Indie Watchmakers Enjoy the Challenge of Low-Price Models
M.A.D.2 — created by the respected designer Eric Giroud and introduced in March — also appeared to be radical, exotic and, by implication, expensive. But just like its predecessor, the timepiece was priced at 2,900 Swiss francs ($3,655), plus tax — roughly a 20th of the cost of the cheapest watch in MB&F's established collections.
MB&F is not the only high-end watch brand with more affordable options, however: In Japan, Hajime Asaoka created Kurono Tokyo; Stepan Sarpaneva of Finland has S.U.F. Helsinki; and the Dutch watchmaking brothers Tim and Bart Grönefeld introduced Grøne in November. Theo Auffret has lent his expertise to SpaceOne, a line of sci-fi theme watches at 1,500 to 3,000 euros ($1,760 to $3,525), and Raúl Pagès, who won the inaugural Louis Vuitton watch prize in 2024, has collaborated with Massena LAB on midprice designs.
Yet apparently these lower-end efforts haven't dented the prestige of their makers' costlier creations. So what, other than price, do fans find so compelling?
'With independent brands, the link to the maker is so important,' said Gary Getz, a well-known collector in California who has watches from several such brands. 'I could see how the same people who come up with MB&F's Horological Machines would have the imagination to come up with the M.A.D.1 or the M.A.D.2. There's a family resemblance.'
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Meet HANA: The J-Pop Group You Want To Say "Yes" To
In October 2024, BMSG x CHANMINA Girls Group Audition Project 2024 No No Girls premiered in Japan on YouTube, Hulu, and NTV. The music survival series was focused on forming a girl group around women who have been rejected or told 'no' by the entertainment industry, society, or themselves. Nothing else mattered – no weight, height, or age, just their voice. Produced by Japanese-Korean rapper CHANMINA and BMSG's CEO SKY-HI, they had over 7,000 applications from all over the world, but only 30 made it onto the show. The series was arduous and emotional. Several contestants were eliminated with each round, building more pressure among the remaining group. But, at the end of the competition in January, only seven women were chosen to form HANA – Chika, Naoko, Jisoo, Yuri, Momoka, Koharu, and Mahina. Signed to CHANMINA's No Label Music and Sony Music Japan's Mastersix Foundation, Hana debuted in April with their single, 'ROSE.' It became a hit in Japan, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. Since then, the girls have been releasing more hit singles, performing at festivals such as Taiwan's Central Music & Entertainment Festival and Summer Sonic, and holding fan meets for their 'HONEYs' – their fandom name. The group has been enjoying the experiences of meeting fans and performing, and is excited for more to come. 'We've been doing well,' Mahina says through an interpreter over Zoom. 'We've been eating lots of great food and sleeping a lot as well.' The girls have a brief break before heading to their next festival performance in Tokyo. It's 11 am in Tokyo when the girls join the Zoom interview. They look refreshed and dressed comfortably as if they're preparing for dance practice. They are all smiles, waving at the camera as we were in the same room. They shared that they just had Thai food for lunch. After watching several of their performance videos, it's hard to believe anyone could say 'no' to these girls. Their energy could be felt through the screen with their singles, '... Drop,' 'ROSE,' 'Burning Flower,' and their latest single, 'Blue Jeans.' Yet, each member has faced a moment of rejection, told throughout the competition series. It's inspiring to see how much they wanted this. Jisoo, who hails from Korea, applied for the competition because 'she was not a big fan of herself in Korea.' As a former K-pop trainee, she believed she could become a completely different person in a new country. So, she auditioned for No No Girls and found herself. 'Through the audition, I am able to rely on the other teammates and producers,' says Jisoo. 'Now, I am the same me, but I'm a big fan of myself now, thanks to the audition.' Many were intrigued by the concept of the competition, especially Koharu, who had a dance background but no singing or rapping experience before the audition. Yet, she loved the idea that the core of the program was to find your voice and tell your story. 'It was about looking inwards or looking at who you really are inside,' Koharu says. 'I was very hopeful for what this audition could be, recognizing who you are. I felt this approach would be able to help me grow and show who I am as a person.' They all felt a lot of pressure throughout the competition, especially during their final performance, which was a concert in front of 20,000 people at K-Arena Yokohama. 'When I found out I made the final lineup, I felt a lot of pressure,' Yuri admits. 'I lacked a little bit of confidence at that stage and didn't feel like I was going to make it. But, when I did, I thought, 'Well, I just have to go with this.' I began seeing [everything] in a more positive light and was able to bring this positivity moving forward.' Chika, who trained at Avex Artist Academy Fukuoka and EXPG Fukuoka, and was a finalist in Little Glee's Monster Audition, has participated in several music survival programs. She constantly thought about whether she would make it or get cut. But, with No No Girls, she had to put all of those negative thoughts aside to make her final performance even more exciting. 'My mind was pure blank when I was selected [for HANA],' Chika laughs. 'I had the most confidence. I believe in CHANMINA and SKY-HI so much that I realized that my life from now on was going to be centered and moving forward in a great direction.' Koharu felt the same pressure as Chika, worrying whether she would make it or whether she was good enough. It was only when she performed solo that she felt she was truly allowed to express herself, and she received positive feedback for that performance. 'I was laser-focused on this performance,' says Koharu. 'I was able to release myself in a way. With the final selection, I really got to enjoy that moment being [selected]. I realized when you're having fun from the bottom of your heart and just really focused on something, dreams do come true.' The youngest of the group at 16, Mahina, didn't think much about the cutting process, but took the entire competition as a learning experience in her craft. When she was selected for the final group, she felt a confidence boost, which made her realize she had her own color and voice that only she could express. 'I want to become an artist who is loved by the entire world,' Mahina shares. '[In the audition], I was getting to know different types of music that I didn't know before. I was inspired by seeing everybody's performances and learning and growing a lot.' Nakao, who is of Thai-Japanese descent, also felt she had a great deal to learn about music and the industry, something she had never experienced before. Initially, she felt alone after moving from Osaka to Tokyo for the competition. However, she felt a sense of connection with her fellow participants, seeing how everyone was helping one another. 'I didn't think anybody noticed I was hiding in the bathroom, but Koharu found me,' says Nakao. 'I thought, 'Okay, I have to tell somebody [how I'm feeling.]' When I did, I was accepted. And, watching [everybody's performances], their words resonated with me. I thought, 'I want to make it together with these people.' That's when I really wanted to make the final cut. When I did, I was grateful. There's so much love within this group that I want to continue doing this as long as possible together with everybody.' Throughout the series and after being selected, the members worked closely with CHANMINA to define their sound, look, and style. They built a trust with the iconic rapper and SKY-HI, learning a lot about how music is made. 'I realized that CHANMINA was somebody that you can place your confidence in with the capacity to embrace you entirely,' says Momoka. 'During my final performance in the audition, I sang the song with so much pain and beauty. Through this, all the hurt and pain I felt from the past [was being lifted]. I gave myself permission to live my life the way I choose.' HANA has been praised for their powerful vocals and performances, but also defining their own expectations as a group. The music video to their debut song, 'ROSE,' showcased the members' individuality among identical white-haired clones. HANA is seen getting their white outfits dirty to defy the standards and expectations of the other clones. They then destroy the facility and clones, showing their true, badass selves. Koharu connected and resonated with the message behind 'ROSE,' especially the chorus, 'Just like a rose, full of thorns // My heart ain't yours, it's an ugly world, but // The flower still bloomed though stained in mud // I can't hide no more // With my beautiful thorns' and another part which is interpreted as 'I'm beautiful as I am.' She felt that song best represented who HANA is as a group. 'There's probably no other group like HANA who shows ourselves as who we are,' says Koharu. 'We truly show who we are as humans and as real people. 'ROSE' really expressed that.' HANA recently performed at Tokyo's Summer Sonic and is set for several other festivals, including Nippon Haku Bangkok and 1CHANCE Festival in Kumamoto, Japan. For Nakao, she's looking forward to returning to her birthplace of Thailand. Though she grew up in Japan, she has a connection to her Thai roots and feels emotional there to perform. 'My DNA is definitely there,' says Nakao. 'I am going there to claim a little bit of [who I am] in Thailand. Being able to perform there feels like a release. I didn't realize how happy it would make me doing this, and to go with my members means so much.' As for new music set to be released by the group, they wouldn't reveal anything other than that they're working on it. However, they did express interest in creating songs in different languages, including English and Spanish. 'I would love to do a song in Spanish,' says Jisoo, who speaks Korean, Japanese, English, and a little bit of Spanish. 'I studied Spanish a little before I started learning Japanese. My Spanish and English are gone, so I'd love to study Spanish again.' It is worth noting that Jisoo spoke perfect English throughout the entire interview. With their charismatic appeal and luminary talent, HANA is ready to take on the world as long as they're doing it together. '[When we started performing] initially, I was quite nervous,' says Mahina. 'But, when I got to the stage [surrounded by] the members of my group, it really helped. I didn't lose confidence at all because I know that the [other members] are with me.' Stream HANA's latest track, 'Blue Jeans,' here.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Inside Look: Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club Review
A s one of the country's most popular vacation destinations, there's no shortage of great places to stay across greater Miami, including staples like South Beach, Wynwood, Brickell and Coconut Grove. During a conference in town, I checked out the enclave of Surfside, located on a barrier island about 20 minutes north of Miami Beach. Surfside has gained popularity as a relaxed, upscale and more residential area of the city, featuring family-friendly beaches, fine dining and glitzy boutiques. What brought me to the area, however, was the Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club, commonly referred to as the best domestic property in the brand's portfolio—and one of the country's finest hotels. Read my full review below. Peacock Alley at the Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club. Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club Who Will Love It: Couples; families; multi-generational groups; those who want to be close to great beaches and shopping but removed from the crowds All-Star Amenities: Three pools; direct beach access; beachfront gardens; spa; fitness center; three restaurants; Champagne Bar; complimentary morning coffee and pastries in Peacock Alley What Not To Miss: Dinner at Lido Location: Surfside, Florida Upon arrival, my first impression of Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club was its discreet elegance. Tucked away behind a gate on posh Collins Avenue, the hotel's public spaces are filled with coral-stoned steps, terracotta floors, grandiose vaulted ceilings and leafy palm trees lining its skylight-beamed lobby, known as Peacock Alley. Its peaceful surroundings are reminiscent of a 1960s hacienda, with modern touches—like a Champagne trolley at the check-in desk and tables lined with art and décor-themed books—that blend the past and the present. Outdoor pool and cabanas at the Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club. Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club Before it became a Four Seasons hotel, the building itself—know as The Surf Club—had a storied past. Opened in 1930, the Mediterranean Revival structure was once a social club known for revelrous late night gatherings with the likes of Henry Ford and Winston Churchill; Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner later honeymooned here. I spent my first hour on property strolling the public spaces and taking plenty of photos before throwing on a swimsuit and checking out the hotel's plentiful pool options: one for families, one for adults and one flanked by (air-conditioned) cabanas. On the final day of my conference, I treated myself to an excellent Surf Club Signature massage at the hotel's spa, overlooking Biscayne Bay. As a travel editor who has stayed in dozens of Four Seasons properties over the course of my career, my room at Four Seasons At The Surf Club ranks among one of my very favorites. It's not hard to do a beachfront room in a tropical destination—all hotels know that guests are seeking prime views—but my Oceanfront King room stood out for its spacious, modern feel that felt both residential and otherworldly. Upon opening the door, all I could see was turquoise blue; its sea views were so all-encompassing that it felt as if I were sleeping directly on the ocean. Oceanfront King room at the Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club. Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club The room was comprised of a tasteful palette of cream and jade, an extension of the shades of the sea. At 735 square feet, the space was well-proportioned and featured high-tech touches like bedside USB chargers, a 65-inch flatscreen HDTV and a tablet that was used to control the room's temperature and drapes. It felt almost criminal to use the blackout curtains feature to hide the room's incredible ocean views, but it was all worth it to enjoy some of the most restful sleep of a hectic week in a truly pitch-black room. Food And Beverage The hotel is home to three restaurants. The casual Winston's on the Beach serves up grilled fare, while Lido focuses on Italian and Mediterranean favorites. And The Surf Club is the property's Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Thomas Keller, which bills itself as 'Continental cuisine' and features a wide range of European favorites like foie gras and loup de mer Provençale (a Provençal-style fish). On my first evening dining here, I ate my weight in delectable crab cakes and thankfully had enough room left for the star of the show: the prime beef short rib wellington, which was expertly cooked and topped with a périgourdine sauce. Lido Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club. Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club On my last evening, I nabbed a table at Lido, located off the hotel's main Peacock Alley and complete with the same vaulted ceilings and greenery but with emerald dining chairs and sapphire blue water glasses for pops of color. I enjoyed some burrata alongside the 'mezzi pacheri a la Lido,' a short and wide pasta noodle bathed in tomato sauce and parmigiano-reggiano. It was made perfectly al dente and paired with a glass of Barbera. Right outside of Lido, the Champagne Bar was packed with well-heeled locals and visitors enjoying bespoke cocktails and a robust menu of bubbles; in true Miami fashion, the music and laughter continued late into the night. What Not To Miss It bears repeating that the property's public spaces, all filled with contemporary art, photographs and coffee table books, beckon guests to truly appreciate their surroundings. In the mornings before heading down to the Miami Convention Center for my conference, I woke up early to grab a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a pastry—both complimentary in the hotel's Peacock Alley—and perched on a chair to absorb the historic atmosphere, surrounded by lush palms. In a bustling city like Miami, it's an uncommon escape that truly feels special. How To Get There Four Seasons Hotel At The Surf Club is located at the halfway point between two airports, making it convenient to get to from both. The property is about a 30-minute drive from Miami International Airport (MIA), and about a 40-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
New MMO Blue Protocol: Star Resonance Launches October, CBT Now Live
The wait is finally over as today, the PC English Closed Beta Test (CBT) officially kicks off for Blue Protocol: Star Resonance with a full global launch window slated for this October. You can get more details on the game's official website. I've got a code to check it out for myself this weekend, so you can expect to see some impressions here hopefully next week. You can pre-register for the game on mobile now as well. Since A PLUS JAPAN is primarily a mobile game publisher, a simultaneous launch and focus on both versions is expected. If you were hoping to get a Blue Protocol CBT code but haven't gotten one yet, A PLUS JAPAN announced they plan to continue issuing access codes gradually as they monitor server capacity. Or if you'll be at Anime NYC from August 22-24, you can check the game out in-person at booth 1B-331 in the Gaming Hall. Blue Protocol: Star Resonance—Closed Beta Test Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is definitely shaping up to be one of the most anticipated new MMOs this year. Back from the ashes from a few years ago, this is an all-new anime-style MMO with tons of style, gorgeous visuals, and flashy combat. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder From the press release: Even though I've been following this game from a distance for many years, I haven't actually gotten the chance to check it out for myself yet—until now. I'm definitely eager to dive in this weekend and see what it's like. At the very least, I'm hoping for something with good pacing and fun combat. Reportedly, when Blue Protocol is fully out, both mobile and PC players will be on the same exact servers, which should definitely help sever populations stay full and active. For the mobile version, it will of course have a completely different UI with touchscreen gameplay, but is otherwise the same game.
