The time that ladies watches where smaller men's watches with diamonds added is long gone. Today they often unite several different crafts into a single creation, being a driving force of the Métier d'arts and quite frequently powered by sophisticated, mechanical movements. In some form follows function, yet always with an elegant touch, while others do it the other way around. This makes the world of women's watches so incredibly diverse, as perhaps even more with men's watches are the only boundaries the imagination and capabilities of the maker. That this result in exceptional watches was also proven this year with these stunning creations;

A refined mechanical movement, preferably fitted with an exciting complication; for a long time, this was nearly non-existant within a ladies watch. A quartz-powered smaller version of a men's watch, usually with some diamonds added, was how many of them looked. But fortunately, times change, and these days there are more and more interesting ladies watches with beautiful movements, some even purposely made for them. The following four watches most certainly set the pace in this category.

The biennial Only Watch charity auction is gearing up for the 2019 edition, slated to take place in November. For those who are not familiar with this event, Only Watch auctions off one-of-a-kind models created by some of the best watch brands in the business with proceeds going to fund research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

MB&F is no stranger to making unexpected and whimsical timepiece creations (or as the brand likes to like to call them, horological machines). Although young by watchmaking standards, the 14-year old company boasts an impressive archive of mechanical marvels shaped like robots, sea creatures, spaceships, and more. Now, in perhaps their most surprising move yet, MB&F releases its first ladies’ timepiece—and it is a beauty!

It was hard to know what to expect, as so much would be different this year at Baselworld. With the attending brands now down to just over a hundred, the show is more compact, yet the new fair management also took the opportunity to make good use of this space. Greenery, indoor ponds and more luxurious culinary options have given the fair a more upscale appearance, one that is matched by the amazing watches that are presented here!

In the luxury watch space, a brand’s long history is often touted as an advantage as it signals experience, longevity, and continued relevance. Some of the most recognized fine timepiece houses are well over a century old and some are even more than two. Yet, as old as watchmaking is, there’s always room for new companies with fresh ideas.

With MB&F you sometimes wonder how they can move on to the next watch based on their past creations. As both their designs as well as their movements are cutting edge, it is hard to see the next logical step, at least when you name is not Maximilian Büsser and you founded the brand. The challenge is to not only offer a new watch with an incredible wow-factor but also to inject it with sufficient MB&F-DNA and have it as a natural extension of the current collection. With the introduction of the new MB&F HM9, we can say once again; mission accomplished!

As so many other industries do, does also the watch industry have trends. In terms of colors black, silver and white rule supreme, with a strong position for blue as well. Green, however, is definitely up and coming, taking a more prominent place among the collections of a wide variety of brands. It might be the color, but this almost always results in very charismatic creations of which these four will make quite a few people also green with envy if you are wearing one!

You always have more fun when with friends, especially when they are working in the watch industry and your name is Maximilian Büsser. In the past 13 years he, together with his friends, has delighted us with the most extraordinary watches. With the synergy that he created with MB&F technical innovation and aesthetic excellence was achieved. When he starts a project all involved don't think outside the box; they simply ignore the fact that there is a box in the first place. This has propelled MB&F to the forefront of independent watchmakers and made it even harder for us to name our favorites!

While MB&F can be a brand of radical changes, with horological creations that often tantalize the senses of watch connoisseurs by boldly going where no watch brand has gone before, they are also the brand of evolution. Once another whole new creation leaves they workshops they take time to explore the possibilities of this model, often with a little help from their friends.

We sat down with Maximilian Büsser to talk about how his haute watch brand, MB&F, rose to the top of modern luxury watchmaking.

Among other complications, the power reserve indicator always seems to be a bit dull. You do not have the continuous motion of a tourbillon, the playfulness of a chronograph, or the imposing look of a big date. However, many watch connoisseurs have a secret, or not so secret, crush on this complication. Where there was a time when a 48-hour power reserve was the most of it, now even the most common watches sport five days or more, and some might only take winding once a month. That gives the power reserve indicator a whole new level of excitement, especially since many brands now also display it in a far more creative way!

For quite some time now, there is a trend of putting balance wheels out in the open. Not only does this add the obvious spectacle to a watch, but it also highlights exactly what makes a mechanical watch so interesting: its beating heart. With their Legacy Machine's MB&F gave the balance wheel center stage and with the new Split Escapement, this show is elevated to new heights!

Many watch manufacturers use their watches to do good. They create special, often limited, editions dedicated to a variety of worthy causes to which they donate the proceeds. These watches often stand out, due to unique designs or special engravings, as the three watches below show. Oh, and the fourth one? That is a special case that we simply had to include in this line-up!

After part 1 it is time to take a closer look at some more watches that will be going under the hammer for the ONLY WATCH 2017 charity auction.

A power reserve indicator is more than a handy reminder when to wind your watch, it can become an eye-catching part of its design. These are some of Haute Time's favorite watches with a power reserve.