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Hands-on – Breguet Reine de Naples 8908, a Gold Easter Egg for a Queen

During our meeting with Breguet at Baselworld 2018, the brand pointed out that Breguet’s women’s watches account for a full 40% of the brand’s sales and that one of the current best-sellers worldwide is the Reine de Naples Ref. 8918 of 2017. The goose that lays the golden eggs at Breguet is the Reine de Naples watch, the distinctive egg-shaped watch that has appeared in countless jewellery variations since its debut in 2002. Revisited this year with Ref. 8908, this Reine de Naples automatic ladies’ model is housed in an 18k rose gold case set with diamonds and features a dreamy Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial, a moon phase complication, and a power reserve indicator.

Buying Guide – 6 of the Best Affordable Watches of Baselworld 2018

A good watch doesn’t have to break the bank. As Baselworld 2018 just ended, we have put together a selection of wallet-friendly watches proving that great things can come in affordable packages. Vintage-inspired, sporty, modern, complicated or just nicely designed… We have selected 6 different watches, all with a strong personality and mainly, great value for the money.

First Look – The Cool Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition Bronze

One of the coolest bronze dive watches just received a new sibling, perhaps an even cooler bronze diving chronograph. For 2018 Oris introduces a new Limited Edition based on the original Carl Brashear commemorative watch from two years ago, and now adds a chronograph to the mix. We’ve already given you a short rundown of the watch, but now we had time to go hands-on with the Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition Bronze during Baselworld 2018.

First Look – Urban Jürgensen 2140 White Gold with a Black Guilloché Dial

It is no secret that we are big fans of Urban Jürgensen here at MONOCHROME watches. Inspired by a century-old history, the singularity of the Swiss/Danish brand lies in a distinctive perception of elegance where craftsmanship, integrity and patience are carefully preserved. The latest addition to the Jules collection, the reference 2140 WG is no exception. This elegant three-hander is delivered in a tastefully restrained white gold case housing a handcrafted guilloche black dial.

Value Proposition – The Metropolitan Watch from Ayers Watches

What does an engineer do when his career path has taken him far from his original field of study and love of graphics and design? Well, if you’re Glenn Lim, you set out to create high-quality, yet accessible mechanical wristwatches. Founded in 2016 with his wife, Sally Lim, Ayers Watches is a new Australian micro brand that focuses on creating exclusive designs using premium materials. The company’s first watch collection, the Metropolitan, has just launched on Kickstarter, so we thought we’d take a closer look.

First Look – Zenith Defy Classic – Smaller, More Affordable, Still Bold

In 2017, Zenith relaunched the DEFY collection and impressed with the Defy El Primero 21, a hundredth-of-a-second chronograph with a 50Hz ultra-high-beat escapement dedicated only to the chrono. But that was not all. Later that year came the Defy LAB, with its revolutionary and unprecedented oscillator – a proper innovation. And finally, there was the new design, with integrated case and bracelet, large diameter and bold shapes. For Baselworld 2018, the design is kept but with more simplicity movement-wise – but not that simple either. Meet the Zenith Defy Classic.

First Look – AkriviA “Rexhep Rexhepi” Chronomètre Contemporain, The New Face of Tradition

Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the most talented watchmakers in the industry. The founder of AkriviA is often presented as the future of independent watchmaking. There are probably no better ways to understand AkriviA than to pay a visit to the brand’s Atelier in Geneva old town. There you’ll discover a handful of detail-obsessed watchmakers bent over their bench, magnifying glass screwed to the eye, working with a set of ancient machine and tools, using century-old gestures. AkriviA watches are impeccable, handmade like in the old days, elevating the watchmaking art to the highest level. But do not be mistaken, the time has not stopped there. The faces of these skilled craftspeople are surprisingly young. AkriviA watches are modern creations infused by fresh, dynamic and passionate watchmaking minds…

Baselworld 2018 – Delma Shell Star Black Tag Limited Edition

Delma is a family-owned company whose origins go as far back as in 1924 when the Gilomen brothers founded their own company in Lengnau, near Biel. In the fifties and sixties, the diving needs, coupled with the growing popularity of Scuba diving, made the importance of robust and trustworthy underwater instruments paramount. This led to the development of the first dive watches. In 1969, Delma introduced the Periscope, its first timepiece with greater water-resistance. A few years later, in 1975, the brand issued its premier professional diver, the Shell Star. For Baselworld 2018, this watch makes a comeback.

Baselworld 2018 – TAG Heuer Unveils the Carbon Monaco, Made with Bamford Watch Department

Recently, TAG Heuer introduced the Monaco Gulf Edition, a watch that was looking back at the very roots of the model, creating the link with Steve McQueen and the “Le Mans” movie. Quite obviously a vintage take on the iconic square chronograph. Well, for Baselworld 2018, the brand has decided to bring avant-garde to this watch, by teaming up with Bamford Watch Department, which has created a bold, contemporary variant of the TAG Heuer Monaco, this time with carbon and aqua blue accents.

Baselworld 2018 – Schwarz Etienne “Ode au Printemps” Limited Edition Box Set

At Baselworld 2018, Schwarz Etienne unveils a limited-edition box set of three watches, which showcase the brand’s watchmaking mastery and expertise in creative artisan crafts. It will be part of a series to celebrate seasons (Ode aux saisons or Ode to seasons). Starting with spring (Ode au Printemps or Ode to spring), the first opus celebrates the awakening of life eloquently pictured with flowers and bees. The choice of the insect is not accidental as the coat of arms of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the city of Schwarz-Etienne, features a gold-coloured hive surrounded by bees. The special edition also aims at raising awareness for their preservation and protection.

Watch Dandy

Category: Novelty