BaselWorld Archives - Page 19 of 66

Hands-on – Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8

Fifty years ago, on Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 became the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon and the three astronauts on board the first men to witness the far, or dark side, of our celestial neighbour. To celebrate this encounter, in 2013 Omega dedicated an entire collection of black-themed Speedmasters known as the Dark Side of the Moon. During Baselworld 2018, Omega presented the latest crew member of this collection, the new Apollo 8. A hybrid of sorts, the Apollo 8 shares the black ceramic case of the Dark Side of the Moon collection but has jettisoned its automatic co-axial engine in favour of Omega’s legendary calibre 1861, the manual-wound movement of the classic Moonwatch.

Hands-on – Carl F. Bucherer Expands its Manero Peripheral Collection with Larger 43mm Versions

The Manero Peripheral certainly represents Carl F. Bucherer at its best. Not the most technical watch in the collection (the Tourbillon Double Peripheral holds the title) yet probably the most balanced one. Elegant, sophisticated, technically interesting and well-priced, it is a watch we’ve been regularly praising, here on MONOCHROME. Aware of the demand for larger watches in certain regions (the US market first, and since Bucherer acquired Tourneau, new opportunities opened to Carl F. Bucherer on this market), the brand introduces a larger version of its Manero Peripheral, now with a 43mm case.

Hands-on – H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds Cosmic Green

Moser is probably not the first brand you would turn to for a sports watch, but there was a gap in the collection for something more robust, more masculine, more casual and more suitable for everyday wear and tear. Moser’s answer is the stainless steel 3-hand Pioneer Centre Seconds, the brand’s entry-level ‘sports’ watch, which is revisited with a cool Cosmic Green fumé dial. At 42.8mm in diameter and 15mm thick, it is the largest Moser on the block and features luminescence, 120m water-resistance and an efficient automatic movement with a 3-day power reserve.

Hands-on – Carl F. Bucherer Updates the Manero Flyback With a Cool Retro-Style

The difference a dial colour and a strap can make… Yes, such details can drastically change a watch, or at least this can add another (thick) layer of coolness. Alongside the technically desirable Manero Peripheral, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback has always been one of our favourites amongst this collection. Yet, it was before the addition of cool retro-inspired details, as this watch now becomes even more pleasant. Meet the new rally-oriented version of the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback.

HANDS-ON: The Rado HyperChrome Skeleton Automatic Chronograph

At Baselworld this year we saw Rado doubling down with two new limited-edition versions of their everyday and sporty HyperChrome chronograph. The first version, the HyperChrome Bronze, takes its form inside a case crafted from a combination of high-tech ceramic and bronze. While the second opens up its ceramic case, foregoing a traditional dial and skeletonizing the movement. Earlier this week I went hands-on with the patina-friendly bronze version, and today it’s time to take a peek at (and through) the stripped back dial of the aptly named HyperChrome Skeleton. Vital statistics Consisting of an inner monobloc ceramic case with stainless-steel side inserts, and chronograph pushers and crown, the 45mm case is water resistant to 100 metres. Steel sides are polished, while the ceramic components are fired with a black pigment inside a high-tech oven at 1450°C, creating the super hard and lightweight case that is then extensively sandblasted to a matt finish – except for the ceramic bezel, which is polished and engraved with a tachymeter scale. Sapphire crystal on the front and back gives a view through to the openworked ETA 2894-2 chronograph movement inside. With its plate and bridges cut away into a latticework, and exposing its…

The post HANDS-ON: The Rado HyperChrome Skeleton Automatic Chronograph appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

Hands-on – Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear

Headquartered in Lucerne, Chronoswiss was founded in 1983 by Gerd R. Lang. In 1987, the brand presented its first wristwatch with a regulator dial. Since then, regulators have been a Chronoswiss trademark. To the point that this distinctive display has become the essence of the brand. And if the present Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear (introduced here) is much more modern in its execution, it bears all the attributes of the brand.

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara

Ok, well maybe saying that the watch will have you roaring is a bit of an over-reach, but we know if you are an art- or big-cat lover, this watch is going to hit all the bells and whistles for you. Sorry men, unless you love diamonds, the watch is really meant for the lady in your life. I say “sorry” because I believe that a man would enjoy the boldness of a non-diamond red/orange version of the new Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara created in Plique-a-Jour enamel.

Hands-on – Tutima Saxon One M now in an Elegant 40mm Case with a Midnight Grey Dial

Last year, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by a new watch, coming from Germany: the Saxon One by Tutima Glashütte. While the brand certainly is better known for its pilot chronographs or the high-end Patria collection, they’ve decided to change drastically their philosophy and to jump into the luxury sports watch concept, with an integrated case/bracelet construction. While the first versions were rather robust, Baselworld 2018 was the occasion to launch a more restrained version, which you’ll see here.

HANDS-ON: The Patek Philippe Ref. 5524 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

Effectively a new dial and case metal of an existing reference, initially launched in white gold with a blue dial, what makes this new version of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time really interesting is the way it was unveiled, and the sister piece that accompanies it. It’s hard to believe, but Patek Philippe finally joined the modern world of social media in the week leading up to Baselworld 2018, and their first big announcement through the channel was this new release, alongside a “ladies version” measuring 37.5mm in diameter, which has been dubbed the ref. 7234R. Both sizes are powered by the same caliber, and, quite frankly, both are within a conservative size range that could be worn by either gender without the faintest question. Because the duo of chocolate brown gems are so similar other than in diameter, we’re focusing our attention on the bigger of the two pieces: the Ref. 5524 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time. Vital statistics First things first, when images were released of the new Calatrava Pilot I wasn’t quite sold. There was quite a bit of debate out there when the initial Calatrava Pilot surfaced, and what business Patek Philippe really had in getting into…

The post HANDS-ON: The Patek Philippe Ref. 5524 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

Buying Guide – 5 Desirable Brown Watches Launched in 2018

For the past 5 or 6 years, we’ve seen a massive array of blue watches launched on the market. All brands – really, all of them – had a blue version of an existing watch to show (with or without success though). So now that blue has become the new black, it is time for our dear watchmaking brands to come with something new. And if that’s not entirely established yet, it seems that brown watches could well be the upcoming trend. Here are 5 of them, launched at Baselworld 2018.

Watch Dandy

Category: BaselWorld