After a series of well-received updates to both its Top Gun and Classic pilot collections announced at SIHH 2016, it could be argued that the Schaffhausen manufacture’s bread-and-butter is punctuating a return to its former glory, and not a moment too soon.
With so much of their brand recognition built upon the history of the Reverso, some of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s other pieces can often be overlooked. This is especially true with their sports watches, and that’s a shame, as pieces like this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph Ceramic watch are some of the most compelling pieces on the market.
Our interest was piqued by the idea that Cartier wanted to release the classic Santos 100 in ADLC, and now we have had a chance to spend some time with the Santos 100 Carbon. The result? A classy, sleek, yet sportier alternative to the average Cartier.
It took me several years to finally track down a Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon watch to check out hands-on. My opportunity came only after seeing the man himself wearing it. It was back in 2013 when Vianney Halter released this science-fiction-themed über-gizmo that playfully combined traditional haute horology with modern themes in a way that was still elegant.
If there were any watch out there that embodies the unfussy tool watch, the Sinn 358 DIAPAL must be near the top of the list – even though the same could be said of a great number of watches from the quintessentially German brand. DIAPAL, by the way, is Sinn’s oil-free escapement system that helps a watch work better for a longer time and is denoted by a gray dial on every Sinn watch that utilizes the system.
At SIHH 2016, Audemars Piguet showed off its Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie Tourbillon Chronograph watch, a minute repeater watch of extreme engineering and without any peers.
The middle-market luxury watch brands owned by the Swatch Group such as Hamilton, Tissot, Longines, Mido, and Certina are delivering some of the best values in mechanical watches today, and oddly, few people who like watches are noticing. On that note, let’s take a look at the Tissot Heritage 1936 Mechanical wrist watch, and the Tissot Bridgeport Lepine Mechanical pocket watch.
While most men’s watches Breguet produces are round, the Heritage 5410 is a rare exception. The Breguet Heritage 5410, which features a tonneau-shaped case along with distinctive Breguet elements is a really nicely made package. Tonneau watches have been around for almost 100 years, but have most recently become popular thanks to two extremely different brands: Franck Muller and Richard Mille.
That same lovely Cartier diver, but what a difference blue can make. From steel to solid gold, the Calibre De Cartier Diver Blue wears the color well, adding a playful touch of personality to a brand often characterized by their stoic aesthetic.
In early 2016, Zodiac released this Sea Dragon Chronograph collection, which currently represents the most high-end Zodiac watches available. There are a few standard-edition Zodiac Sea Dragon Chronograph watches available, as well as two, more expensive, limited-edition models that offer unique color palettes.