The 1950s were a turbulent time. After WWII, many parts of the world enjoyed a rapid recovery, and after the horrors of the war, progress and prosperity became possible once more. We also see this back in the watches from that era, which offer sleek designs with charismatic dials, often offering style with a sportive touch. Such a watch is also the Silver Arrow, launched by Longines in 1956 and now revived again.

The Grande Seconde has always been an essential model in the collection of Jaquet Droz because it represents, in many ways, the essence of the brand. With its clean design and oversized sub-dial for the seconds, is it a watch that is instantly recognizable. The Grande Seconde Quantième added to that a date indicator, which Jaquet Droz incorporated in the design in such a way that it adds even more charisma. A tempting watch was the result, but with a diameter of 43mm, also a watch that was rather generous in size.

Because the chronograph is one of the most prevalent complications, the variety among them is nearly endless. To create something different and appealing proves to be quite the task, especially when it also has to be in line with the brand's DNA. Jaquet Droz solved this by giving its Grande Seconde Chronograph, literally, a twist.

There is something extremely tricky about being a Swiss watch brand and using very progressive, close to experimental technology in the wristwatches that you actually sell to the public. Even when extensively tested, the technology can malfunction in the client's watch, and also when fixed, reputations are often damaged. Yet this didn't stop Ulysse Nardin from launching their 'Freak' model in 2001. It would be the first of a lineage of watches that is now close to two decades in the making. It was and still is, a watch in which Ulysse Nardin boldly brought cutting technology to the wrists of their fans.

There are progressive brands, and then there is Ulysse Nardin. While it is, in essence, a classic manufacture, it uses the Swiss watchmaking tradition as a foundation to innovate and push the envelope. This has resulted not only in many progressive watches, with equally innovative movements, but also in introducing new materials in the world of watchmaking. Haute Time sat down with Stéphane von Gunten, Ulysse Nardin's Research and Innovation Director, to discuss the latest developments.

When you say Villeret, you touch the essence of Blancpain. With its double stepped bezel did it play an important role in the revival of not only Blancpain itself, but that of the Haute Horlogerie as a whole. This is even more so with the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel 6656, as the brand has been known especially since its rebirth in 1983 by Jean-Claude Biver and Jacques Piguet, for its calendar watches.

In the world of watchmaking, Breguet has its own realm. Few can match the impact the founding father of the brand, Abraham-Louis Breguet, had on the history of timekeeping. We spoke with Marc A. Hayek, Breguet's president & CEO, about the brand's unique position in the marketplace, and how it achieves to have the past, present and future are united in their watches.

We know the past and the present of Panerai so well, yet by revealing the LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Angelo Bonati, the brands illustrious CEO, shows us part of the future of the brand.

Haute Time visited the US Corporate Headquarters of Ulysse Nardin and took a look at the latest Anchor Escapement prototype...