Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 5 – The French Connection, Renault Sport F1 x Bell & Ross

Renault came into Formula 1 with a bang, which is to be taken quite literally. At a time where the rulebook seemed virtually limitless, the French manufacturer brought turbocharging into the mix. Fueled by an insatiable hunger for power, combined with ground effects aerodynamics and just about the most daring drivers Formula 1 has ever seen, the constructor pioneered its way to the top! Since 2016 they are back as a constructor and partnered with Bell & Ross, which seems like a very French match. Today we unravel the history of Renault in Formula 1 and why the connection to Bell & Ross is a very logical one.

7 years ago

REVIEW – Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition with Enamel Dial

Recently I had to the good fortune to travel with Ulysse Nardin to Bermuda, to get a taste of the Americas Cup and get to know the folks of the Artemis Racing Team – who are sponsored by the Le Locle-based watch brand. During that trip I borrowed the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, and over the course of the days there, I found out what a great watch this is. Refined, yet bold, chic, yet rugged, and actually perfect for any occasion. Here’s our review of the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, with new enamel dial and very cool strap.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Elegant and Balanced, The Drive De Cartier Moon Phases

At the SIHH 2017, Cartier introduced a watch that I considered a hit (this remains of course very personal), the Drive de Cartier Extra Flat. Slim, refined, elegant, perfectly proportioned, featuring a nice engine… Well, in fact, this watch might be problematic for some. Obvious reason: its price, as only available in gold. Then, it might be too clean, too simple for some. In addition to the existing models (time-and-date and dual-time), Cartier introduced a Moon Phases version of the Drive, with quite some arguments to fell satisfied.

7 years ago

Street art hits the wrist – Manufacture Royale ADN Street Art Collection (Photos, Specs and Price)

After colourful street artist collaborations coming from Richard Mille and TAG Heuer, now the independent high-end brand Manufacture Royale has added something colourful to the collection. The Manufacture Royale ADN Street Art Collection stands out with its unique architecture, like the rest of the ADN collection, and now adds a dose of colours, ‘dressing up’ its movement. A result of its graphic design process, and water printing, each one of these bold timepieces is unique.

7 years ago

Hand-on with Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral – Photos, Specs and Price

Today we go hands-on with the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral, which is the brand’s most basic version with their highly interesting in-house movement. It’s more than just a pretty face, as it features an unusual peripheral rotor that allows for unrestricted views of the CFB 1000 movement inside. After our review of the Manero Power Reserve, and that time we explained the peripheral rotor in depth, we now take a look at the Manero Peripheral.

7 years ago

Rebirth: Carl Suchy & Söhne Walz 1 – Hands-on with Photos, Specs and Price

It’s an age-old recipe; a name from the past to cement your future. A watch company goes bust due to some crisis, lays dormant for a good number of years, and is eventually resurrected with passion and a large sum of money. A lot never make it past the drawing board, some actually make it to prototyping and a few eventually produce actual watches. We’ve seen this with high-end brands like Ferdinand Berthoud or Czapek, or in lower price-bracket with Lebois & Co for instance, all being built on foundations of yesteryear. The latest resurrection to join the party is Carl Suchy & Söhne and we’re introducing you to the Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange Skeleton Chronograph (Live Pics, Specs & Price)

Finding new sources of inspiration and design is, for a watch brand, both necessary and dangerous. A certain, Italian-born brand creating dive watches might be the best example of the non-success of “staying true to its roots“. Evolution is a mandatory evil. It is also the raison d’être of the AeroGT collection by Bell & Ross, a necessary move in a different direction, away from its military roots, and instead shifting the focus to super-cars. Based on the chronograph model launched in 2016, a second version, the Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange Skeleton Chronograph, has now been unveiled.

7 years ago

Introducing – Panerai Mare Nostrum 42mm PAM00716, Tribute to the 1993 Icon (and the History of the Mare Nostrum Collection)

Mare Nostrum, “Our Sea” in latin. This term also sounds like rarity and exclusive model in Panerai collectors’ minds. Indeed, back in the early days of the Florentine manufacture, a chronograph had been created, one that is so rare that it became a legend. Based on this idea and on the few documentation available at that time, Panerai made a first re-edition of the Mare Nostrum chronograph in 1993 (Ref. 5218-301), the date of the first collection of Panerai watches made for civilian use – a watch that became iconic. For 2017, this model comes back in a faithful (but again rare) tribute version, the Panerai Mare Nostrum 42mm PAM00716.

7 years ago

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Marine 1846, A Classical Take On The Iconic Marine Collection

Not just another Marine watch from Ulysse Nardin… At first, that’s what we imagined, and nothing bad in that. The Marine collection is pretty interesting. However, this new Ulysse Nardin Marine 1846 is different, in the details at least, but details that change it all. More classic, more refined, more wearable and overall, very Ulysse Nardin. If for the moment we have to see it on press images, that’s is one we definitely need to investigate later.

7 years ago