It’s fair to say that during the last 5 years, things haven’t always been all that rosy for master watchmaker Martin Braun. Think economic downturn, recession and financial doom and gloom – the culmination of which saw the watch brand that once bore his name closed by its owners, the Franck Muller Group. There was also one final kick in the teeth when issues to do with legal red tape meant that the return of the rights and assets of the Martin Braun watch brand were unable to be handed back to MB himself.

After severing all ties with Franck Muller, Braun then went through somewhat of a transitional phase, taking an extended break from watch making and the industry in general.

With the help of financier Antoine Meier, 2011 saw Braun return with his new watch brand called Antoine Martin (so that’s how they came up with the name!).

The brand specialises in making luxurious and technologically sophisticated timepieces, aimed at connoisseurs who take a real interest in the finer points of watchmaking. Of course, Braun’s 30 years of watchmaking expertise are crucial to helping him create both innovative movements, as well as watches that are unmistakable in their design.

Antoine Martin is a modern watch brand that could be well worth keeping an eye on, make no mistake.

Antoine Martin Perpetual Calendar QP01

Despite its mightily impressive design, the first offering from the Alpnach based independent watchmakers is somewhat indifferently named, the Antoine Martin Perpetual Calendar. Simple though the name may be, the Perpetual Calendar QP01 is an example of AM’s incredibly high standards in both technology and aesthetics. The watch is the result of almost two years worth of work from Martin Braun.

Available in 18k white gold, a black DLC stainless steel case, or as pictured above, in 18k pink gold, the watch features a completely original movement, the manual winding Calibre AM 39.001, which Braun created himself. Consisting of 324 individual parts, it includes 60 jewels and beats at 18,000vph. It also has a power reserve of 6 days, the display of which is located on the reverse of the watch.

The stunning dial displays central hours and minutes, whilst also offering a central day and month indicator. A leap year indicator and day/night display can be found at 12 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively. You’ll also find a large date display 6 o’clock.

As for the price, we’re talking high end watch making, with the Antoine Martin Perpetual Calendar QP01 retailing in excess of $50,000.

Antoine Martin Tourbillon Quantieme Perpetual

The gorgeous Antoine Martin Tourbillon Quantieme Perpetual was originally showcased at Baselworld 2012. This highly intricate timepiece features a perpetual calendar and a flying tourbillon.

Perhaps the most eye catching thing about the watch is its dial. Whilst there is plenty on display, the symmetry and even balance of its design means that readability still remains excellent and unquestionably adds to its overall appeal.

However, it is the tourbillon that is the main draw of the timepiece. Measuring just 14.1mm, it is positioned really close to the watch’s sapphire crystal which gives the wearer the best possible viewpoint of the intricate mechanism as it moves through its one minute journey. Even more impressive still is that the tourbillon is in fact the lightest in the world for its size, weighing just 0.62 grams.

Upon looking closer at the dial, you’ll notice that the hours and minutes are actually displayed on separate dials – the hours are located on the sub dial between 9 and 10 o’clock, whilst the minutes are centrally located and displayed in the watch’s outer ring. 3 o’clock is where you will find the retrograde date display.

The in-house calibre 39.002 mechanism beats at 18,000vph and is housed in an 18k white or rose gold case, complete with either a brown or black alligator strap.

Antoine Martin Quantieme Perpetual Au Grand Balencier Open Dial

With Baselworld 2013 fast approaching, the Antoine Martin Quantieme Perpetual Au Grand Balencier Open Dial is one of the watches you can expect to see at this year’s event.

This latest addition to the Antoine Martin collection features a partially cut out dial which further highlights the technical prowess of its maker, Martin Braun. Dare it be said that this timepiece has a bit more of a sportier element about it than either of its predecessors.

The watch includes the same movement as the Antoine Martin Perpetual Calendar QP01. The face features a complex layered dial where you can admire the rotating disc which displays the day, date and month. The aperture date display is located at 6 o’clock, whilst the day and month displays are located at 2 and 10 o’clock.

The movement also features a High Performance Escapement, a 6 day power reserve and a large titanium balance wheel.

The Antoine Martin Quantieme Perpetual Au Grand Balencier Open Dial is available for around $46,000.