital watches, yet with a refreshing and modern twist. Those watches you also had to activate to see the time, to prevent excess battery drain, although back then…
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