Review – Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524R – A Time For Reconciliation

Let’s be honest… The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G (the white gold version) was a hot topic of discussion when launched at Baselworld 2015. Whatever the intrinsic qualities of this watch, it has been misunderstood. Too early, too radical, too different maybe. 3 years have passed now and there’s a new version in the collection, now in rose gold with a warm brown dial, under the ref. 5524R. With this new combination of colours, we think it’s time for the reconciliation. Let’s have a closer look at the now very-Patekish Rose gold Calatrava Pilot.

6 years ago

Introducing – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli Single Flying Tourbillon

What happens when legends collide? Especially when those legends are in different fields. Last year, Roger Dubuis, Lamborghini and Pirelli joined forces, and their unique partnership created the racing-inspired Excalibur Spider Pirelli Double Flying Tourbillon. The skeleton timepiece was not only a technically impressive watch with twin tourbillons front and centre, it also sported a rubber strap created from a Pirelli tire that was actually used in a professional race. The watch helped connect the Roger Dubuis brand with high-performance motorsports and provided both racing fans and watch enthusiasts with an exciting exclusive. Roger Dubuis and Pirelli are back again this year with a new Excalibur Spider Pirelli, but this time with “only” a single flying tourbillon.

6 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Chopard L.U.C XP Esprit de Fleurier Peony

For the last three years, Chopard has adopted the graceful peony flower to decorate its L.U.C XP Esprit de Fleurier 35mm limited editions for women. This year is no exception and Chopard unveiled a beautiful 18k rose gold edition of eight watches decorated with the silhouette of black paper-cut peonies on the dial and exquisite Fleurisanne engraving on the bridges of the movement. As the female representative of the L.U.C XP family, the watch is fitted with a Chopard manufacture ultra-thin automatic movement.

6 years ago

Review – Chopard L.U.C Full Strike in “Fairmined” White Gold (Crystal Clear and Eco-Friendly)

Following the resounding success of the 2016 L.U.C Full Strike in rose gold with its revolutionary use of sapphire crystal gongs, Chopard presents the second version of its minute repeater in 18k white gold – ‘Fairmined’, of course. Monochromatic with subtle silvery grey details on the partially openworked dial, the white gold model is even less conspicuous than its predecessor but packed with all the marvellous technical goodies and distinctive chimes that won this watch the coveted Aiguille d’Or prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Awards (GPHG) of 2017.

6 years ago

Face-to-Face – The Breguet Classique Tourbillon 5367 vs. Early Breguet Pocket-Watches – And Why it’s Such a Quintessential Breguet

The restrained and discreet watches of the Classique Collection are unequivocal, unmistakable members of the Breguet family. Without even thinking about it, they are immediately recognisable as a Breguet. This is all due to what the Maison names the “unmistakable signs” or the quintessential design codes used by the brand for over two centuries. In order to understand exactly what this means in modern-day creations, we’ve visited the Breguet Museum in Paris, talked with Emmanuel Breguet and bring you the brand’s latest creation – the Breguet Classique Tourbillon 5367 – next to two of the most important and earliest creations of Abraham-Louis Breguet.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Czapek Place Vendôme Tourbillon Suspendu GMT, now with “Acanthus Leaves” Engraved on Case

While the recently revived brand Czapek continues its development with the introduction of a highly interesting chronograph, the Faubourg de Cracovie, one watch in the collection – actually, the flagship model – shouldn’t be forgotten: the Czapek Place Vendome Tourbillon Suspendu “Ici et Ailleurs” GMT (quite a complex name indeed). Already an exclusive watch in its inaugural shape, it now becomes even more exclusive with the possibility to have engraved cases, making each watch unique.

6 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 7234R Lady

The turbulence generated by Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref.5524 seems to have abated and the model has landed as a stable member of the Calatrava family. In addition to a fresh iteration of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time for men in warm rose gold, Patek unveiled its first self-winding Travel Time model for women just ahead of Baselworld in an unprecedented move for the brand via an Instagram campaign. There have been choice pickings in the complications arena for women at Patek Philippe in 2018 with the launch of the manual-winding ladies’ chronograph in a round case and this pilot’s watch for women. Equipped with a useful dual time function, Ref. 7234R is housed in refined 37.5mm rose gold case with a glossy chocolate-brown dial decorated with vintage touches. The tasteful combination of rose gold and brown is quintessential Patek making this an excellent choice for globetrotting women, while the sporty, slightly manly charisma of a pilot’s watch will appeal to all those Amelia Earhart out there with a taste for high-flying adventures.

6 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara

Ok, well maybe saying that the watch will have you roaring is a bit of an over-reach, but we know if you are an art- or big-cat lover, this watch is going to hit all the bells and whistles for you. Sorry men, unless you love diamonds, the watch is really meant for the lady in your life. I say “sorry” because I believe that a man would enjoy the boldness of a non-diamond red/orange version of the new Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara created in Plique-a-Jour enamel.

6 years ago

Introducing – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table III

This new watch is certainly not the most discreet candidate we’ve covered this year. It is probably one of the most flamboyant models – to say the least. We also know that some of you won’t like it and will feel it is over-the-top and overdone. In all honesty, we can’t blame you. Yet, there’s …

6 years ago

Introducing – Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor “Montre Ecole” British Racing Green

As we’ve already told you several times – and we even discussed this topic in a cool video here – watchmaking is not the only passion of Laurent Ferrier. He loves cars too. So much that he even raced at the 24h of Le Mans and finished 3rd in 1979. No surprise then to see some of his watches infused with motorsport inspiration. Celebrating the London Craft Week 2018, the brand introduces the Galet Micro-Rotor “Montre Ecole” with a great British Racing Green dial.

6 years ago