“Fancy.” Was pretty much the word that came to mind after finally unwrapping the Avanti 3 from US-based watch winder maker Orbita. This isn’t the first package from Orbita that I have had to wage sweet war with to open, so I know this is a trend. I have to say that if Orbita ever decided to get out of the watch winder business they would find immediate use in the “package stuff up so that no… → Read More
Here is a nice new piece from Bremont that you can’t get – at least not now. That isn’t to say the watch isn’t ready (because it is), but rather that you need to be among a select group of “pre-selected” military personnel to get one. The pieces will be highly limited as well. Each Bremont C17 Globemaster will be limited to just 50 pieces, and it comes in a few versions. → Read More
Scott Devon sure shook up the high-end watch world when people got word of the Tread 1. Divorced from all the “tradition” in Switzerland, this California made watch relies instead on suppliers to outfit the aerospace industry. The basic theme of this electro-mechanical timepiece is that time is told on belts (the treads) and read through windows placed over segments of those belts. → Read More
I think Corum hit on a great idea with these limited edition Admiral’s Cup Challenger 44 watches. The basic idea is simple, to create bold, friendly looking versions of the Admiral’s Cup watch, just do it in as much brightly colored rubber as you can. These watches are each two toned and very enjoyable to wear. The steel cases are rubber coated, the strap is rubber, and the bezel is in rubber. → Read More
There is nothing really innovative about this watch aside from the new convoluted way it talks about having a power reserve indicator on the dial. High-end brand Antoine Preziuso makes some interesting stuff, but I can never pronounce the “Preziuso” part of it without sounding like I have something between a speech impediment and a learning disability. It comes out sounding like my tongue… → Read More
Richard Mille joins the thin watch craze in 2011 with their 6.30mm thick “Extra Flat Automatic” RM 033 watch. For the complexity of a Richard Mille watch case 6.30mm thick is pretty darn good. The brand makes sure to maintain as much of the signature look as possible in the design of the case – and they also made it round. The hour numeral style is not new, but taken from the Richard Mille RM 017… → Read More
The popularity of dive watches means that there are always going to be lots of new ones each year. One of my favorite new ones for 2011 is from Ball, and it is the Engineer Hydrocarbon Deep Quest 3000m diver. I will just call it the “Ball 3000m” diver for short. This super diver is water resistant to 3000 meters and carries Ball’s signature cool engineered looks. Chunky and… → Read More
Dievas is following up the original Vortex with this Vortex Professional. I always liked the original Vortex. It more or less combined the best features of a dive watch with the best features of an aviator watch. For many people, this is the ultimate “mission” timepiece. → Read More
I love this watch, but not everyone will. Some people might not get it – but the beauty is crystal clear to me. This watch was announced last year and was a curious release for Chopard. Part of the larger Mille Miglia collection, this watch combines Chopard sexiness with Superquartz geekiness – something that is really hard to find. → Read More
2011 saw both super high-tech and decidedly retro watches from Tag Heuer. The most retro of which was probably this “re-issue” Monza. The Monza came back briefly in 2003 with an updated look using the traditional cushion case. For 2011 original look from the 1930s is back. There is no hiding that this is a retro-themed timepieces. It doesn’t attempt to be “classic,” by instead to offer a look from… → Read More
Up in the mountains of Switzerland watch movements are made. Down in the city of Geneva watches are borne. The contrast between the people who make the inside of watches and the outside of them is a benefit to the industry. You want watchmakers to be focused, hard workers who dedicate their lives to building high performance mechanical machines. On the other hand you want designers to be more… → Read More
While I am aware that my body generally looks like poorly mixed pizza dough spread over a misshapen skeleton, I do like to get my runs in when I can. For years I’ve tried all sorts of sports watches, from GPS devices from Garmin that looked like cigarette packages with straps to heart rate monitors that told my how hard I was working while wandering down the stairs to make a sandwich. → Read More
As Hermes fends off attacks from LVMH to retain its independence they also continue to push forward with their prowess as watch makers. For 2011 their horological focal point is the Arceau Le Temps Suspend” watch. That literally means “time suspended,” and that is exactly what it does. → Read More
Boy, what do I even say about this one? Jacob & Co.’s new ultra high-end, non diamond-studded watch for 2011 is this Cyclone Tourbillon. The watch has a large escapement which is actually on the front-mounted automatic rotor. Having things on the rotor is sort of a trend this year as Cartier did something similar with their Astroregulateur watch and Blancpain has a power reserve indicator on a… → Read More
In at least one award last year the Zenith Striking 10th was voted best watch of 2010. The cool character was on many people’s minds as it was a highlight of a reinvented brand. The irony of course was that as Zenith reinvented themselves and asked everyone to forget its recent past, they also asked people to recall Zenith’s slightly more distant past as the brand was to “rediscover its roots.” I… → Read More
The first Zenith watch that had my heart was the Rainbow Flyback. Yes, it had a “pretty” name, but this killer chrono was made specially for the French Ministry of Defense, and was an amazing watch from the 1990s. By the way, what is it exactly about French military forces that makes them constantly new watches? Those guys are basically one big group of watch lovers. → Read More
Ironically enough I was just thinking about BLU, and what ever happened to it? The cool high-end brand did some neat stuff with dials, but I haven’t heard anything about them in at least a year or two. Well now I know. BLU’s Bernhard Lederer is (BLU = Bernhard Lederer Universe) is on to other projects, and this is it – The Gagarin Tourbillon. → Read More
Man meet man watch. This isn’t a piece your girlfriend or wife can snatch from you and strap on themselves. No sir. This watch is about as masculine as it gets – and whether or not you like how it looks it will be hard to disagree with that conclusion. From Montrek this is the Square Diver PVD watch. Which also implies there is a non PVD black version. Sort of like a Bell & Ross BR01 meets… → Read More
I usually don’t like expensive divers like this Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk Pro but something about the face has really drawn me in. I find the indicators and hands to be surprisingly bold and readable while the goofy power reserve is just silly enough to move over to the side of respectable.
The orange hand gives it a certain shark hunter quality while the huge bezel and probably huge price tag… → Read More
Genesis is not just a neat sounding word that someone thought would make for a good watch brand name. It is rather the name of the brand’s founder and designer – Christine Genesis. How convenient is that? To have a cool last name like that? Christine is a rare breed being a full-on watch maker and a female. I wouldn’t make a big deal of that fact if it was more common. I for one applaud the idea… → Read More
Everyone has been eagerly anticipating the new Seastar 1000 watch from Tissot this year. It has good looks and a large 48mm wide that is big, but not overpowering due to the shorter lugs. For those highly intimidated by the size, there is also a smaller three-hand version that is maybe 44mm wide or smaller. The color selection is interesting, and these could be the Tissot watches to own this year. → Read More
In addition to the new for 2011 Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Automatic watch, Omega offers a new Planet Ocean Seamaster Co-Axial Chronograph Automatic watch with the new in-house Omega caliber 9300. There is also a three-hand Seamaster which also has in-house made Omega caliber 8500 automatic. These new pieces are fantastic, and show just how dedicated Omega is to making its two core sport… → Read More
Get ready for something cool. There are two watches in this article. For the most part they are the same. A pair of Maurice de Mauriac Chronograph Modern watches in 45mm wide steel cases. One is in a DLC black case with a carbon fiber dial, and the other is in a PVD black case with a black dial with white text. Doesn’t look like a white on black dial? That is because of its special crystal. → Read More
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s answer to the thin watch in 2011 was with their Reverso. Many of the Richemont brands were releasing their own slim watches, and I think the Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin is one of the sleeker models. As of now it will come in at least four versions. Some unlimited models including one with a more typical Reverso face guilloche engraved silvered dial with Arabic numerals, and a… → Read More
Over at aBlogtoRead.com you can win a pair of new Phosphor Reveal watches for “him and her” (or him and him, her and her?). Just got over there, comment, and wait until the end of the month. → Read More
One of the best surprises at SIHH 2011 was how much I enjoyed the A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour le Merite.” The regulator style watch took influence from a pocket watch made in the Dresden area a while back. It had three overlapping subdials, with one for the hours, minutes, and seconds. Lange took the concept and added to it some very complex mechanical features that make… → Read More
It really makes a lot of sense for there to be a real diver’s watch in the Titanic DNA collection from Romain Jerome. I mean the whole idea of the collection is to commemorate something that is deep underwater. Well the Titanic DNA diver is here with the RJ Octopus. The Octopus name is actually part of the “octo” theme which involves the number 8. There are special 8 sided screws in parts of the… → Read More
Wow, this is the Omega Speedmaster watch that I want… really want. For 2011 Omega has created the perfect Speedmaster for me. Did they have me in mind when making it? Not likely, but let me tell you what I personally like about it and why I think this is one of the most compelling new Omega sport watches to be released in a while. In short, you get size, function, and a great movement. → Read More
While this watch dial in action looks like a miniature aerial view of an amusement park, something is actually going on – this isn’t all for show. With the reference EQWM1100DC-1A2 Edifice “Black Label” watch, Casio wanted to turn all of the functions present in most of its better digital watches in a analog stage show. To be honest I never thought such a thing could be done, even though Casio has… → Read More
Atomic clock radio signal syncing watches are so last year. Citizen just decimated the coolness factor of those watches with the Satellite Eco-Drive watch. This timepiece isn’t just a concept, but will actually be produced as a limited edition later this year – and may have its tech show up in later watches. In a nutshell, the watch keeps its time super accurate from syncing with the navigational… → Read More
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