The first day of Baselworld is always a big rush of meeting people and seeing lots and lots of interesting new watches. Here are already a few first impressions.

Last year Baselworld was a rush of only 3 days, absolutely not enough to see everything i’d like to see. This year i’m taking a few days extra to see the many beautiful new watches and speak to the watchmakers.

This morning i already got a closer look at the movement of the new MB&F Horological Machine 4 (HM4). The movement is developed by Laurent Besse and Bernard Reynard. An incredible movement with two barrels… and two crowns. However MB&F does not want to say (yet) what the function of the crowns is…. The big secret of how the new HM4 will look and which functions it has is yet to be revealed, probably mid 2010.

Usually you can see a watch ‘in the metal’, however this does not apply to the another beauty from MB&F, the Horological Machine 2 in sapphire. Making this sapphire edition of the HM2 was not an easy thing to do. The sapphire is 3.6 mm thick and all holes are drilled. A very delicate work, as 4 out of 5 crystals break during the drilling.

Later this afternoon is the official launch of the book The Hands of Time. Peter Speake-Marin initiated the idea to publish a book for the 25th anniversary of the Académie Horlogère Des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI). Long-time watch connoisseur and aficionado Ian Skellern got the honor (or difficult task) of writing the book.

The Watch Lounge has a report of the book The Hands of Time. I’m goign to buy a copy this afternoon and get it signed by the members of the Académie. The book is available via the special AHCI Book website for only 60 CHF or around 41 Euro.

Today the biggest watch show of the year starts, Baselworld 2010. Many, many watch brands will show their new watches to collectors and the press.

Like last year, Robert-Jan from Fratellowatches and I will go to Baselworld. In less than 2 hours we will drive south for an absolute über-nerd-watch-week. On my wrist is a d.m.h watch from the Dutch watchmaker Fred Dingemans, my d.m.h.

This year we will be there the whole week to meet representatives of watch brands. I’m looking forward to an exiting week of watches, watches and more watches. No, this is no punishment

I will focus on the independent haute horlogerie. And on saturday it’s finally time to receive my new MIH Watch!! I really can’t wait to see it in the metal and strap it on my wrist.

Stay tuned for more news !!

Independent watchmakers John and Stephen McGonigle will release the “Tuscar” featuring their new time-only in-house movement, calibre McG01.

With a bit more than a week to go before Baselworld 2010 starts, the number of new watches is overwhelming. Something of a complete different order is a new in-house caliber, especially if it comes from two very talented independent watchmakers!

John McGonigle says the goal was to create a time-only watch with a high focus on excellent timekeeping, a substantial power reserve, reliability and with superb finishing and decoration. The design had to have a clean coherent style and the principle mechanical elements had to be visible on the dial side. This was only possible if they developed their own movement from the ground up. And that’s what they did…

Caliber McG01 is a hand-wound movement with two mainspring barrels that provide a power reserve of 90 hours. It also features a free sprung balance spring with Breguet overcoil and a gold escape wheel, that functions without oil. To improve timekeeping stability they choose a balance with a large diameter (12.8 mm).

The Tuscar is limited to 10 pieces called ‘One of Ten’. This first series will be distinctive from models to follow by virtue of materials used in the movement, the design and shape of certain bridges, the type of finish of individual parts and the engraving. So if you’re interested i suggest you contact McGonigle fast!!

The Tuscar ‘One of Ten’ has a white gold case, measuring 42.5 mm and a transparent sapphire dial reveals the new caliber. The sapphire dial is a style feature that was also used on the McGonigle Tourbillon. Speaking of which…

This is the Tourbillon wristwatch that John and Stephen McGonigle released in 2007 at Baselworld. Later i will write more about these candidate members of the AHCI, their first watch and of course the new Tuscar ‘One of Ten’.

The high-end watch market shows some remarkable extremes. BIG brands, mostly part of large investment groups, and small independents… some observations.

Most well-known BIG brands are gathered under the wings of huge groups like LVMH, Richemont and the Swatch Group. And than there are the small independent watchmakers. Of course there are many, many differences although they all have more or less a similar goal… To make beautiful watches and sell them.

Of course there are differences… When it comes to numbers produced, advertising, development and design. These differences are subject for a series of  ‘Chronicles’ that will be published on Worldtempus.com. Part one can be read on Worldtempus.com to be followed by another one next week.

Have fun reading my latest Chronicle about Independent watch makers & the BIG names – part 1.