Category: SIHH

Review – The A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite (Spoiler Alert: It is MEGA)

No need to beat around the bush… Some subjects don’t really need to be debated. The new A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite is a superlative watch, a proper masterpiece, mixing all the technical marvels of one of the best manufactures in the world (because for once, it’s outside Switzerland), with a strong respect to traditions and a devotion to what is (to me, at least) the most important in a watch; precision. Yes, you could say that the Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite blows things out of proportion but still, whatever the critics will be, we all must admit that this watch is, in every aspect, mega.

9 years ago

IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph In Steel – The Cornerstone Of The 2017 Collection

As we’ve seen yesterday, the story behind the IWC Da Vinci has been eventful and longer than many thought. If the first edition dates back 1969, it’s really in 1985 that the Da Vinci obtained the recognition we know today, with one iconic version, the Ref. 3750 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, conceived in the mind of genius Kurt Klaus. For 2017, there’s a new Da Vinci collection, which takes inspiration in that vintage model. And this might be the main reason why we heard many collectors praising one edition in particular, the one we believe to be the cornerstone of the 2017 range, the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in Steel.

9 years ago

Eventful, Innovative, Sometimes Unloved, Sometimes Iconic… The History Of The IWC Da Vinci

Over several decades of existence, the IWC Da Vinci has drastically evolved and has seen dozens of versions and style. Yet, even if this watch is certainly not as popular as the Portugeiser or the Big Pilot’s Watch, it has been the field for multiple innovations and milestones for the brand. Before we go hands-on with the latest version of the Da Vinci, in what we think is the key model of the 2017 collection, the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, as a tribute to the famous 1985 watch created by legend Kurt Klaus, a short history of the IWC Da Vinci would be more than useful.

9 years ago

SIHH 2017 – Baume & Mercier Debuts In Sports Watches With The Satisfying Clifton Club

The SIHH 2017 has seen the debuts of an entirely new collection for Baume & Mercier, the Clifton Club, exploring new territories for the brand: sports watches. Indeed, this universe is at first rather far away from what the brand used to do for the last decade. Still, this Clifton Club is an interesting novelty. No marketing artifices about heritage, vintage-inspiration or an obscure past collection. This watch is just what it looks like; a nicely executed, well-designed, well-positioned (price and style) watch that makes us think it might be a relevant reaction to the actual market. Overview.

9 years ago

5 Questions for Guillaume Têtu, COO of Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co, About New Strategy For Growth

In 2009, a new brand made its debut to the SIHH, the Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co, a joint venture between the iconic lifestyle brand and the Richemont Group, the watchmaking giant. Yet, the path has not been simple and after several unclear collections and hesitations in positioning the brand, the brand was absent from the SIHH 2016. Though, this was not the end of the story. New teams, repositioning of the collections, appointment of industry veteran Guillaume Têtu, first as Product Development Director and as COO since October, finally a discreet comeback of the brand at the SIHH 2017. It was perfect timing for us to sit down with our long-time friend Guillaume and to understand his vision for the Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Co.

9 years ago

Panerai PAM00684 – The Small & Gold Luminor Submersible that Rocks

Panerai watches are great. They look super-cool, they have that unique aura of a robust and vintage dive watch mixed with that Italian je-ne-sais-quoi. They are icons of watchmaking. Still, there might be one issue with these watches. Most are sized for lumberjacks’ wrists. If the 45mm or 47mm diameters participate to the look (and they are actually easier to wear than what you can expect), a smaller size could be welcome. That’s what happened with the Panerai Luminor Due, the smaller, slimmer and dressier versions of the icon. But what if you want the sporty look? Well, for the SIHH 2017, the answer came in the name of the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso 42mm PAM00684, the small & gold Luminor Submersible that rocks.

9 years ago

The Ressence Type 1 Squared – A Subtle and Dressier Take on the “Beyond Hands” Concept (Review)

When just before the SIHH 2017, we, at the Monochrome redaction, received the news about a new Ressence Type 1, I have to admit that I was personally quite curious. From what I could see on the photos, this new “Squared” was clean, more horological, slimmer and with a shape that I love, an elegant cushion. Still, nothing worth a try on the wrist (you can’t imagine how many deceptions I had after strapping on the wrist a watch that I loved on photos). And, oh boys and girls, what a pleasant surprise I had with the Ressence Type 1 Squared…

9 years ago

HANDS-ON: Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato in steel – is it a steal?

GP-laureato-blue-7Let’s get this out of the way early on. Does the Girard-Perregaux Laureato share some visual similarities with other well-known luxury steel sports watches? Sure, but we can easily think of half a dozen watches that fit that particular bill. AP and Patek don’t have a monopoly on ’70s design. And make no mistake, the Laureato is very much a ’70s design. In fact, as far as watch designs go, it’s got a great backstory. The first Laureato, released in 1975, was a quartz, arriving as it did six years after the invention of the quartz wristwatches. Not only that, it was (according to GP) the first quartz movement made entirely in-house, and it also determined the frequency standard 32,768 Hz that’s still used today. Quite a feat given the novel and complex technologies involved. The watch – designed by an Italian architect, its octagonal bezel inspired by the footprint of Florence’s famous dome – was a hit, and by the latter part of the decade it had become GP’s best-seller. Even then, the key elements of bezel, hobnail dial pattern and integrated bracelet were key design features. And it’s not like the Laureato has suddenly reappeared after a long absence. The collection was given an upgrade…

The post HANDS-ON: Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato in steel – is it a steal? appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago