Last year was already our most productive year when it comes to video content, but this year we did it again and then some! We have published almost 100 videos and generated almost 6 million views on our channel, which is just incredible. We have created countless video reviews and a large number of in-depth videos over the years to give you as much of a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most amazing watches as possible. Looking back, choosing our favorites for 2025 is quite a challenge, even if there are some very obvious choices! Here is our “Best Of” selection, all dedicated to the watchmaking craft we care about!
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Chronograph RD#5, a total reinterpretation
Audemars Piguet went back to the drawing board of the chronograph mechanism and developed a sophisticated system to improve the concept of measuring elapsed time. The Royal Oak Jumo Chronograph RD#5 is the result of five years of development and construction, and it's quite remarkable what the AP team has produced. Of course, the RD#5's movement is housed in a classic Royal Oak jumbo case and uses a system of cams and levers based on the catch-and-release principle of a retrograde display to drive the chronograph's kinetic chain. This is all pretty darn clever and is explained in our detailed video:
The Schwarz-Etienne Manufactory, a true jewel of integrated watchmaking
While big brands tend to steal the spotlight, we try to shine a spotlight on some of the industry's lesser-known but extremely interesting names whenever we can. The Schwarz-Etienne Manufactory is one such name and a true jewel of watchmaking art as it does practically everything in-house. The brand is even able to produce its own coil springs, which is a real rarity in the industry. The movements are modular, allowing complications and components to be swapped out to create manual or micro-rotor automatic watches, or even incorporating a tourbillon regulator if necessary. Watch the full video of this wonder of independent watchmaking below:
Ferdinand Berthoud Birth of a Watch 3, the absolute best of this year
Few watches have left such a lasting impression on us as the Ferdinand Berthoud Naissance d'Une Montre 3. Supported by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and the Time Æon Foundation, this passion project is an absolute masterpiece of traditional watchmaking and has taken more than 11,000 hours to create over a six-year period. Literally everything is made by hand, in the most traditional sense of craftsmanship. Some techniques even had to be relearned to achieve the best possible execution. The design is typical Berthoud, but the Naissance d'Une Montre is much more than “just” a watch. It is a testament to the craft that aims to preserve and protect it for future generations and for this we can only express our admiration. Check out the full video of this outstanding watch here:
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, definitely the thinnest watch in the world
How is the world's thinnest tourbillon watch made? We've asked ourselves this question many times and this year Bulgari gave us an answer with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon. With a height of just 1.85mm, the Bulgari team has managed to do the unthinkable and create a masterpiece of modern watchmaking. In our in-depth video about the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, now the thinnest tourbillon watch in the world, Fabrizio Buonomassa Stigliani and Philippe Stark walked us through the creation of this watch and the biggest challenges the team had to overcome:
The fascinating world of Minerva, a hidden wonder in the Jura Mountains
When it comes to manufacturers that deserve all the attention they receive, Minerva is another one of those often overlooked gems of traditional watchmaking. The company is owned by Montblanc and operates from its historic factory in Villeret. Yet despite this ownership, Minerva does most things largely on its own, keeping the watchmaking tradition alive with beautiful handcrafted movements. Prime examples of Minerva's unique approach to watchmaking include the 1858 Split-Seconds Chronograph and the 1858 Unveiled Minerva Chronograph. In this in-depth video, we learn more about its history and craftsmanship from Global Managing Director Laurent Lecampe:
The IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 Black Ceramic, a more subtle interpretation of an icon
Black makes you slim, as the saying goes, and in watchmaking this is proven by the understated Ingenieur Automatic 42 Black Ceramic from IWC. Surprisingly, the Black Ceramic edition is up to 42mm larger than its 40mm stainless steel and gold siblings, and actually looks and wears smaller than it is. It also represents a unique interpretation of the legendary Ingenieur, combining not only Gérald Genta's design legacy, but also the brand's pioneering spirit in the field of ceramic watchmaking. In this video we learn more about the what and why behind the Ingenieur Automatic 42 Black Ceramic and the challenges it presented:
Zenith GFJ Caliber 135, the revival of a legendary caliber
Birthdays are meant to be celebrated, and to mark its 160th anniversary, Zenith has decided to bring back the venerable Caliber 135. The Caliber 135 is a remarkable movement from the golden age of observatory chronometry competition and deserves every praise it receives. In an exclusive edition of 10 watches, the GFJ Caliber 135 houses restored 135-O movements produced between 1949 and 1962. Housed in platinum and featuring a dial crafted by master Kari Voutilainen, the GFJ (for Georges Favre-Jacquot, the founder of Zenith) is a magnificent journey back in time. In this detailed video we explained why this is such a special watch and, above all, such a legendary movement:
Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Spin Time Collection, revised and remastered
Since Jean Arnault took over as head of Louis Vuitton's watch department, we have seen a dramatic change in the approach to craftsmanship. Using the capabilities of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, all important collections were gradually dusted off, polished and redesigned. One of the most eye-catching new releases was the Tambour Taiko Spin Time collection. The collection includes the Taiko Spin Time, the Taiko Spin Time Air, the Taiko Spin Time Antipode (the world time watch that is brilliant!) and the Taiko Spin Time Flying Tourbillon, which features the iconic rotating 12-cube display. Our editor Brice explained all about the history of the Spin Time concept as well as the variations within the collections in this detailed video:
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