Catherine Bishop

Thomas Jefferson once said 'A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.' Yet I found that I didn't need to take a walk. At Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso Stories Exhibition, a ten-second trot from our hotel on Rue Boissy d'Anglas in Paris, I discovered an array of both beauty…

Once upon a time, in the mid-eighteenth century, there lived a watchmaker named Abraham-Louis Breguet. Born in the quiet, misty medieval lakeside Swiss town of Neuchâtel (then a Prussian municipality), he grew up beneath the shadow of an ancient 12th century castle. With the Jura mountains to the North and Creux du Van canyon to the…

It's been another extraordinary year for us all, and the watch world is no exception. That is why the Swisswatches team sat down once more to comprise a list of our top watches of 2021. From horological giant OMEGA to independent watchmaker Armin Strom, we are presenting you with 24 special highlights to emerge from…

"Ergonomic: [adjective] relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment." This is the definition for the word "ergonomic"; a buzz word at Audemars Piguet this year, since the Swiss horology house introduced its all-new Royal Oak Offshore models in a 43 mm case. The new chronograph models, available in steel, pink…

Patek Philippe watches are never cheap – but just how expensive can they get? We took a journey back through time to uncover the most expensive Patek Philippe wristwatches ever to sell at auction. Let’s climb our way up the millions, and get to know some of the most exquisite timepieces that have helped make…

When it comes to expanding Parmigiani Fleurier's clientele, it seems it's not all about fast and furious growth. Recently installed CEO Guido Terreni, leading the manufacture since the start of 2021, evidently prides himself upon creating a customer base that is not necessarily far-reaching, but rather fits with the company's values. "We are choosing an…

What is the point of a brand ambassador? To encapsulate the essence of a brand. Represent its values. Inspire others. These are all things that Panerai brand ambassador, Mike Horn, is certainly capable of – alongside much more. Over the years, the Switzerland-based South African has had his fair share of awe-inspiring adventures as well…

Breitling has been enjoying a new lease of life since mid-2017, under the new leadership of Georges Kern. His manufacture doesn’t simply offer a diverse array of models for the sake of wide-reaching popularity. Yet a broad appeal is exactly what the Swiss horology house is now enjoying. When Kern took over as CEO, he…

Some watches simply command respect. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième is one such watch. The horology house's Reverso model is always sleek, suave, and attractive. This unconventional piece, however, takes high watchmaking to a whole new level. Area of expertise: The Reverso and complications Jaeger-LeCoultre is no stranger to creating complicated Reverso watches. The first…

Has Bond always worn OMEGA? Ever since the release of Dr. No in 1962, James Bond has both thrilled us and gained our admiration – as have his many watches. Seiko, Hamilton, Rolex, Breitling, and Heuer (as TAG Heuer was then known) have all graced the wrist of the world’s favourite British spy. However, this…

A 60 million year-old mountain, growing a quarter of an inch every year. Temperatures of minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and winds of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). Known by its Nepalese neighbours as Sagarmatha (meaning “mother goddess of the sky”) and as Chomolungma (“mother goddess of the universe”) in Tibet, Mount…

The subject of sustainability remains a difficult – and even taboo – topic in the world of luxury goods. Despite arguably being inherently sustainable due to their longevity, Swiss watches do fall into this category of premium products. Therefore, it is the responsibility of those in the industry – as well as consumers – to…