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In Memoriam: the great Jean-Marie Schaller passes away on May 16, 2026
It is with great sadness that we join the Schaller family and staff of Louis Moinet to mourn the loss of Jean-Marie Schaller.
Results for Marine Chronometer & The Longitude Problem
43,092 articles · 253 videos found · page 28 of 1445
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Monochrome
In-Depth - The Clock that Changed the World and the Fantastic Recreation of John Harrison’s H1
The replica of John Harrison’s H1 clock that the Stratford-upon-Avon-based Pragnell’s commissioned from Bob Bray of Sinclair Harding is a gloriously over-the-top tribute to an invention that was as significant an advance in the 18th century as the emergence of AI is today. Indeed, John Harrison’s H1 clock cracked the Longitude Problem, making navigation at […]
SJX Watches
In-Depth: Ferdinand Berthoud Tests the Limits of ‘Hand Made’
Few brands approach marine chronometer-style wristwatches with the intensity of Ferdinand Berthoud (FB). Fewer still have the capacity to produce a watch that is truly hand made. The brand has leaned into these strengths to good effect with the Naissance d’une Montre 3, which is perhaps the most labour-intensive wristwatch ever created. Marking the third official chapter of the Time Æon Foundation’s Naissance d’une Montre project, the Montre 3 is the byproduct of a six year quest to thoroughly document the steps required to make a chain and fusee wristwatch using only hand-operated tools. While the production of the Montre 3 involves more than 80 individuals from both FB and its parent Chopard, the labour involved equates to roughly a full year’s work for five people to produce each of the 11 pieces that will be made in the coming years. Initial thoughts It’s easy to feel jaded about the smoke and mirrors of luxury watch marketing, with terms like ‘hand made’ and ‘in-house’ used all too freely, making it difficult to separate the signal from the noise. Make no mistake, the Montre 3 is, in some ways, what all traditional haute horlogerie watches aspire to be, and takes the concept of hand craftsmanship to its absolute limit. The Montre 3 is neither inventive nor complicated, but the intrinsic quality of its construction is immediately obvious and breathtaking in its own right. To some extent, the simplicity of the 44.3 mm white gold case demonstrates the ...
Teddy Baldassarre
The 15 Best British Watch Brands (2026)
While Switzerland is regarded today as the world leader of watchmaking, Great Britain can lay claim to a wealth of horological milestones throughout its history as well. From Thomas Mudge’s development of the lever escapement in 1755 to John Harrison’s invention of the marine chronometer in 1759 to the innovations of clockmaker Thomas Tompion and his protegé George Graham in the areas of science and astronomy, England was an undisputed leader in timekeeping throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The 20th century brought the decline of the British Empire and, with it, British watchmaking, as nations like Switzerland, Germany, and (for a while) the United States stepped in with modern mass-production techniques while the Brits held fast to traditional, artisanal methods. The United Kingdom essentially ceased being a major producer of timepieces by the end of World War II, but as the 21st Century dawned, a handful of entrepreneurial Britons have made great strides in bringing high-end watchmaking back to their native land, establishing new brands - and in some cases, resurrecting old ones - to make watches that appeal to today’s discerning enthusiasts in the U.K. and across the world. Whether the focus is military-style tool watches, avant-garde complications at approachable prices, or ultra-high-end pieces for well-heeled collectors, each brand boasts an identity that is proudly British and at the same time distinct from its peers. Here are 15 British watch bran...
Monochrome
Introducing - The Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel in Strand Blue & Greenwich Green
John Arnold’s marine chronometers were vital tools for calculating longitude at sea, trusted by explorers like Captain James Cook and used by the East India Company’s fleets. This pioneering spirit lives on in the modern Arnold & Son’s Globetrotter line, showcasing the brand’s distinctive approach to functional, finely crafted world timers. Earlier references are available […]
Video
Ultimate Watch Microbrand Ranking! #affordablewatch #watchcollecting #watch
Ranking the best watch brands today to find out which ones actually earn an S-tier spot.
Monochrome
Introducing - The new IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph in Armor Gold
The Portugieser line is one of IWC’s iconic collections, tracing its origins back to the late 1930s when Portuguese businessmen sought precision marine chronometer-grade wristwatches with oversized cases and clear dials. Since then, the Portugieser family has evolved into a flagship line balancing classic elegance with technical prowess, blending clean, legible design with complications that […]
Monochrome
First Look - The Incredibly Light Ulysse Nardin Diver (Air)
Switzerland might be landlocked, but Ulysse Nardin, a young watchmaker from Le Locle, consolidated his reputation by producing precision marine chronometers. By the 1870s, the manufacture supplied more than 50 navies and merchant marine companies with chronometers to calculate longitude at sea. These days, Ulysse Nardin plays on its marine heritage with its classical Marine […]
Monochrome
Introducing - The Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11
Arnold & Son presents the limited edition Constant Force Tourbillon 11, a classical beauty inspired by the first tourbillon created by Abraham-Louis Breguet based on John Arnold’s marine chronometer movement no. 11. Reunited once again, the yellow gold watch, with a constant force mechanism on the dial and a tourbillon regulator on the caseback, is […]
Worn & Wound
It’s a Close Encounter of the Horological Kind with the New UFO Clocks from Ulysse Nardin
Eagle-eyed watch and horology enthusiasts are experiencing a close encounter of the third kind as Ulysse Nardin has dropped three new versions of its avant-garde UFO (Unidentified Floating Object) marine chronometer table clock. Based on the original UFO from 2021, the trio of new colors celebrates Ulysse Nardin’s special relationship with three famed retailers: Swiss-based Bucherer (Ice Blue), Japanese retailer Yoshida (Green), and The Hour Glass (Champagne) in Southeast Asia. The clocks are limited to 30 in each color and are available exclusively through these retailers. Ulysse Nardin commemorated its 175th anniversary back in the spring of 2021 by introducing the first series of UFOs in a batch of 75 examples in dark blue. All sold out quickly. In the fall of that year, at Only Watch, a unique one-off in orange hammered for an eye-watering CHF 380,000. Clearly, there was interest in this unapologetically futuristic take on the marine chronometer – once a crucial tool in navigation at sea and the pinnacle of precision timekeeping. Ulysse Nardin claims this is the fruit of two years of research and development in partnership with L’Épée, whom you may recognize as past collaborators with MB&F;. A closer look at the UFO reveals a product that builds on UN’s history as masters of the marine chronometer while pushing the boundaries of design and engineering. Aesthetically, the UFO is like a JLC Atmos clock that decided to let loose: the half-sphere base houses a tun...
Time+Tide
HANDS-ON: The new IWC Portugeiser Chronograph IW371620 is a near-perfect warm weather watch
The IWC Portugieser collection is rooted in both class and utility. It was an elegant solution, originally presented in 1939, due to demand for a marine-deck chronometer experience that could be translated into a wristwatch. It was oversized for its time – a rather sporty characteristic – but still every bit as elegant as its … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The new IWC Portugeiser Chronograph IW371620 is a near-perfect warm weather watch appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Video
Rolex Land-Dweller: Hit or Miss?
Is the Rolex Land-Dweller a hidden gem or a rare mistake from the crown? Today, we go hands-on with one of the most polarising watches in Rolex history.
Hodinkee
Happenings: Massimo Bonfigli And Jean-Christophe Sabatier To Lecture At The Horological Society Of New York
The duo from Ulysse Nardin will discuss the history of the marine chronometer, and the brand's specialization in manufacturing them.
SJX Watches
Ulysse Nardin Introduces the UFO Table Clock
Having made a name for itself in the early 20th century for its marine chronometers, Ulysse Nardin revisits its roots with the UFO, an intriguing table clock conceived to mark the brand’s 175th anniversary. Described as a “swinging mechanical depiction of the movement of the waves”, the UFO is as an avant-garde reinterpretation of the marine chronometer. It’s essentially a round-bottomed doll that will wobble and sway but never topple over, except it contains an impressive mechanical movement with a 365-day power reserve. Traditionally known for largely classical designs with the occasional twist, such as the Marine Torpilleur, Ulysse Nardin has been gravitating towards more boldly modern designs in recent years, exemplified by the Blast Tourbillon and the Freak X Silicium Marquetry. That experimental approach is now applied to the table clock in a collaboration with clock specialist L’Epée 1839, the supplier of choice for many watchmakers looking to get into exotic clocks. Initial thoughts Inspired by the oceans, the UFO sways when nudged, but remains upright thanks to a weighted base, creating an engaging display of timekeeping. And the UFO is practical as well, featuring three clock faces that can be set to different time zones, or to mirror each other. Granted, the UFO will have a very niche appeal, considering it’s a table clock with a complex design matched by a high price tag. Costing a whopping US$41,100, the UFO is almost double the price of L’Epé...
Time+Tide
HANDS-ON: The elegance and nuance of the IWC Portugieser 2020 Collection in the metal
Earlier this year, in April, the IWC Portugieser 2020 Collection was announced at Watches & Wonders. The Portugieser was created in 1939 due to a demand for a marine-deck chronometer experience that could be translated into a wristwatch. Legibility and accuracy are the two pillars that hold up the Portugieser line, and IWC has changed … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The elegance and nuance of the IWC Portugieser 2020 Collection in the metal appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: The IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, a new contender for the ultimate ‘one watch’
The story of the Portugieser begins with two businessmen from, you guessed it, Portugal. They went to IWC asking for a watch as accurate as a marine chronometer but could be worn on the wrist, something that hadn’t been done before by the brand. The only way the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer could meet the brief was … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, a new contender for the ultimate ‘one watch’ appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
In-Depth: The Microscopic Magic of H4, Harrison’s First Sea Watch
One can understand the opacity of the first published analysis of John Harrison’s first sea watch, colloquially known as H4 and the forerunner of the marine chronometer, in The Principles of Mr Harrison’s Time-keeper. Edited by the British Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne, it was published by the British government in 1767; and hereafter referred to as Principles. Principles was both incomplete of enough information to allow the duplication of the watch, which Harrison (1693-1776) started in 1755 and finished in 1759, and contained somewhat incoherent description that only makes sense a posteriori after examination of the watch. ‘Principles of Mr. Harrison’s Time-keeper’ Amazingly, it was one hundred years later the next review took place. I can echo Harrison M. Frodsham’s comments in his review in Horological Journal of May 1878 when he said, “Former explanations taken from Harrison’s description are necessarily unsatisfactory, as his was very obscure, probably purposely so.” Although this may be dismissed as 19th Century gossip by some scholars, this may have arisen in part to protect any military advantage, given the importance of H4 to maritime navigation. Considering H4’s historical performance, it is odd that the otherwise comprehensive A Treatise on Modern Horology in Theory and Practice (2ndedition) by Claudius Saunier, published in 1887, barely mentions Harrison and certainly not H4’s technical content. Perhaps it was because it was so quic...
Video
New M.A.D.Editions M.A.D.3 Vincent Calabrese from MB&F | Hands On Review
MB&F’s M.A.D.Editions is back with its third model, but for Zach the M.A.D.Editions M.A.D.3 Vincent Calabrese might just rank first. What does the new design feature? Who is the friend the brand collaborated with? H...
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: The IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic lives up to its name
In 1939 when two Portuguese merchants approached IWC about making a wristwatch with the same levels of accuracy usually seen in marine chronometer pocket watches, they had no idea it would be the beginning of a legend and the birth of one of IWC’s most popular collections. With a new slightly revised design, IWC have launched … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic lives up to its name appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Quill & Pad
Gumball Rally/Around-the-World-in-80-Days/24 Hours of Le Mans: Here’s a Proposal for a Real-Life International Chronometry Competition that Both Brands and Collectors might Enjoy
Ian Skellern's suggestion for an International Chronometry Competition is a group of well-heeled collectors – brands/independents are also welcome to participate, but I suspect they will wait to see how it goes – set off from, say, Geneva, but could be New York, Dubai, or Singapore, wearing one or two watches, on a two-week world tour. Here he explains how it might work.
Hodinkee
In-Depth: The Horological Art of the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud Régulateur Squelette FB RS
A stunning limited edition from Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud
Monochrome
Introducing - Henri Grandjean & Cie Unveils the Magician Atrivm Green Sapphire and Atrivm Red Sapphire
Henri Grandjean (1803-1879) was a master watchmaker from Le Locle, renowned for his precision marine chronometers and for his pioneering role in Swiss chronometry. The name was recently revived by entrepreneur and collector Sohail Aziz and positioned as an independent brand specialising in exquisite high-end contemporary haute horlogerie. Making an impressive debut, Henri Grandjean & […]
Monochrome
First Look - Chapter Two in the Revival of L. Leroy with the New Elyor Flying Tourbillon
Parisian watchmaking maison L. Leroy was founded by Basile-Charles Le Roy in 1785 and became the official watchmaker to King Louis XVI and later to Napoleon I and Queen Victoria. Expanding operations to Switzerland, L. Leroy produced marine chronometers for the French Navy and amassed 384 gold medals in chronometry competitions. Iconic masterpieces like the […]
Video
Small Wrist? This 36mm Oris Pointer Date Is PERFECT
Is the 36mm Oris Big Crown Pointer Date the ultimate first luxury watch for a smaller wrist? For around £1,200 pre-owned, it offers a perfect blend of heritage style and wearability. In this unboxing, we look at why...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Are Chronometers Even Worth It? We Tested 5 of the Best To Find Out
We put COSC, METAS, Rolex, Grand Seiko, and Glashütte chronometers to the test. Here’s what certification actually means on the wrist.
SJX Watches
Understanding the Vacheron Constantin Solaria with Christian Selmoni and Jean-Marie Bouquin
SJX recently visited Vacheron Constantin and sat down with Christian Selmoni, style and heritage director, and head of speciality watchmaking, Jean-Marie Bouquin, to discuss the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication, the most complicated wristwatch yet made. Mr Bouquin led the development of Solaria, and assembled it, creating a wristwatch that’s a worthy follow-up to the most complicated portable timepiece ever, the Berkley Grand Complication that was launched just last year. That in turn broke the record set by Vacheron Constantin in 2015 with the ref. 57260 “Tivoli”. They discussed the intricacies and innovation in the Solaria, including its modular “plug and play” perpetual calendar, and the implications for future Les Cabinotiers projects, as well as the novel star-tracking chronograph, and the benefits of using silicon for the spokes of the balance wheel. They also touched on the absence of a grande et petite sonnerie.
Monochrome
Introducing - The New Ulysse Nardin Diver Hammerhead Shark Limited Edition
Few brands are as deeply embedded in maritime chronometry as Ulysse Nardin. With nearly 180 years of watchmaking heritage, the brand’s ties to all things nautical find expression in the more classical Marine collection and the brazenly contemporary Diver family. Following the 2018 relaunch of the Diver Chronometer 44mm series and a series of Diver […]
Fratello
Will The Future Rolex Manufacture Solve Your “Pepsi” Problems?
When we talk about Rolex, we talk about huge numbers. According to Bloomberg, last year, Rolex produced 1.24 million timepieces with sales of CHF 10.1 billion. That wasn’t enough to get people their desired “Pepsi” GMT-Master IIs, though. The future Rolex manufacture, about which the brand issued its first official press release, might change that. […] Visit Will The Future Rolex Manufacture Solve Your “Pepsi” Problems? to read the full article.
Hodinkee
Pre-Owned Picks: Two Time Zones, Two Hour Hands, Zero Problems. The GMT Watch.
Traveling across timezones for the holidays? Grab a GMT, a watch that's built for the task.
Video
Novak Djokovic on Hublot, Grand Slams & Why Wearing a Watch on Court is Harder Than You Think
Novak Djokovic. 24 Grand Slams. 101 titles. And a philosophy on winning that sounds a lot like the best kind of watchmaking — obsessive, precise, and always building toward something greater. Ahead of the 2026 US Op...