Baselworld 2012:  Now here’s a looker!  This is a relatively obscure — but elite — Dutch-based watch manufacture (two brothers, actually) that really has an eye for design and a passion for elevating mechanical watchmaking.  The watch you see here is the Gronefeld One Hertz “Fire”, a titanium cased version with striking orange accents.  It is a new variation on the One Hertz watch introduced by Gronefeld last year.  In short, the One Hertz features a rare complication called dead beat seconds, which means that the seconds hand, which has a promiment place on the dial, makes one tick per second — much as a quartz watch would, but it is achieved through mechanical means.  It is an impressive complication in many, many respects.  In addition the One Hertz has an unusual time setting mechanism. Instead of pulling the crown,  the crown is pushed to perform setting or winding.  I recommend you hop over to Monochrome watch blog where my watch friend Frank Geelen has provided a thorough review of this fantastic watch and complication.  Frank really understands this watch and explains it well so please do click through you will not be disappointed…

Grönefeld One Hertz Fire Watch

titanium case, dead beat seconds, black/orange strap, lots of awesomeness to appreciate