Category: High-end Watches

Hands-On – Schwarz Etienne La Chaux-de-fonds Tourbillon Petite Seconde Retrograde (Baselworld 2017)

Schwarz Etienne started with a vertical integration strategy a few years ago, going as far as producing hairsprings in-house, with their sister company E2O innovations (read our recent introduction article about the brand here). This involved deep products’ evolution and a strategy based on a modular approach to movement development; a family of mechanical movements was created and evolved into different versions. Today, we take a look at the interesting La Chaux-de-Fonds Tourbillon Petite Seconde Retrograde, which was presented during Baselworld 2017.

8 years ago

Introducing – Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon – Now With Slate Dial, Still With Exceptional Level of Finishing

The Malte always had a special position in the Vacheron Constantin collection, as using something that tends to disappear nowadays: a shaped case. Indeed, the Malte relies on a certain Art-Deco flair, on a voluntarily outdated style that gives the watch all its charm. But this timepiece is not just a pretty face, as inside the case is an exquisitely finished (to say the least) tourbillon movement. And as of now, its 18k pink gold case can be combined to a dark grey dial, for a warmer look. Here is the Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Pink Gold Slate Dial.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Recreating The First Grand Seiko (SBGW251 – SBGW252 – SBGW253) Plus A Modern Reissue (SBGR305)

Seiko, for a long time, has been away from the trend of vintage and reissues. This was simply not their thing, the brand simply emphasized on evolution and modern designs. Yet, since a few years now, and mainly with the arrival of the Presage collection, the Japanese brand now looks at its rich history. For Baselworld 2017, the focus will be on the recreation of the first Grand Seiko, launched for Japan only in 1960 (while the international launch of Grand Seiko took place in 2010), with three limited editions (SBGW251 – SBGW252 – SBGW253). And for those who prefer present days, there will also be a modern reissue, the SBGR305.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – The Urban Jurgensen 1140 now in Platinum with Blue Guilloche Dial

Urban Jurgensen is doing its bit to contribute to global warming this year, with this super–hot, blue dialled limited edition in platinum – Designing an elegant three-hander, stripped of all frills and superfluous details, is not an easy task, which makes the Urban Jurgensen reference 1140 all the more remarkable. Testament to the brand’s uncompromising craftsmanship and horological credentials, it is now produced in a magnificent blue-dialled version, paired with a platinum case. For the Monochrome team, it was love at first sight! A good reason to have a closer look at this quintessential dress watch born from a unique perception of elegance.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Manufacture Royale ADN, Bold & Architectural

Manufacture Royale goes back to its roots to reinvent itself whilst presenting its 9th caliber. Regulated by a flying tourbillon, the MR09 caliber lets users track two time-zones at once, right down to the minute – the local time uses an original jump-hour display. Inspired by the Androgyne, the first model unveiled following the revival of the brand a few years ago, the ‘ADN’ (the French Acronym for DNA) case houses a spectacular skeleton movement, allowing for a detailed view of its inner workings and three-dimensional architecture.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Shine a Light – The Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire

In early 2017, Bulgari unveiled a new addition to its emblematic Octo collection. True to the designs codes of the collection, (in particular a circle framed by an octagon), the lines of Roma have been smoothed featuring only 58 facets instead of the traditional 110 of the regular models. The Roma captures the traditional chic of the collection with urban, universal appeal. Inspired by a bold and nonconformist vision of watchmaking, the Roma is now enhanced with a luminescent tourbillon movement, revealing its inner workings in complete transparency. Meet the Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Introducing the Greubel-Forsey Balancier (Hands-On with Price)

Art in its purest form… While exposing at the SIHH 2017, Greubel Forsey is also introducing a new watch during Baselworld 2017 – Here is the Greubel Forsey Balancier, elevating the essentials to radical watchmaking and insane finishing. No double or Quadruple Tourbillon, no fancy complications, just the pure expression of a classical movement, decorated in the best possible way you can imagine (literally).

8 years ago

Hands-On – Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo 5168G (Blue Dial, White Gold, 42mm)

This year, the Geneva-Based manufacture Patek Philippe is celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of its modern icons, the Aquanaut. As part of a new collection, the brand adds some color and a bit of boldness to a model that have always been playing on the discreet side, with a 42mm and blue dial Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo 5168G.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic & The World’s Thinnest Automatic Movement

Bulgari makes headlines again, this time with “the world’s thinnest automatic movement“. After presenting the thinnest Tourbillon watch and movement (Baselworld 2014) and thinnest minute repeater (Baselworld 2016), we hoped Bulgari would set its sights on breaking yet another record. We were not disappointed…! Presenting the Octo Finissimo Automatic powered by a staggering thin 2.23 mm self-winding movement. Let’s take a closer look at the new world record holder.

8 years ago