Category: Dress Watches

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronomètre with New Slate-Grey Guilloché Dial (Hands-On)

Master watchmaker and restorer Michel Parmigiani unveiled his first watch in 1996, the Toric. Distinguished by its knurled bezel and harmonious proportions, the Toric was reinterpreted in a more contemporary key in 2017 with the Toric Chronomètre, and again in November 2018 with a tasteful hand-guilloché dial. The impeccable elegance of this dress watch is given yet another wardrobe update with this Pre-SIHH 2019 Toric Chronomètre model with a slate-grey guilloché dial. Apart from the different colour on the dial, the 2019 model is not covered by the Qualité Fleurier seal but another certification.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel

With the SIHH 2019 only a month away, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetite. Among them is Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has unveiled a superb new version of one of their classics. Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel, showing the artistic crafts of the Grande Maison.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel

With the SIHH 2019 only a month away, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetite. Among them is Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has unveiled a superb new version of one of their classics. Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel, showing the artistic crafts of the Grande Maison.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Frederique Constant Classics 24H – An Unusual (and affordable) Approach to Consulting the Time

There is no stopping the steady flow of models emerging from Frederique Constant, all steeled for battle in the mid-price arena. The latest Classic Automatic 24H, equipped with a 24-hour function, joins the well-populated Classics collection and will retail for under EUR 1,000. My first take on the newcomer was that this was a practical GMT watch, designed for men on the move. But where was the additional hand to read the second time zone? FC’s new watch is a bit of a mind teaser and presents a different way of reading the hours based on a 24-hour format. Instead of the standard hour hand advancing in 12 increments of one hour twice a day, the hand is slowed down to half its regular speed to read the 24-hour disc on the dial. Once you have got your mind around the fact that the hour hand makes one rotation a day and not two, things start to make sense.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – The Comeback of the Tonneau in the Cartier Privé Collection

The Tonneau Watch by Cartier always had a special place amongst collectors. Certainly less famous than other shaped watches designed by the Parisian Maison (Tortue, Crash, Tank, Santos, Drive, Ballon Bleu and many more), it remains one of the most original and certainly one of the most elegant creations ever done by Cartier. Thanks to the Revival of the “Privé” branding, with the reinterpretation of the Crash in 2015 and the Tank Cintrée in 2017, we see more of those beautiful shapes watches coming back in the brand’s portfolio. For the SIHH 2019, the Tonneau Watch is coming back.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Two New Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Models in Steel and Red Gold

It might be hard to believe but we’re already into December, which means its nearly January. Incredible as it sounds, the first major watch fair of the New Year is mere weeks away. That means it’s preview time. We’ve already shown you several models from the likes of IWC, Piaget, HYT and Laurent Ferrier. Now it’s Montblanc’s turn. First on our list are two new Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronographs.

7 years ago

Introducing – Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic & Heart Beat, Face-Lifted but Still Accessible

Frederique Constant enlarges its Classics Index Automatic collection with three newcomers and revisits the Heart Beat in two iterations. True to its mantra of ‘accessible luxury’, the watches feature restrained proportions, classic styling, a touch of high-end guilloché-like, automatic calibres, and, here’s the catch, a price tag that sets them in a different league from most respected Swiss watchmakers. FC’s message that quality is not symptomatic with prices that compete with your mortgage is getting louder and clearer by the day.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece Opaline Black & White

At the SIHH last year, Laurent Ferrier introduced a superb watch, both visually and technically: the Galet Annual Calendar School Piece. Not only it brought a brand-new movement, hand-wound and with a clever annual calendar display but the design, totally in line with our perception of Ferrier, was just beautiful. And there was that pale yellow gold case too… One of favourite “indie” watches of 2018. As part of the Pre-SIHH 2019 novelties, the Geneva-based brand is launching new versions of this watch, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece Opaline Black & White, with new dial colours and finishes.

7 years ago

Hands-on – The New Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri SPB085, with Stunning Hand-Lacquered Dial

Since its worldwide introduction in 2016, the Seiko Presage collection never ceased to impress. It all started with superb limited edition chronographs with enamel or hand-lacquered Urushi dials (just that…), watches that have been followed by regular production models with enamel dials or funky “cocktail” inspiration, as well as impressive limited editions such as the Shippo. In two years, Seiko has made Presage a collection as interesting as Prospex. Following this trend, the brand unveils today a new limited edition, the Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri SPB085 – and here again, it brings traditional, hand-made Urushi at a stunning price level.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Piaget Altiplano Automatic 40mm with Meteorite Dial (Hands-On)

Two years ago, for the SIHH 2017, Piaget unveiled several new watches (almost a collection) for its best-selling piece, an icon of the ultra-thin concept, the Altiplano 60th anniversary editions, as well as a series of bolder variations with colourful dials. Based on the same concept of an automatic an ultra-thin piece with great attention to the dial, Piaget presents, as part of the pre-SIHH 2019 novelties, a new version of the Altiplano Automatic 40mm, this time with a meteorite dial. And we had the chance to get our hands on it way before January.

7 years ago