Last month, we wrote about an unexpected new timepiece from an unexpected source: the Clifton Baumatic from Baume & Mercier. Officially unveiled at SIHH 2018, we had the chance to spend some time getting hands-on with this all-rounder/dress watch and were quite impressed with what we found. The big news was, of course, the introduction …
If you are a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you will be familiar with the independent watchmaker Czapek. A name with a lot of history (François Czapek was a Geneva-based Polish watchmaker whose 6-year partnership with Antoni Patek gave birth to remarkable watches before the latter founded Patek Philippe with Adrien Philippe), the brand was revived in 2015 with the launch of the Quai des Bergues. The first modern Czapek creation was awarded the Public Prize at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2016. At Baselworld 2017, the brand introduced the Place Vendôme tourbillon featuring a GMT indication.
In 2016, Cartier, the master of beautifully shaped cases, introduced a stylish dress watch for men; the Cartier Drive. Offered in gold or steel, it was an instant hit. Hot on the heels of this initial success, came the Drive Extra Flat in 2017, an even more refined and attractive dress watch that really turned our heads. Unlike the earlier Drive models, however, this beauty was only available in precious metals and, consequently, came with a rather hefty price tag. This year, however, we are pleased to say that Cartier has introduced the Drive Extra Flat in steel, and it is quite an attractive package at that.
Since 1932, Omega is the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games and the brand learnt that they will fulfil this role until at least 2032 (even if we don’t know yet where the Games will be located). Easy to count… The Biel-based brand will be present at the Olympics for a full 100 years. To celebrate this legacy, Omega presents a new podium of watches known as the Seamaster Olympic Games Gold Collection, some elegant vintage-inspired timepieces representing the three winning medals presented to athletes at the Olympic Games.
To me, one of the true marks of a great watch manufacturer is the ability to make interesting and desirable timepieces across a range of price points. Unfortunately, few brands seem to be able to achieve this with any consistency. There are exceptions of course, and A. Lange & Söhne is most certainly one of them. Proving my point is the new Saxonia Outsize Date, which was officially launched last month at SIHH 2018. We managed to spend a bit of hands-on time with the watch and can confirm it is as nice on the wrist as it looks in the photos.
As journalists crowded around the viewing table to admire the technical fireworks of A. Lange & Söhne’s Triple Split at the SIHH 2018, I made my way to a less congested table and was treated to a hands-on session with the new members of the Little Lange 1 family. Like its Moon Phase sibling introduced last year, the new Little Lange 1 trilogy flaunts an incredible guilloché dial (without a moon phase complication) and all the hallmark traits of its Lange 1 heritage. But what nobody expected was the surprising injection of colour.
As part of their Baselworld 2017 collection, Jaquet Droz introduced a watch that we reviewed here and that I personally loved and considered as one of the most achieved pieces in the signature “Grande Seconde” collection. Based on the iconic 8-shaped dial, the addition of the date and the moon indication gave the watch a lovely complicated, yet balanced design. As a preview of the upcoming Basel fair, a new version is coming, in the name of the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel.
For the SIHH 2018, Laurent Ferrier had quite a lot of novelties up his sleeve and his latest watch features a new movement and an unprecedented complication for the brand: an annual calendar. Housed in the sleek, round Montre Ecole (School Piece) case, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar already impressed us just by looking at photos… And then came the surprise of Ferrier’s new movement housed in a great looking new gold alloy. Clearly, one of the most elegant and desirable watches of the SIHH 2018.
For many of us these days, regular international travel seems to have become a common occurrence. Whether for pleasure, or more likely, for business, the challenges of managing multiple time-zone changes are very much a reality. Not only is it tough on your body and soul (anyone who is reading this from their hotel room at 3am will know what I mean), it can also be a pain making sure your watch is set to the right time. Sure, you can just rely on your smartphone (boring), or you can invest in a handsome, yet affordable worldtimer, such as the soon to be released Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture Green Dial.
The Cartier Santos is back! Based on the first wristwatch created by Cartier in 1904 for aviator Santos Dumont, this legendary model had been in the collection since its introduction in 1978 – at least, the modern version of the Santos, with a steel case and screwed bezel. However, the Santos was discontinued two years ago – and for a good cause. A new model is about to hit the stores and Cartier presented its redesigned version at the SIHH. Meet the new Cartier Santos 2018, tested here in steel, large size and with quite some cool features for the strap/bracelet.