Chronographs Archives - Page 109 of 129

Favre-Leuba Raider Sea-Sky – Combining the Best of Both Worlds

Combining a dive watch and a chronograph is always tricky, both visually and technically. It indeed means adding holes in a case that required to be waterproof. Quite a technical nonsense. Visually, it also means combining land and sea, racing and diving, depth and height. Two worlds that are, at first, in complete opposition. Diving chronographs are hard to master, but Favre-Leuba took up the challenge and proposes its vision of such a watch: the Raider Sea-Sky. The best of both worlds? Let’s find out.

Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition Bronze with new Salmon Dial

In late 2015, Montblanc introduced the first version of the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter. Fitted with a Minerva/Villeret monopusher movement, we were instantly smitten. The initial 18k red gold edition was soon followed by a version in steel, and then a gorgeous bronze number with a champagne dial. This year, Montblanc continues the bronze theme with the introduction of its latest limited edition 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, this time paired with a striking salmon dial.

The A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split – or the Triple “Wow Effect”

In the watchmaking world, there is the chronograph complication – in itself a complex type of movement that is hard to develop and to assemble. Then, there is the flyback chronograph, allowing for an instant reset-start of the timing session. And for years, right at the top of the food chain was the Split Seconds or rattrapante chronograph – the ultimate version of the stopwatch. That was the status quo until A. Lange & Söhne came on the market with a watch nicknamed by collectors the “Mighty Double Split” or the “Über-Chronograph“, a timepiece with split seconds and split minutes. This year, at the SIHH 2018, A. Lange & Söhne presented the Triple Split, the “mighter than mighty” version of its rattrapante chronograph. One watch that holds sway over them all…

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100

In the past years, Montblanc has treated us with some horological sweetness. That sweetness mainly came in the shape of chronographs featuring the old Minerva calibers 16.29 and 13.21, both showcases of how incredibly beautiful old Minerva chronographs can be. It started (again) with the arrival of CEO Jerôme Lambert (now COO of most Richemont watch brands) who launched the Pulsograph into Heritage Spirit collection back in 2014. This beauty featured the lovely historical Minerva calibre 13.21. In the following years, various iterations of the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter were introduced, featuring the magnificent large chronograph calibre 16.29.

The Breitling Navitimer 8 Collection, Georges Kern’s First Creation as CEO of Breitling

After he unexpectedly left IWC and joined Breitling as new CEO, Georges Kern was under the radar… We were all waiting for the first novelty to come out of the Grenchen-based manufacture. And today, here THEY come. Indeed, it’s not a watch but a full collection, named the Breitling Navitimer 8 collection, which is today introduced. 5 different models, 5 different displays, 5 different movements, 1 entirely new concept. Let’s have a look at Kern’s first creation.

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – Bell & Ross Vintage BR-V2 Steel Heritage

One year ago, for Baselworld 2017, Bell & Ross introduced a new “Vintage” collection, their classical range of watches, with round cases and more reasonable dimensions. This new BR Vintage collection was fully redesigned to be thinner, smaller and more elegantly shaped. Quite a success, which was later followed by several colourful limited editions, such as the Gardes-Cotes or Bellytanker. Prior to Baselworld 2018, Bell & Ross just introduced a new version in the Vintage collection, the Vintage BR-V2 Steel Heritage. And if the normal ones were already cool, these new ones are certainly even cooler.

The New Zenith Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback, with a Bronze or Aged Steel Case

If the early El Primero watches (the ref. A386 in particular), fitted with one of the very first automatic chronograph movements, are certainly the most iconic pieces produced by the Le Locle-based manufacture, another watch has gained quite some fame recently: the Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Cairelli. Already reissued in 2016 in a limited edition, some new, non-limited versions of the Cairelli-inspired watch have been presented, with exotic materials and a new flyback function – quite relevant for a pilot chronograph. Meet the new Zenith Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback, with Bronze or Aged-Steel case.

Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. Kelly, for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is fast approaching and there is another victory girl in the Graham pin-up line up. The concept of the vintage-inspired pilot chronograph, with its bold lefty-case, combined with painted dials depicting Nose Art is now a signature style for the brand, and there’s a new “babe” coming. She goes by the name of Kelly, she is Asian and she wears a long red floral dress. Here’s an early hands-on look at the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. Kelly.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph With Smoked Dial (SIHH 2018)

Now that the big stress linked to the opening of SIHH 2018 is gone, it is time for us to look at less important novelties. Alongside the RD#2 (the thinnest automatic QP ever), Audemars has many other watches to show in the 2018 collection, including this one, a new version of the Royal Oak Chronograph with a smoked slate grey dial. Nothing revolutionary here, just a cool looking watch – but not for every pocket though.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “150 Years” (SIHH 2018)

IWC celebrates its 150th anniversary with a generous line-up of 27 limited editions of the brand’s icons – including this popular Pilot’s Watch Chronograph, also known as the “FliegerChronograph“. The “150 Years” watch displays elapsed times against a glossy, white lacquered dial that pays tribute to the enamel dials of IWC’s historic pocket watches.

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Category: Chronographs