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WATCH GUIDES AND ARTICLES
Texts to shed light on our approach
Our choices and selections.


Jumping hour or wandering hour: which complication is right for you?
For decades, most watches displayed the time in the same way: one hand for the hours, another for the minutes, sometimes a third for the seconds. Yet, some watchmakers have always sought to break free from this traditional display. Not to unnecessarily complicate the time display, but to offer a different experience. A more mechanical, more visual, or sometimes more poetic way of interacting with time. Among the complications that most fascinate independent watch enthusiasts,


Unconventional watchmaking: Why is it the ultimate object of transmission?
In a world saturated with disposable products and standardized luxury, the question of legacy has become paramount. What will remain of our current choices in fifty years? While it was long believed that only classicism guaranteed longevity, a new truth is emerging: atypical watchmaking is the true sanctuary of the enduring object. Far from being a passing fad, it asserts itself as a time capsule combining technical audacity, rarity, and cognitive pleasure. 1. The "De-automat


Japanese vs. Swiss Movements: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding What Beats at the Heart of Your Watch
In the world of watchmaking, there's an invisible line, often drawn by marketing, between "Swiss Made" and the rest of the world. For many, a quality watch must be Swiss. Yet, if you look closely at the most innovative creations from today's micro-brands, you'll find that most of them are powered by Japanese movements. Why this choice? Is it simply a matter of cost or a strategic technical decision? At Whatimisit, we've chosen transparency. Here's why 85% of our catalog is po


The Poster Manifesto: Why your reading of time should become a spectacle
There are two types of people: those who use their watch to avoid being late, and those for whom every glance at their wrist is a mechanical epiphany. At Whatimisit, we've made our choice. Traditional watchmaking, with its flat dial and three central hands born in the 18th century, has had its day. Today, a new generation of independent designers is shattering the "glass ceiling" to transform the passing second into a cinematic experience. Hold on tight: we're entering the wo


Wandering Hours and Errant Hours: A Guide to the Most Poetic Complication in Horology
Angles The Three Kings - 790€ In the world of mechanical watchmaking , some complications simply add a function, while others completely redefine our relationship with time. The wandering hour belongs to this second category. Long the closely guarded secret of a few prestigious manufacturers, this unique way of telling time is finally becoming accessible thanks to the audacity of independent watch brands. Why "Wandering Hours"? A Story of a Pope and Silence If you browse th


How to choose your first automatic watch and mistakes to avoid (the simple and reliable guide)
Choosing your first automatic watch is a special moment. You're no longer just looking for an object that tells the time, but a mechanical piece that you wear, admire, and sometimes even keep for a long time. Yet, many first purchases disappoint—not because the watch is bad, but because the choice was made based on the wrong criteria: logo, trend, unsuitable size, impulsive purchase… Here is a clear, simple, and reliable guide to choosing a truly successful first automatic wa


5 unusual automatic watches to start a collection (Whatimisit selection)
Looking for a unique automatic watch to start your collection? Many first purchases are similar: models seen everywhere, "sensible" choices, unremarkable pieces. At Whatimisit, we champion a different approach: 👉 Start with a watch that has something to say. A singular, mechanical, memorable piece. A watch that makes you want to wear it… and continue collecting. Here are 5 atypical , accessible, and characterful automatic watches, perfect for laying the foundation for a diff


Get off the radar: Why choose an independent watch rather than a mass-produced model?
The watch market is changing. While the major manufacturers continue to inspire dreams, a new generation of enthusiasts is turning away from the mass-produced models seen on every street corner. Why wear the same watch as everyone else when you can wear a piece with soul, a story, and genuine rarity ? Welcome to the world of micro-brands and independent watchmakers. This article helps you understand why more and more enthusiasts are turning to micro-brands and independent wat


Watches that tell a story
Macro of the Spaceone Tellurium dial Some watches do more than just tell time. They evoke emotion, create a presence, tell a story. These are the kinds of pieces we love to share. There are watches you look at… and watches you feel. Watches that don't strive for perfection, but for authenticity . Watches that don't follow the rules, but follow an idea. Watches unlike anything else. At Whatimisit, these are the pieces that attract us. The ones that tell a story—sometimes witho


Small brands, big watches: when micro-watchmaking plays in the big leagues
L’horlogerie, c’est un art. Et dans cet univers où les grandes maisons règnent depuis des décennies, un nouveau souffle s’impose avec force : celui des micro-marques indépendantes. Alors, qu’est-ce qui fait que ces marques méconnues arrivent à rivaliser avec les géants du secteur ? Spoiler : c’est bluffant !


Micro-brands VS Big Brands – The duel that is changing watchmaking
Watchmaking is a world of passion, where every watch tells a story, where every mechanism is the fruit of watchmaking expertise...
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