Up Close with with the Controversial Piaget Polo S

Piaget unveiled the Polo S in July. It was a surprise for most, being an entry-level, but still luxe, sports watch for a brand best known for its ultra-thin watches and jewellery. The inevitable and inescapable first impression of the Polo S is the resemblance to the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Aquanaut – the striped […]

8 years ago

HANDS-ON: Is the Bell & Ross BR 126 Aeronavale the best (and boldest) Vintage model yet?

bell-ross-126-aeronavale-5Bell & Ross has never been afraid of colour. And their bold, highly graphical square instrument watches are a natural canvas for creative experimentation. The brand’s more traditional round watches are a little bit of a different story – inherently more conservative; B&R tend to play things safer with their Vintage collection. Which is why the Aeronavale range is such a big old bolt from the blue – and boy, did the risk pay off. While the form of the Vintage BR 126 Aeronavale (and indeed the simpler BR 123) is the same as regular versions, the execution is simply stunning. Bell & Ross has managed to turned a 43mm steel chronograph, running off an ETA-based movement into a glittering jewel. Key to this transformation is the rich blue starburst dial, with radial brushing. The twin subdials contrast nicely, thanks to the fine circular engraving. Thanks to this ever-changing finish the watch already dances and plays in different lights, but when you add gold toned hands and applied hour markers you get a watch that doesn’t stop. It looks incredible on the wrist. In low lights it looks dark, almost reserved, but as soon as you a stray beam catches it at the…

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8 years ago

Review: Manufacture Royale 1770 Micromegas Revolution

Manufacture Royale was founded in 1770 by French philosopher Voltaire who was one of the main figures of the French enlightenment. Voltaire believed in the importance of having a heart that is free in spirit and independent of things.…

8 years ago

Hands-On with the F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain 10th Anniversary in Titanium

The F.P. Journe boutique in Tokyo  just marked its 10th anniversary with the Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire, a limited edition that’s the latest in the brand’s series of boutique-only watches in titanium and red gold. F.P. Journe has made it a tradition to mark the anniversary of its stores with limited edition wristwatches in titanium with red gold […]

8 years ago

IN-DEPTH: Bell & Ross think outside the square with the sharply styled BR 123 Aeronavale

bell-ross-123-aeronavale-4The story in a second Bell & Ross ditch the tactical style of the flight deck in favour of the formality of the parade ground. Ever since I reviewed the surprisingly seductive beige dialled Vintage BR 123 way back in the early days of Time+Tide I’ve had a soft spot for Bell & Ross’s round watches. The Vintage line offers a solid platform for the design-oriented brand play with colour, materials and military codes. Don’t believe me? Look at the watch above, then compare it to the beige dialled version, and finally check out this blacked-out chrono. Same essential platform – three completely different results. The unifying factor? A link back to the world of aviation. In the case of the Aeronavale the inspiration is more parade ground and less flight deck – the distinctive blue and gold livery comes from the dress uniforms of French naval pilots – the Aeronavale. The dial It seems the French navy know a classic colour combo when they see one, because the deep blue and shining gold of the Aeronavale is a real winner. It translates well on the wrist too. The sunburst blue dial and applied gold tone markers and hands look sharp…

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8 years ago

Hands-on Review – The Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller, when Haute Horlogerie meets ease of use

Travelling is rarely a relaxed affair. There’s the packing, the rushing to the airport or train station, losing your passport, finding it again, running the gauntlet through security. By the time you get to your destination you’re pretty much guaranteed to be exhausted (and let’s face it probably a little buzzed). The last thing you want to be doing is fiddling around trying to adjust your watch to a new time-zone. Enter the Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller, a watch as attractive as it is easy to use. When haute horlogerie meets functionality…

8 years ago

IN-DEPTH: The Cartier Clé de Cartier in steel

cartier-cle-steel-sliderThe story in a second Cartier’s key collection of 2015 just became a whole lot more accessible.   Much fuss has been made over Cartier’s manly new Drive collection, and rightly so. But the Parisian powerhouse also released another excellent, and highly anticipated, men’s watch this year – the Clé de Cartier in steel. It’s no secret that we fell pretty hard for the Clé when we first met at SIHH 2015. The only potential spanner in the works? It was only available in pricey precious metals. Well, if you’re less about the shiny stuff and more about the stainless, you’re in luck. The dial Cartier doesn’t often mess with their trademark attributes, and that’s a good thing when it comes to dial and handset. So, expect the expected: Roman numerals, blued sword hands and guilloché centre detail. Familiar and reassuring. It’s a simple design, but not boring. There’s enough detail here, from the multiple dial finishes, through to the well-designed date and the secret signature to reward close examination. And of course it all looks gorgeous under that softly domed sapphire crystal. The case If the dial is traditional Cartier, the case is where the brand has flexed their design prowess. The circle…

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8 years ago

Review: Chopard L.U.C. Time Traveler One Worldtime hands-on

Chopard is one of the under-rated manufactures in the world of haute horlogerie. Nestled in the Fleurier, they began in earnest with in-house manufactured movements some 20 years ago through the diligent efforts of their c0-President Karl-Frederich Scheufele. The house was already immensely successful before the L.U.C. manufacture, making high…

8 years ago