Category: Novelty

H. Moser & Cie Introduces The Pioneer Perpetual Calendar – A Steel, Sporty, Entry-Level QP (Review)

In shared thinking, the perpetual calendar has to be, in certain proportions, one of the most classic looking watch. It is widely accepted that the QP is one of the historical complications and for this reason, playing on traditions and century-old heritage, a perpetual calendar is classic. However, not for some brand, who have decided that a QP can be different. Why not? Why not enjoying a sports watch with a complex movement? This is what H. Moser & Cie might have in mind, by introducing the sporty, steel and (sort of) accessible Pioneer Perpetual Calendar.

9 years ago

Classic with a Twist – The new 39mm Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered

A classic with a twist… Much to our satisfaction, we have been seeing smaller watches re-emerge over the past few years. Case in point, the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde off-centered is now available with a 39mm case, in place of the usual 43mm versions, maybe too large to be called dress watches. Things change. We go hands on with this chic timepiece.

9 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.

9 years ago

Hands-On – Werenbach Earth collection, Made From Real Soyuz Rocket Parts

The world of Kickstarter goes above and beyond to try to lure us out of our hard-earned bucks. Projects left, right and center, get launched every day. But every now and then, a project comes along that is, well, out of this world! Pun intended obviously, as the Werenbach Earth collection is made from parts of a salvaged Soyuz MS-02 and MS-04 rocket! So yes, your dial has actually left this earth, possibly orbited it depending on the model you order, and then plummeted back down to land on your wrist (sort of, eventually). The campaign was hugely successful as it’s the most funded project on Kickstarter from Switzerland yet!

9 years ago

Launching on Kickstarter – LAVENTURE Marine Watch

LAVENTURE has created a project to produce a series of timepieces for explorers and adventurers. The watches will be Swiss made and will be 90% made in Switzerland – beating the 60% requirement to be considered “Swiss”. LAVENTURE represents a word for exploring and journeys and the first creation is called LAVENTURE Marine, which has been inspired by the 1960’s diving watches. Just 18km separates where the watch series has been designed and manufactured, making it a real Swiss made watch.

9 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.

9 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.

9 years ago

Introducing The Singer Track1 Chronograph, The Classic Sports Chronograph Reinvented

Must see! The Singer Track1 is the type of watch that makes you stop in your tracks. It’s beautiful, sharp, inspired and powered by a mind-blowing chronograph movement. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how Singer is rebirthing the sport chronograph, elevating it to a whole new level – just like Singer Vehicle Design and his founder Rob Dickinson did with the iconic 911.

9 years ago

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph now with Black Pulsometer Dial (Specs & Price)

The 1815 Chronograph by A. Lange & Söhne might be their best definition of a chronograph, in its purest form. While the icon remains the Datograph Up/Down, it features several additional complications, such as the large date and the power reserve. The 1815 is as pure as you can imagine. Back in 2015 though, the German manufacture updated a bit the model, with the addition (or the comeback) of the pulsometer scale, with the stunning boutique edition. It is this same edition that is today presented in a very Monochrome-style, with the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Black Pulsometer Dial.

9 years ago