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Anders Modig Davin

Sometimes more is more. Using two rather than one balance wheel improves precision. While having unique technical solutions, the twin escapements are connected. Thus the error in rate that all mechanical watches have is mechanically or physically averaged out – and hey presto, your watch is more precise while having a distinct and spectacular feature.
1. Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité

Czapek’s Place Vendôme Complicité is a collaboration by two fathers who got to know each other in a schoolyard in Neuchâtel where their children attended the same school: Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie., and Grand Prix-winning watchmaker Bernhard Lederer. And just as the two men formed a friendship, the two balance wheels and escapements work in tandem, evening out each other’s rate variation via a differential seen at 12 o’clock.
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2. MB&F HM 9 Flow

The sci-fi-themed MB&F Horological Machines often have double features displayed in sapphire domes jutting up from their playful designs. For the HM9 Flow, the twin balance wheels are placed at the back of a complex sapphire crystal case reminiscent of an aerodynamic jet engine. As always with MB&F, the handmade finishes and horological performance are of top-notch quality, with a central “gearbox” featuring a planetary differential that averages the output of both balances.
3. F.P. Journe Chronomètre á Résonance

François-Paul Journe added his salt to dual-balance horology with the Chronomètre á Résonance. For its 20th anniversary (in 2020), he presented a new version of the movement based on the natural phenomenon of resonance discovered in the 17th century: two bodies vibrating at a similar frequency automatically strive towards a common frequency. For added chronometric performance, F.P. Journe added a remontoir d’égalité, which ensures the energy released from the mainspring remains the same throughout its cycle.
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4. Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition Green

Armin Strom has developed proprietary technology in the Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition Green. The Resonance Clutch Spring directly connects the hairsprings, ensuring the vibrations of the two balance wheels cancel each other out, enhancing precision. As long as the movement is running, that is – Armin Strom has not yet cracked how to produce perpetual motion!
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5. Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Convexe

The Double Balancier Convexe from Greubel Forsey, famous for its horological inventions and for hand-polishing every component possible, has its two balance wheels inclined at 30 degrees to optimise performance. This limited edition of 88 timepieces is available with a titanium or carbon case.
6. Philippe Dufour Duality

Finally, it should be mentioned that living legend Philippe Dufour was the first watchmaker to miniaturise the principle of double-balanced pocket watch movements from the 1930s. With the Duality, one can look through the sapphire exhibition caseback to see the two balance wheels. These pioneering watches are extremely sought after – in 2021 one of them was auctioned for US$3.66 million.


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XXIV

6 timepieces with twin balance wheels for 2024: from MB&F’s futuristic HM9 Flow to Armin Strom’s shot at perpetual motion, these watches blend enhanced mechanical precision with spectacular visual appeal

From left to right: Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité; Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Convexe; MB&F HM 9 Flow. Photos: Handout

Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité 

MB&F HM9 Flow

F.P. Journe Chronomètre á Résonance

Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition Green

Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Convexe

Philippe Dufour Duality

Bronze watches are back: Panerai and Tudor craft modern titans of time, while Bell & Ross add an avant-garde twist, as the historic heavy metal leads statement timepiece trends in 2o24

The Bell & Ross Cyber Skull Bronze is a typically striking new model that makes full use of the metal now seeing a resurgence of interest from watchmakers. Photo: Handout

The Gerald Genta Gefica watch was inspired by the shapes and colours of the African landscape. Photo: SCMP

One of Panerai’s famous bronze models: the 47mm Submersible Bronzo PAM00968. Photo: Handout

The new Tudor Black Bay 58 comes with a bronze or fabric strap. Photo: Handout

Tudor Black Bay 58. Photo: Handout

Bell & Ross Cyber Skull bronze watch. Photo: Handout

Can’t afford a luxury watch? These cardboard copies might do – meet the Hong Kong artist making playful art models of Rolex, Richard Mille and Patek Philippe luxury timepieces

Hong Kong-based artist Gabe Lau, founder of Labeg, creates playful cardboard copies of real luxury watches, such as these Rolex “fakes”. Photos: Handout

The Ulysse Nardin Freak One watch recreated by artist Gabe Lau at Watches and Wonders 2023

Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet watches recreated by artist Gabe Lau and displayed on a wall

Watch artist Gabe Lau of Labeg, shot by Ricky Nyhoff

A Rolex watch recreated by artist Gabe Lau of Labeg

Artist Gabe Lau of Labeg working on one of his creations

A Cartier watch recreated by artist Gabe Lau of Labeg

Inside Hong Kong’s newly inclusive watch collecting community: how members’ clubs Watch Ho & Co. and The Horology Club are making timepieces cool – and accessible – for millennials and Gen Z

Watch collectors gather to share knowledge and admire each other’s watches at The Horology Club’s 2nd anniversary. Photo; Freeman Chiu

Mingling was key at Watch Ho & Co.’s launch party in May. Photo: Anson Wong

Founder Jackie Ho speaks at Watch Ho & Co.’s launch party in May. Photo: Anson Wong

A grand pile of spectacular timepieces at the Watch Ho & Co summer get-together. Photo: Anson Wong

Hustle and bustle at the Watch Ho & Co. summer get-together. Photo: Handout

From left to right, The Horology Club founders Carlos Pang, Johnathan Chan and Helbert Tsang at the club’s second anniversary celebration. Photo: Freeman Chiu

The Horology Club’s Johnathan Chan moderates a panel of (left to right): A Watch Company director Louis Yeung; BCHH founder Benjamin Chee; CEO of distributor Swiss Prestige Jacqueline Ng; and independent watch critic and educator watch professor Carson Chan. Photo: Freeman Chiu

Attendees at the Watch Ho & Co. launch party in May 2023. Photo: Anson Wong

Attendees listening intently to a panel talk at The Horology Club’s second anniversary party. Photo: Freeman Chiu

Co-founder Carlos Pang celebrates with The Horology Club members at the second anniversary festivities. Photo: Freeman Chiu

Fashion watches are having a moment – from Demna’s Balenciaga choker to Fendi’s Mary Jane pumps, and fun timepiece collabs between luxury brands and Timex, Seiko and more

Putting the fun in function, fashion watches are having a moment, such as this product of the recent Timex and Jacquie Aiche collaboration. Photo: Handout

Julia Fox in a watch outfit at a Pandora event during New York Fashion Week in September. Photo: Handout

Giuseppe Zanotti stilettos with watches for straps. Photo: Handout

Timex x Jacquie Aiche watch collaboration. Photo: Handout

How pocket watches got cool again, from ‘watchtok’ to Peaky Blinders – first invented in 1510 and treasured by James Dean, pocket-sized timepieces on a chain (still) make great conversation starters

When everyone has a smartphone anyway, why not make your watch a real conversation starter? From vintage gangster movies to the #pocketwatch TikTok trend, nothing quite says suave like a dial on a chain, as evidenced in this Hamilton model. Photo: Handout

A Breguet pocket watch from the exhibition “Pocket Genius” at the Horological Society of New York. Photo: Handout

A pocket watch can easily be paired with jeans. Photo: Hamilton

James Dean, on the set of the classic East of Eden in 1954, in California, sporting his pocket watch for luck. Photo: Getty Images

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Sci-fi meets haute horology on MB&F’s HM9 Flow – the design, with twin balance wheels at the back of a sapphire crystal case, recalls an aerodynamic jet engine
Philippe Dufour was the first watchmaker to miniaturise the double-balanced pocket watch movement, and its pioneering Duality is so rare that one of them was auctioned for US$3.66 million


Twin balance wheels serve a dual purpose – improved accuracy and often, spectacular visual appeal, as some of these timepieces show


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