HANDS-ON: The olive green dial of this TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph is incredible
As you may have seen here and here, we have been taking a closer look at the latest chapter in the TAG Heuer Carrera collection that sees a total redesign of one of the brand’s most historically important families. But within this new collection, the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph green dial catches the eye differently. Both the boldness of the dial colour and the restrained bezel execution see this watch stand out in a refreshing light, and make it a different proposition from the rest of the collection. In the new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph green dial you’ll find the same specs as the rest of the collection. That includes the 44mm steel case, that will sit just over 15.3mm off your wrist. As we covered in our collection review, those dimensions might be a little daunting on paper, but thanks to the redesigned case, it wears very comfortably on the wrist despite those larger numbers. You still get the same iconic Carrera lugs that can be recognised for the sharpness of their lines, and their natural flow from the case, but they have been shortened slightly. This, along with their gentle curve downwards to match the contour…
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My dad once told me to never spoil a good story with the facts, and that’s a sentiment that seems to be well-loved within the watch industry. Whether it’s a Rolex reaching the summit of Everest, or the friendly tale of a hiker named Daniel Wellington, every watch is made just that little bit more special knowing it has some sort of associated mythology. When it comes to Cartier, these stories are no less exciting, and quite a few of them are actually true. The origin of the Cartier Pasha, however, is a little more murky, but we’ll come to that later. Back in April, which may only feel like a few weeks ago, Cartier revealed the return of the Pasha at the online edition of Watches & Wonders 2020. The watch had always blurred the line between sporty and dressy, providing utilitarian features such as a rotating dive bezel, date display, and a screw-down canteen crown with 100m of water resistance, all while maintaining a look of exuberant elegance and art-deco influences. These new watches honour that philosophy, though the removal of the dive bezel is the most obvious step towards the making of a more streamlined timepiece. The…
Bulgari has revived a late ’90s classic with the new Bulgari Aluminium collection this year. A great blend of daily and luxury wear, these lightweight watches pack a heavy punch. While watch designs can be quite homogenous in a traditional industry, the new Bulgari Aluminium 2020 models are welcome revivals with their distinct Bulgari aesthetic. The case(s) These new models are fabricated in a great everyday material: aluminium. While aluminium is not considered a luxury material, when done right, it can provide a luxury experience on the wrist. The lightweight aluminium makes for an elegant yet sporty and smart-casual aesthetic. Bulgari, an expert in original design, has made it clear this is a Bulgari watch. The brand name can be found on the dial and twice on the surrounding text of the bezel, making this case triple stamped proudly with the name of the master Maison. It’s also embossed on the first rubber link of the strap on both sides of the case. However, given that the bezel and strap are in black matt materials, these branded elements are less obvious, and less blingy than they sound. The crown guards protect the crown from shearing during physical activity. Both cases…
There is an endless succession of fads, curiosities and sensations on social media. @horomariobro is not one of them. And if you need to stop now and follow him, we’ll forgive you. His extraordinary macro photography and videography, coupled with insightful commentary on what his lens has captured, has hit Instagram with the force of a revelation. When it comes to dropping the knowledge, Mr Mario speaks in frank layman’s terms that any fan can understand. Sometimes he’s awed. Sometimes he’s disappointed. But always, he’s interesting beyond belief. Every single post is a must-read. It’s not over the top to say he’s become a conscience for the industry, seeing through the hype to the #details that reveal which of your most revered brands are truly obsessive about perfection. Therefore, in a few short months, he has become legend. And he is in a company of one when it comes to posting eagle-eyed, truth telling vignettes that will make you feel differently about all kinds of brands. Want to know if your Grand Seiko polishes the underside of its hands? Want to watch ultra slo-mo of your flyback chrono returning to zero? @horomariobro is here to help. And sometimes, to harm the reputations of generally unimpeachable brands. Patek? Lange? Journe?…
Editor’s note: The closer we have come to this new collection by TAG Heuer, the more details we have noticed and begun to appreciate. For example, the very unusual radially brushed finishing of the lush dials. See in the pics below. Yet more proof that big-box brands are still very aware of the power of nuance, detail and delight. In true style, TAG Heuer are celebrating a very big birthday this year. The brand is celebrating its 160th anniversary and, as you can see here, have been marking the occasion properly with a number of exciting new watches. One of the most exciting releases from the brand is not an individual watch, however, but the new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection that we first covered right here. Sitting within one of the brand’s most important families, the Carrera, this latest collection of four new watches is an enthusiastic new take on a design that has seen tremendous success over the decades. Both the case and dial have been redesigned to offer a more modern and sporty-feeling watch on your wrist, without losing any of the critical design DNA that is found within the Carrera collection. We’ve recently had the opportunity…
Editor’s note: The real surprise from Rolex’s new releases last week for me? Not 1mm. Not candy pink. Nope. The stomach-clenching moment came when I learned that the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 ref. 114300 would be discontinued. And the thing is, it’s just about the last model I would have ever worried about losing. The Air-King? Shocked it’s still around to be honest. The Explorer II? Due for a refresh. But a watch as classic and perennially on-trend as a 39mm OP? ESPECIALLY in that Goldilocks 39mm size? My eyebrows are still raised. And by saying that I’ve “lost access” to it, of course, I can buy it on the aftermarket for 25 per cent above retail (it can now be bought for circa $10,000AUD), and you could possibly hunt one down at retail (retailers, you know where to find me) but I’m just not going to do that in my current mindset. It’s too soon. So for now, it’s the Rolex on my list that got away. The one I waited too long for. Took for granted. So, let’s go into the pain and revisit it. And hey, if you see something you love, move on it. It may not be there tomorrow. The…
Well, the enthusiastic comments on the video, the site post and the socials have confirmed it – this new Raymond Weil Freelancer in a pitch perfect olive green, with that eye-catching exposed balance well and truly have your attention. Which is why we thought we’d upgrade the Hands-On review and bring it to you in the metal, as well. Questions about the dial, its texture, and case and size etc will all be answered herewith. To recap, and in short, Raymond Weil has spent the best part of a decade languishing a good distance away from the zeitgeist that has been the rise of practically a whole new vanguard of competitors. But the brilliant thing about competition is that it has the ability to breed success. And that’s what the new Raymond Weil Freelancer Calibre RW1212 in Green is … a straight up success. Chief among its charms is simply the way it looks. It’s easily the most attractive RW in years, but it’s not the only reason why this watch is worth a look. It’s also got some good tech-specs, a nice, contemporary feel and … it’s green, which is the new “it” colour in watch world. Well done…
I am beginning to run out of synonyms for the scope of Grand Seiko for 2020, with yet another impressive reference being pulled out of what seems to be a very deep hat. This time we are looking at the Grand Seiko SBGC238, a limited edition of the largest most angular case possibly ever from the brand. It is a shape that echoes strength in a futuristic form that, in spite of its angular weapons-grade appearance, sits very comfortable on the wrist, once again setting the bar for large-case ergonomics. The case Yes, we are looking at a large chunk of 18k rose gold, bringing a subtle twist to the toughness of this particular shape that entered the fray in 2019, which, with its tough-looking body, is inspired by the Grand Seiko lion. This is especially visible in the sharp, angled corner of the cushion-shaped case, symbolising the razor-sharp ferocity of the lion’s claw. The delicate juxtaposition of the Zaratsu polish on the case end and sides plays brilliantly against the brushed angles, made even clearer with the rose gold. This particular case shape is unlike the more rounded or 44GS-inspired shapes we are used to from Grand Seiko, creating…
In a move that sees one of their most recognisable families undergoing a revitalisation, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection is a serious statement by the brand. The Carrera DNA is clear for all to see, but the case and dial have been reinvigorated with some subtle changes that deliver a more contemporary and energetic collection under the historic name, a change that is as exciting as it is welcome. The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection is made up of four new references, all of which are cased in 44mm of stainless steel. There is a range of dial tones on offer, with blue, green and black options creating a palette that is as diverse as it is on trend. Of the four references, there is one that has a little extra panache, with the black dial reference on alligator leather strap coming complete with rose gold highlights found in the hands, hour markers, chronograph pushers and crown. The other three references are more utilitarian in their finishing, with the steel cases integrating nicely with their steel bracelets, secured with folding clasps. TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection price and availability: The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph…
Last year, self-taught watchmaking artisan and creative genius Hajime Asaoka decided he wanted to launch a more accessible range of watches to satiate those who loved his creations but could not afford them. The bespoke watches made under Hajime Asaoka’s name start at around $40,000 USD and take a year or more to produce. Kurono Tokyo, however, is a different story. As the Kurono watches website explains, “Kurono aims to deliver to watch collectors a more accessible timepiece that shares the design DNA of Hajime’s exclusive handmade atelier watches, at affordable levels.” To date (not including the Japanese Domestic Market references released under the name Chrono Tokyo), the brand has released two watches in varying dial colours – and all sold out the day they launched on their website. Let’s get to know them… The watches The first is a time-only watch. The first three models released by the brand were the Kurono Bunkyō Tokyo Eggshell, Blue, and Grey in June 2019. Each colour was made in a run of 50 pieces. Six months later, in December, the duo of time-only “Reiwa” watches were released in 50 pieces per variant. The Reiwa models differed from the initial three in that rather…