Five independent watch brands that should be on your radar

The world of horology is always evolving. And with the ascent of independent watch brands, it has never been more exciting. Not only does it show that the number of watch enthusiasts is increasing, but also that people are looking further afield — beyond the classic heavyweights like Rolex and Cartier. Here, we take a look at five of the most exciting independent watch brands that are shaking up the haute horology scene. These are the watches you should be looking out for.MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL

Moser & Cie is an example of an exciting independent Swiss brand coming onto the scene: its Streamliner Small Seconds Blue Enamel won the Time Only award at this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). It features a translucent aqua blue fumé Grand Feu enamel dial housed in a new slim 39mm steel case with integrated bracelet. Equipped with the contemporarily finished HMC 500 automatic micro-rotor manufacture movement, it is simple yet discreetly refined, high-performance watchmaking.

h-moser.comPARMIGIANI FLEURIER TORIC CHRONOGRAPH RATTRAPANTE

Parmigiani Fleurier draws its expertise from its founder’s remarkable restoration skills, making it an indie brand to watch out for. The Toric Chronograph Rattrapante watch, limited to just 30 pieces, is crafted in 18ct rose gold. This integrated movement is a “racing machine” which beats at a high frequency (5Hz) and incorporates a double column wheel. Its structural elements are skeletonised and suggest an arabesque, leaving ample room for visual appreciation of its moving components. 

parmigiani.comGERALD CHARLES MAESTRO 2.0 ULTRA-THIN 39MM MEN’S WATCH BROWN

Gerald Charles is becoming one of the best watchmakers in the business and their Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin 39mm Men’s watch is the perfect example of a sleek and stylish timepiece. This watch, based on one of Gerald Charles’s original creations, has a chocolate brown sunburst dial and vulcanised rubber strap which features the Clous de Paris motif on the top side and the brand’s logo tapisserie on the other. Thanks to the watch’s sunburst finish, different layers of colour emerge on the dial depending on the light it reflects.

 geraldcharles.comJACOB & CO ROSE GOLD OPERA GODFATHER

Jacob & Co is easily one of the most exciting and innovative independent brands of today. And nothing demonstrates this more than their music playing Rose Gold Opera Godfather watch. The watch is inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather. The 49mm case contains visual, symbolic and graphic elements directly taken from the movie. It has a miniature sculpture of Don Vito Corleone sitting on his chair, the puppeteer strings from the movie poster, a piano, and a violin-shaped crank as a reference to the Nino Rota soundtrack, whose main theme the music box plays on demand. 

jacobandco.com BOVET RÉCITAL 28 PROWESS 1

Bovet is the second independent brand on this list that won big at the 2024 GPHG. Their Récital 28 Prowess 1 watch won the Mechanical Exception prize, which rewards watches that feature a special and sophisticated mechanism – and for good reason. This incredible timepiece features a unique and adjustable world time on rollers and is the first mechanical timepiece to solve the Daylight Saving Time problem. It also has an expanded flying tourbillon and unique perpetual calendar indications and a patented function isolator to protect the perpetual calendar from incorrect manipulation. 

bovet.com

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