Hands-on – Bovet Recital 22 ‘Grand Recital’ – A Fascinating Astronomical Watch

Timekeeping is a child of astronomy. Everything related to the calculation of time and calendar indications has to do with the motion of the Earth, the Moon and, of course, the Sun. It is no surprise that some brands (a few brands…) use this to create complex yet fascinating watches. For its latest creation, Bovet gives a splendid horological recital conducting the Earth, the Sun and the Moon into a celestial ‘pas de trois’. Meet the captivating Bovet Recital 22 ‘Grand Recital’.

7 years ago

Review – Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G

When Baselworld 2018 opened its doors, this new watch came as a surprise. We could have expected this one to be launched for the 40th anniversary of this iconic model – which happened two years ago, with the presentation of the Platinum 3-hand 5711/1P and the White Gold Chronograph 5976/1G. Instead, Patek has decided to wait two more years to introduce the first grand complication in the Nautilus collection. After the chronograph, the annual calendar or the travel time, here is the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G.

7 years ago

Hands-on – The Contemporary Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition

For the last few years, German watch manufacturer, Glashütte Original, has been on a mission to appeal to a younger, hipper audience, and it seems to be working. Best known for its restrained, classic aesthetic (very stereotypical German, in other words), the brand has made a concerted effort to inject some colour and personality into its various line-ups. Some of my recent favourites include the Sixties Iconic Square collection, with five distinctively colourful dials, the sporty-looking Senator Chronograph Panorama Date in steel and the recent modern, yet classic, additions to the Senator Excellence collection. Now, there’s another new model to add to that list; the Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition.

7 years ago

First Look – Patek Philippe 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with Superb Salmon Dial

The perpetual calendar chronograph is a combination of complications that ‘belongs’ to Patek Philippe. The 5270 continues a long tradition initiated in 1941. It was introduced in 2011 with a in-house movement as the successor of the 5970, itself an evolution of the 3970 (read our article about the different generations of the 5270 here). It is now available for the first time in the noblest of all metals, platinum. And it comes with a truly stunning salmon dial that – as often with salmon dials – is elegant, unostantatious but with that very special twist.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition

For quite some years already, Glashütte Original is working hard to bring a more contemporary feel to its usual German design. Known for being one of the very best watchmakers in the region, the brand was clearly on the conservative side for decades. New collections are bringing a younger and more modern taste to these Teutonic pieces, such as the Senator Chronograph “The Capital Edition” or the casual 3-hand Senator Excellence. For Baselworld 2018, we have a new example of this strategy, with the Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G

As surprising as it gets, this is the first time the iconic Nautilus receives such a complicated movement. It already features annual calendars, several chronographs, a weird display on the 5712, but never Genta’s brainchild has been offered with one of Patek’s signature “grande complication” movements, the 240 Perpetual Calendar.

7 years ago

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Purity Cosmic Green

Moser & Cie. revisits its winning Perpetual Calendar complication in a Cosmic Green fumé dial. Like its 2017 predecessor, the new 42mm white gold Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Purity applies a radically minimalist approach to one of the most revered complications in watchmaking. A triumph of simplicity and elegance, Moser’s Perpetual Calendar Purity belies the machinations of its complex hand-wound movement. Belonging to H. Moser’s Purity line and released in a limited edition of just 50 pieces, this perpetual calendar pushes the envelope of minimalism one step further dispensing with any sign of branding on the dial, in the same spirit as Moser’s Concept watches.

7 years ago

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Ti (and Ti means Titanium…)

The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual (or LM Perpetual) is one of those watches that can’t fail to impress. The most complicated watch in the MB&F collection to date, it relies on a surprisingly classical complication – the perpetual calendar.  Somewhat unexpected in the line-up of MB&F’s habitual watches, it still managed to feel like a Büsser …

7 years ago

Hands-on – MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Ti (and Ti means Titanium…)

The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual (or LM Perpetual) is one of those watches that can’t fail to impress. The most complicated watch in the MB&F collection to date, it relies on a surprisingly classical complication – the perpetual calendar.  Somewhat unexpected in the line-up of MB&F’s habitual watches, it still managed to feel like a Büsser …

7 years ago

IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years”

With IWC introducing so many limited-edition references for its 150th anniversary this year (there are 27 in total), it’s been hard work picking a favourite. The blue dial Portugieser Chronograph is certainly high on the list, as of course is the Tribute to Pallweber. If I had to choose just one, however, I think it would have to be the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years” (IW503405). Striking design, practical complexity and a dial I could literally stare at for hours, it really does offer a lot of watch for the money.

7 years ago