Hands-on – Seiko Prospex Turtle “Save The Ocean” SRPC91K1 Special Edition

The comeback of the “Seiko Turtle” was certainly one of the best moves the Japenese brand did recently. Affordable, cool-looking, solid and reliable, it is one of the best dive watches in the sub-1k category. After the inaugural versions, Seiko played on the success of this watches by launching multiple limited/special editions (PADI, Lagoon, Black…). Another one has just been presented, the ref. SRPC91K1, the result of Seiko’s partnership with Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s grandson… And once again, it’s another very cool affordable dive watch.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Redesigned Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Retrograde Calendar

For more than 25 years, Maurice Lacroix has offered to watch enthusiasts nicely executed watches with unusual displays – mainly retrograde indications – yet with friendly prices. This collection, named “Masterpiece”, allows access to complications and manufacture movements without breaking your piggy bank. In 1999, ML launched its first retrograde watch, the Masterpiece Retrograde Calendar. 19 years later, this signature watch comes back fully redesigned. Let’s have a look at the 2018 Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Retrograde Calendar.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition (now with proprietary movement)

When Porsche Design makes a watch, it does so according to the “Deutsche Gründlichkeit” philosophy, a way of engineering and constructing everyday objects (with a bit of imagination) with as little fuss and as much efficiency as possible, all focused on the usability of the item. After the Porsche Design 1919 collection, it is now the Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition’s turn to receive the new flyback movement. Let’s find out more, shall we?

8 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.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Jacob & Co. Epic X Titanium: Has it Got the X Factor?

With no diamonds, no twin-triple-axis tourbillons or off-the-wall complications, the Epic X collection is Jacob & Co.’s answer to an everyday men’s watch. Aggressively contemporary, the Epic X Titanium is sheathed in an ultra-bold, yet totally original 44m Grade 5 titanium case and features a manual-winding skeletonised movement for the hours and minutes. The overall impression is one of transparency and airiness providing an exceptional view of the movement.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Complex Glashütte Original Senator Cosmopolite Now in Steel

The vast majority of people are comfortable with watches simply displaying hours and minutes but multiple time-zone watches are (and we can tell thanks to our own experience) useful for globetrotters or those who need to keep track of time in different countries. With the Senator Cosmopolite, Glashütte Original’s take on the complication is packed with a unique set of features, making for a highly functional and original travel watch. Initially launched in gold in 2015, its sophisticated mechanism is now cased in steel – thus more accessible (or, at least, less expensive).

8 years ago

Hands-on – Ulysse Nardin Freak Out – The UN Freak Concept More Affordable Than Ever

It all started in the early 1980s with the encounter of Rolf W. Schnyder, a visionary businessman and Ludwig Oeschlin, a brilliant horologist. The two men turned Ulysse Nardin, a century-old manufacturer into one of the most innovative watch brands around. The most striking development brought to life by the duo is, without a doubt, the Freak (2001). This legendary timepiece was powered by a revolutionary in-line movement pivoting on itself to indicate the time. It was regulated by the cutting-edge ‘dual direct escapement’. With the Freak, Ulysse Nardin not only became a silicon pioneer (as such it is a true game-changer in the watch industry) but developed a concept like no other regarding design, display and technology.

8 years ago

Hands-on – MeisterSinger Lunascope – The Single-Hand Watch goes “Astronomical”

MeisterSinger, the German brand famed for pioneering the single-hand watch trend, has just introduced its first astronomical watch – the Lunarscope. Occupying the top half of the dial is an oversized moonphase display, set against a dark blue, starry background. It’s a direct contradiction to the brand’s usual minimalist aesthetic but surprisingly, it actually works pretty well. We spent some time getting hands-on with the new model, here are our thoughts.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Graham Chronofighter Nose Art Limited Editions

Nose-art is an art form consisting in decorative painting on the fuselage of airplanes, in particular during WWII when colorful images, shark teeth or pin ups appeared on the nose of military aircrafts. As Graham’s most emblematic timepiece, the Chronofigther, is inspired from aviation, the brand started to feature pin-ups on the dial of its Chronofighter Nose Art in 2017 and new girls just joined the Graham pin-up squad at Baselworld 2018.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Bell & Ross Vintage BRV2-94 Racing Bird

In 2017, Bell & Ross debuted its revamped “Vintage” collection and it instantly became my favourite range from the brand. Since then, the company has been steadily knocking them out of the park with tasteful, vintage-inspired models, ranging from the simple Vintage BR V1-92 Military to the sportier BR V2-94 Vintage Chronograph. The latest offerings to the collection come in the form of the Bell & Ross Vintage BRV1-92 & BRV2-94 Racing Bird, the latter of which we are getting hands-on with today.

8 years ago