Category: Dress Watches

Just Because – The Patek Philippe 5178G Minute Repeater Cathedral Gongs (and its sound)

Recently, Xavier and I had the pleasure to visit Patek Philippe’s manufacture, from the case and bracelet factory to the Haute Horlogerie ateliers. It’s only once you’ve been there that you can understand that something special is going on, especially at the HH workshop. Patek Philippe minute repeaters, which are manufactured there, have always been known to be best-in-class. And believe me, they are. To understand why we had the rare opportunity to go hands-on with the latest addition to the collection, the Patek Philippe 5178G – which is also the occasion to explain the concept of Cathedral Gongs and, of course, we have the sound too.

8 years ago

Review – Nomos Orion “De Stijl” Limited Edition for Ace Jewelers

Recently, we introduced to you the Nomos Orion “De Stijl” Limited Edition, a watch made especially for the Dutch market and retailed exclusively by Ace Jewelers. Celebrating the 100th-anniversary of Dutch art movement De Stijl, it featured the classic, almost austere design of the brand, however here combined with an undeniable, yet discreet creative madness. Enough for us here to have the itch and want to see what this watch does on the wrist… with a special mention for our Founder Frank Geelen, himself a Dutchman.

8 years ago

Introducing – The New Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture With Roman Numerals

The Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture is no stranger to us. It even is a cornerstone of FC’s collection. We’ve already covered it when it has been launched with an elegant ivory dial and we reviewed it in its dark blue dial version. One thing is sure, it’s a watch that we loved. Affordable, well-made, well-powered and elegant. Yet, an evolution is around the corner, as a new version with classical Roman Numerals is about to hit the stores.

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface With Casa Fagliano Strap

The Reverso… A classic among the classics. It is indeed such a watch, however, there’s nothing wrong with a good old classic watch and the Reverso proves it after almost 90 years of existence (its creation dates back 1931). Done in dozens of variations, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces a new model as part of the Pre-SIHH 2018 collection: a Reverso Tribute Duoface elegantly dressed in pink gold and combined with a superb leather strap done by Argentinian bootmaker Casa Fagliano.

8 years ago

Review – Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire with Bespoke Dial – Best Men’s Watch at GPHG 2016

My wrist is a lucky one as I get to test a lot of seriously brilliant wrist watches. Whether it’s the understated Galet Square Tourbillon Double Spiral from Laurent Ferrier, the magnificent Datograph from A. Lange & Söhne, the ultra-thin and über-clean Piaget Altiplano in white gold, or even the € 60.000 Euro impressive Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days, I get to test (and enjoy) some of the most spectacular timepieces of our time. When I got the call from my fellow countrymen Bart and Tim Grönefeld, that they finally secured a 1941 Remontoire for me to test, I was delighted and excited. Here are my thoughts on the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire that now also comes with bespoke dials featuring guilloche and translucent enamel.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Glashütte Original Senator Excellence With Casual Black Dial

Today, we’re taking a closer look at a German-made dress watch that’s not quite a dress watch, the Glashütte Original Senator Excellence with black dial. Modern, stylish and just a little bit quirky, it exudes a sense of casual elegance that is really quite appealing. Comfortable on the wrist and guaranteed to attract more than its fair share of attention, this is definitely an under-the-radar watch that deserves a second look. Read on for all the details.

8 years ago

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” with Stoppable Jumping Second Limited Editions in 3 Colours of Gold and a Stainless Steel Unique Piece

In January 2017, one of the greatest and humblest men I had the chance to meet in this industry, Mister Walter Lange (1924-2017), founder of A. Lange & Söhne, sadly passed away. In honour of its company founder, the Saxon manufacture is enlarging its 1815 collection, a range of watches rich of heritage for the brand, with the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”. Inside this watch is a surprising and unexpected complication, a stoppable jumping seconds hand that dates back to a 150-year-old invention conceived by Ferdinand Adolph Lange. A future collector’s watch for sure.

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the IWC Da Vinci Automatic Edition 150 Years (With new In-House Calibre)

As you’ve no doubt seen or heard already, IWC Schaffhausen is turning 150 next year and we’re told the Swiss watch manufacturer has some pretty major celebrations planned. These include the unveiling of a special Jubilee collection at SIHH 2018, comprising an astonishing 27 limited-edition models. Among them will be this beautifully refined IWC Da Vinci Automatic Edition 150 Years we’re looking at today.

8 years ago