OK, we’re not going to enter into too many details now – and you probably learned a lot about this watch with some of our colleagues already. Still, the new F.P. Journe Vagabondage III is a massive novelty: it’s superb, it’s technical, it’s playful, it’s unique in terms of display and it’s rare. In a few days we’ll come with a proper review of this mega-watch (and there’s a lot to say, both on the technical and historical sides).
The marine world has been an integral part of Ulysse Nardin’s history since 1846, when a young watchmaker named Ulysse Nardin created the first coveted marine deck chronometers. These precision navigational instruments, prized by mariners and navies the world over, is nowadays still the main source of inspiration for the Ulysse Nardin Marine Collection, the most know range of watches for this desirable manufacture. As the SIHH 2017 has started, welcome the Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu, a stunning new timepiece in the iconic collection of Ulysse Nardin Marine watches, featuring a sleek, elegant and classical design alongside a brand new movement.
Back in September 2016 we told you about the launch of the revamped Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. An update to one of the brand’s more iconic models, the new ref. 5000T boasted a re-designed dial and an improved movement. At the time however it was only available in a platinum case, unlike its predecessor which was also available in rose gold. At SIHH 2017, Vacheron Constantin completes this evolution with the official unveiling of the ref. 5000T-000R, featuring a gorgeous 18K 5N pink gold case.
Métiers D’Art are deeply ingrained in Vacheron Constantin’s tradition. At SIHH 2017, the Geneva-based Manufacture is introducing a collection in tribute to Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish mathematician and astronomer who heralded a scientific revolution, putting forward the theory of heliocentrism, overturning all existing beliefs. Three different versions bring different interpretations of the theme into three expressions of exceptional craftsmanship – all powered by a movement animating a fascinating reproduction of the earth rotations around the sun.
Like Brice already mentioned in our first Pre-SIHH 2017 coverage introducing the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, IWC follows tradition and revamps an entire collection. We’ve seen such practice happening over the past 4 years and this year is no different. The Da Vinci collection gets revamped, and one of the new models is this IWC Da Vinci 40mm Automatic. Farewell to the tonneau case, welcome to the round case. Farewell to the modern interpretation of the Da Vinci, welcome to the inspired-by-the-original Da Vinci.
Montblanc has more or less reinvented itself over the last few years, with innovative complications, well designed watches, new high-tech materials and development of the Minerva manufactured movements alongside the goal of “accessible luxury”. All offered at a relative competitive price, even if we are talking about the incredible Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter. New for this year will be no less than 5 new TimeWalker models including this Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph UTC, the traveller’s sport chronograph of the collection.
When you think power reserve, you thought that the 7-day IWC’s or the 8-day Panerai’s were already massively powerful – and obviously, they have more power than 99% of the mechanical watches produced. Well, if power is your thing and if you simply hate to wind a watch, you might have to consider the Lange 31… and 31 here is nothing about the diameter of the watch, but it is about the length of the power reserve, in days. Yes, this watch can run for 31 days, coming from one single barrel, when fully wound. Impressive, right. This powerful watch comes in a new version for the SIHH 2017, in white gold with a grey dial.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks you should already be aware that 2017 is the year of the Da Vinci for IWC. In layman’s terms that means that Schaffhausen-based manufacturer has completely overhauled the Da Vinci collection this year, complete with a return to the more traditional (and in my opinion, more attractive) round case. Included within this newly revamped collection is the Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation”, a special watch with an ulterior motive. Read on to find out what it is.
After the massively impressive (yet far from accessible) A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual introduced yesterday, as the main highlight of the SIHH 2017 collection by the Saxon manufacture, we have to go back to the real world and to more usable and pragmatic watches. Well, sort of, as we talk Lange. As part of the novelties is a highly interesting calendar watch, with what certainly the most relevant option to us, the annual calendar – a complication that sits right in the middle between a normal calendar and a perpetual calendar. Here is the discreet and elegant A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Annual Calendar.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is an icon born in 1972 under the pencil of a certain Gerald Genta. It was notable for several reasons – it was the world’s first luxury sports watch, it was imposing, yet impressively thin and, despite being the most expensive watch of its type on the market, it was available only in stainless steel. Collectors had to wait until 1977 to see the apparition of precious metal in this icon (an idea that for long has been rather antinomic with the whole Royal Oak concept). For the SIHH 2017, to mark the 40th anniversary of the first precious metal Royal Oaks, Audemars Piguet introduces a new series of the splendid Royal Oak Extra Thin Ref. 15202 in yellow gold.