Dear my fashionistas, welcome to another new fashion adventure on the Mr.M blog. We have to admit that this year, April surprised us quite a bit with an unexpected “cold wave”, so even some parts of Europe were covered with a “white cover”. That’s why I used the cold days to enjoy the winter magic and show you some new fashion novelties!
You all know how much I love watches and that I always try to show you some interesting brands of watches. Today we will learn something new about one luxury Swiss brand that makes unusual watches – Armand Nicolet.
Mr. Armand Nicolet was born in the town of Tramelan, a small town located in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. As the son of a celebrated watchmaker, he followed in his father’s footsteps and built his own small watch studio called the Atelier d’Horlogerie, to create his masterpiece in 1902. Unfortunately, in 1939, Mr. Armand Nicolet dies and his son Willy continues the family business.
During the first half of the 20th century, Tramelan became the third pole of the Swiss watch industry. During this period, Nicolet SA specialized in refining complicated mechanical movements for other well-known Swiss brands and specialized in the production of Venus movements whose components were composed of various sophisticated calibres.
Mr. Willy Nicolet was old and unfortunately did not have direct descendants to continue the family business, but fate had a second plan… Meeting Mr. Rolando Braga in 1987, a famous Italian entrepreneur and passionate lover of watches, who has been active in horology circles for more than 20 years , realized that he had found the ideal person to continue this brand success story with a new vision and mission.
Mr. Braga aims to reveal to the world buried treasures like the Armand Nicolet brand and show all the possibilities and creative abilities of the expert team behind this amazing brand. After several years spent reorganizing the brand, in 2000 the Armand Nicolet brand was officially introduced to the market at the Basel Fair and immediately gained worldwide popularity and recorded incredible success.
Armand Nicolet is one of the few independent watch brands that is still active in the territory of Bern and in Tramelan itself, known for its traditional watchmaking. The company has adopted the latest methods of work, while respecting the oldest watchmaking tradition. The entire process of creating and manufacturing Armand Nicolet watches takes place within the company from creative vision, design and production process to quality control. This independent method of production provides an unrivaled guarantee of quality. The company guarantees a perfect product, a watch that every satisfied customer will proudly wear on their wrist.
What is the secret of exceptional quality? The Armand Nicolet production center is also a watch repair service center. In this way, unchanged quality is ensured because all repairs are entrusted to a professional team that works exclusively with original spare parts. This procedure and the internal service system preserve knowledge and all the secrets of Armand Nicolet watchmaking remain within the walls of the company.
Thanks to this knowledge, today Armand Nicolet is one of the few independent watch brands that are still active in the market. When you buy an Armand Nicolet watch, you get a unique quality that meets all the criteria.
All Armand Nicolet watches are divided into two collections: Watch collections with Original Historical Movements (O.H.M Series) and Contemporary watch collections.
The collection of watches with Original Historical Movements is a series of watches that contain original historical movements from the 1950s and 1960s that have been preserved from oblivion and specially set in the Armand Nicolet atelier. These series are produced only in limited series because the amount of these precious watches is determined by the amount of original historical mechanisms that are still available. Armand Nicolet team of professional watchmakers manually renew and reassemble each of these unique pieces. These precious mechanisms are the result of many years of expertise, dedication and love for the fine arts of creating watches.
On the other hand, we have Armand Nicolet Contemporary collections of watches that represent the lines of the complete range of men’s and women’s mechanical watches. All Armand Nicolet watches have the DNA of the prestigious most sophisticated Swiss watchmaker, but have been reinterpreted by their skilled and creative Italian designers.
In today’s blog post, I present you a watch from the latest MM2 collection with a mechanical automatic mechanism with chronographic functions.
Calibre AN200 (based on ETA 2824-2 or SV-200 modified according to the specifications of the Armand Nicolet brand). The case is made of the highest quality 316L stainless steel with a fixed stainless steel bezel. Dial with Arabic numerals with luminescent hands and markers. Date display at position 6 o’clock.The bracelet is made of durable and quality canvas.The bracelets are available in 3 colors: blue, black and earth color (khaki – dark yellow).
Technical Information
- Case Size: 43mm without crown
- Case Thickness: 12mm
- Movement: Mechanical automatic with a power reserve of 38 hours
- Calibre: Date AN200
- Dial: Dial with raised Arabic figures and indexes. Volcanic-sand finishing.
- Case Material: Stainless steel 316L
- Glasses: Sapphire crystal with inside antiglare treatment and sapphire crystal on see-through screwedback
- Strap: Canvas strap with stainless steel tang buckle
- Bracelet: Stainless Steel 316L bracelet on a butterfly buckle
- Water Resistance: 10 ATM / 100 Meters
If you want to be updated and find out which models Armand Nicolet has to offer, visit their Official Online Store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.
My today’s outfit: ski velvet jacket, jeans, turtleneck sweater and high-top sneakers was taken care of by the luxury German shopping platform Mytheresa Man. If you want to find interesting fashion pieces and special footwear collections you can find it on the Mytheresa online shopping platform where all fashion lovers can find something for themselves!
This time my choice was the Versace unusual burgundy velvet ski jacket that I combined with Brunello Cucinelli cashmere turtleneck sweater and jeans. I complemented this outfit with the legendary Christian Louboutin Louis Strauss High-Top black sneakers handmade from Swarovski crystals. These shoes have been on my bucket-list for a long time and I can’t believe they are finally in my wardrobe!
OUTFIT
Jacket: VERSACE via Mytheresa Man
Turtleneck: Brunello Cucinelli via Mytheresa Man
Jeans: Brunello Cucinelli via Mytheresa Man
Watch: Armand Nicolet
Gloves: Restelli
High-Top Sneakers: Christian Louboutin via Mytheresa Man
There is no person in the world who cannot hide the joy when you feel the smell of the new Italian leather. Today, we are once again hanging out with the Italian family workshop for handmade Restelli gloves, a place where the art, tradition and beauty of handicrafts meet every day, which is the true definition of the Italian style and way of life in general.
Making gloves is not only a job but also a real art. Passion, emotions, tradition and knowledge have been passed on to the third generation after 100 years! Raffaella Restelli has fully accepted the challenges of the new fashion era in which the market and the way of selling have changed with deep respect and belief in tradition and a love for lasting masterpieces!
Restelli gloves are not valued with money, but with a tradition and history full of love and patience that have no price.
In today’s post, you had the opportunity to see Restelli Ski Gloves made of special waterproof deerskin. These luxury ski gloves have a special zipper with a logo. You can choose a set of gloves from a large selection of fur and materials. This model of ski gloves was presented for the first time in burgundy, which I must admit is an unusual feature for ski gloves, which makes it a great luxury accessory for a real fashion winter!
My dear fashionistas, we have reached the end of this special post where we discovered the beauty of “unexpected fashionable spring- winter” April with fashion shopping platform Mytheresa Man and iconic Swiss watch brand Armand Nicolet and I hope you got the inspiration for your perfect outfit! We will continue our fashion adventures on the Mr.M blog soon! How did you like my outfit today?
I really tried to prepare today’s post for you with a lot of love and I hope you will like it!
I advise you to listen to my advice due to the current health situation with the new strain of Coronavirus in almost all Asian, European and countries around the world. If you need to go out into the fresh air, take a walk and clear your mind and enjoy the nature, feel free to do so, but do not go to places where there are a lot of people and thus encourage crowds.
If you have been fully vaccinated (2 vaccine doses or 3rd booster dose) you need to wear a mask for your own safety. If you are going to spend some nice time in European cities, I would ask you to respect and follow the local laws related to the health care of the local community.
If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me, you can write me down in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via mail or social media channels, which you can find on the CONTACT page. See you soon, stay tuned!
With Love from Germany,
Mr.M
This post is sponsored by online shopping platform Mytheresa Man, Armand Nicolet, Brunello Cucinelli, Christian Louboutin, Versace and Restelli brands and represents my personal and honest review of their products.
I really like your outfit! I love burgundy and I like how refreshed you are by this color, your smile and positive energy! I have no comments on the shoes, I adore Louboutin, and only the Louis Strass model is the model I have been dreaming of for years! Nicholas
A beautiful ski jacket, otherwise I love and adore Versace style and the way they combine materials! I love velvet, but I never imagined a velvet winter jacket in a gentle burgundy color. You look fantastic and you just shine like a diamond! Your shoes are really fabulous!!!
The watch is nice, the story of the brand is quite interesting, but so far I have not had the opportunity to hear about the Armand Nicolet as a Swiss brand of luxury watches. The watch is sporty, interesting, but I honestly don’t suits you because you are always more elegant. Every piece in this outfit is beautiful, but I have to show some special love for THE SHOES!!! I’ve been imagining these Christian Louboutin Louis Strass black for a long time IN MY CLOSET, but when a new series of sizes comes out, my size sells out first! With… Read more »
The jacket and gloves are quite unusual details in this outfit. Every time I notice your constant passionate work and improvement, but I always wonder one thing… How big is your wardrobe? Since you have a lot of clothing, shoes and accessories and you have been running this blog for years, I imagine that your whole living space is one big wardrobe! I would love to be in your shoes, at least for one day! All best from Paris Michele
Die Uhr ist wunderschön, ich habe noch nie von der Schweizer Marke Armand Nicolet gehört. Ich denke, eine etwas elegantere Uhr wäre viel besser für Sie, denn wenn ich Ihre Modegeschichten über die Jahre lese, waren Sie immer elegant und raffiniert gekleidet. FG Felix
Bordeauxfarben stehen dir wunderschön, lieber Marko! Du siehst wunderschön aus und dieser sportlich-elegante Style steht dir super! Die Schuhe sind fantastisch, ich liebe glänzende Schuhe und Louboutin-Schuhe sind immer die beste Wahl!
Hello Marko, what a lovely contrast you have created here: a crisp snowy German backdrop against all that warm burgundy. The Armand Nicolet immediately drew my eye, and I appreciate that you traced the brand back to its founder’s atelier in Tramelan in 1902. So many writers skip the history, but the detail that Tramelan became the third pole of the Swiss watch industry gives real weight to the story. The MM2 looks perfectly at home with a velvet ski jacket rather than a formal cuff. It is refreshing to see a watch chosen for its heritage rather than its… Read more »
Caro Marko, che piacere ritrovare Armand Nicolet sul tuo blog. Da appassionato, trovo affascinante che il marchio sia rinato grazie all’imprenditore italiano Rolando Braga, che lo rilevò nel 1987 e lo ripresentò a Basilea nel 2000. È proprio questo incontro tra DNA svizzero e gusto italiano a rendere il design così particolare. Mi piace anche la serie O.H.M, con i movimenti storici degli anni ’50 e ’60 restaurati a mano. Complimenti per come unisci storia orologiera ed eleganza invernale.
Lieber Marko, ein wunderbar winterlicher Auftritt mit Grüßen aus Deutschland. Die Armand Nicolet MM2 interessiert mich besonders wegen des sandgestrahlten “Volcanic-sand”-Zifferblatts mit den erhabenen arabischen Ziffern. Darf ich fragen, ob du das Modell am Stoffarmband oder am Stahlband trägst und welche Variante du für den Alltag bevorzugst? Bei 43 mm und nur 12 mm Höhe stelle ich mir die Uhr angenehm flach vor. Über deine ehrliche Einschätzung würde ich mich sehr freuen.
Bonjour Marko, quel plaisir de découvrir l’histoire d’Armand Nicolet. J’apprécie que vous rappeliez que la marque est l’une des rares indépendantes encore actives à Tramelan, maîtrisant toute sa production en interne, jusqu’au service de réparation avec pièces d’origine. Sur fond de neige allemande, le bourgogne du blouson Versace ressort magnifiquement. Bravo pour cette belle histoire hivernale.
Dear Marko, as a longtime enthusiast this Armand Nicolet feature was a treat. I wear a Mühle-Glashütte with an ETA base, so I was interested to read that the AN200 calibre is built on the trusty ETA 2824-2, modified to the brand’s own specifications. May I ask how the watch keeps time day to day, given the 38-hour reserve, and whether you find the canvas strap comfortable in cold weather? I appreciate an honest, real-world view before exploring a brand. The volcanic-sand dial sounds genuinely distinctive too. Warm regards from Sheffield.
Hola Marko, qué historia tan bonita para un día de invierno. Reconozco que el reloj fue lo que más me cautivó, sobre todo por esa esfera con acabado de arena volcánica y números arábigos en relieve. Tengo una duda: la correa de lona viene en azul, negro y color tierra, así que ¿cuál crees que combina mejor con un look invernal en tonos burdeos? Me parece un detalle clave para acertar con el conjunto. Agradecería mucho tu opinión sincera.
Beste Marko, wat een sfeervolle winterse reportage uit Duitsland. Het horloge trok meteen mijn aandacht, want Armand Nicolet behoort tot de weinige onafhankelijke merken die alles in Tramelan in eigen huis maken, inclusief het eigen reparatieatelier. Dat het kaliber AN200 op de beproefde ETA 2824-2 is gebaseerd, geeft vertrouwen in de betrouwbaarheid. De combinatie met het bordeauxrode Versace-jack en de Restelli-handschoenen oogt heel verzorgd. Bedankt voor dit inspirerende verhaal.
Marko, a genuinely interesting read on a brand I knew little about. I was especially taken with the O.H.M Series, the idea of preserving original 1950s and 1960s movements and hand-reassembling them in limited numbers is wonderfully romantic. My question concerns the contemporary MM2 you are wearing: do you find a 43 mm field-style automatic versatile enough to dress up, or is it strictly a casual winter piece? I am trying to gauge how flexible it would be. Thank you, and best wishes from Oxford.
Drogi Marku, od lat z przyjemnością śledzę twoje wpisy o zegarkach. Armand Nicolet to dla mnie fascynujące odkrycie, zwłaszcza historia założyciela, który już w 1902 roku stworzył swój pierwszy zegarek w Tramelan. Bardzo podoba mi się, że marka łączy szwajcarskie dziedzictwo z włoskim gustem projektowym za sprawą Rolanda Bragi. Tarcza z reliefowymi cyframi arabskimi i szafirowy dekiel dodają całości elegancji. Dziękuję, że pokazujesz marki z prawdziwą duszą.
Buongiorno Marco, seguo il tuo blog soprattutto per le storie sugli orologi. Possiedo un Doxa automatico che amo molto, ma devo ammettere che la rinascita di Armand Nicolet, con tutta la produzione concentrata a Tramelan, ha un fascino particolare. Mi incuriosisce molto la collezione MM2, con il suo calibro AN200 e il fondello in zaffiro a vista. Trovo affascinante che un marchio svizzero affidi il design a creativi italiani, proprio come racconti nel post. Mi hai davvero incuriosito al punto da volerne sapere di più.
Marko, what strikes me here is how confidently you wear colour. A burgundy Versace velvet ski jacket could easily overwhelm, yet paired with Brunello Cucinelli cashmere and those crystal-set Louboutin high-tops it all hangs together. The Armand Nicolet, understated by comparison, grounds the whole look with a touch of mechanical seriousness. I admire that you balance bold fashion with a quietly independent watch rather than an obvious logo. A striking winter ensemble.
Caro Marko, que excelente forma de mostrar que o luxo também brilha no inverno. Confesso que comprei a minha primeira camisola de caxemira Brunello Cucinelli depois de ler um dos teus posts, e a qualidade é incomparável. Tenho uma dúvida sobre o relógio: sendo a Armand Nicolet uma marca independente, encontra-se facilmente nas lojas europeias ou convém comprar pela loja oficial online? Fiquei muito curioso com a coleção MM2 e o seu calibre AN200. Obrigado por partilhares marcas com tanta história.
Lieber Marko, deine winterlichen Aufnahmen aus Deutschland haben eine ganz besondere Atmosphäre. Mir gefällt, dass du Armand Nicolet als unabhängige Manufaktur vorstellst, deren gesamtes Wissen innerhalb der eigenen Mauern in Tramelan bleibt. Auch die burgunderroten Restelli-Skihandschuhe aus wasserdichtem Hirschleder passen perfekt zur Jahreszeit. Danke für diesen stimmungsvollen Beitrag.
Marko, I usually read your blog for my husband, who has become quite the watch enthusiast thanks to your stories. He was fascinated by the tale of Willy Nicolet having no heir, only for the Italian Rolando Braga to revive the brand and relaunch it at Basel in 2000. We both admired how you styled the watch for a snowy German winter rather than a glossy studio. Could you say whether the canvas strap copes well with cold and damp, as he is curious for his own winter watch? Sending our kind regards from the two of us.