Maitres du Temps is a new brand launched in Geneva earlier this year by industry veteran Steven Holtzman. The brand is unique in that it assembles small teams of independent master watchmakers to create "exclusive and unparalleled masterpieces." The first watch, appropriately named Chapter One, is a stunningly beautiful watch created by Mr. Christophe Claret, Mr. Roger Dubuis, and Mr. Peter Speake-Marin. The watch is fantastic start to what's sure to be a long successful history for the company.

Steven Holtzman, the brands founder, began working in the field of horology over twenty-five years ago when he sold and distributed watches in the United States. In 1997 he created Helvetia Time Corporation (HTC) to distribute high-quality Swiss watch brands, including Roger Dubuis and Jean Dunand. Helvetia Time Corporation became one of the few high-end, independent watch distributors in North America. Now with the creation of Maitres du Temps he is raising the bar for watchmakers everywhere.

The Chapter One timepiece, was indeed a collaboration of giants in the watch industry. Each of the master watchmakers brings their unique strengths and expertise to the development of the timepiece. It is a world-first combination of complications crafted from 558 components. It is the first wristwatch to feature a tourbillon with mono-pusher column wheel chronograph, retrograde date, and retrograde GMT, as well as moon phase and day of the week on their own rolling bars. The two rollers work simultaneously with the time, date, GMT, and chronograph. The 18K red gold case is a large 62.60 mm x 45.90 mm and has a sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating. The watch comes on an alligator strap with 18K red gold deployant buckle.