Hands-on – Speake-Marin One&Two Openworked Dual Time – Classical Meets Technical

Following in the footsteps of the successful time-only One&Two Openworked model launched in 2017, Speake-Marin unveiled its latest One&Two Openworked model with a dual time function and a retrograde date display at the SIHH 2019. The new Dual Time model builds on the brand’s base SMA01 calibre with two new complications and steers the design codes into a more contemporary direction with an intrepid combination of classic details and defiantly technical elements.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton Two-Tone, Titanium and Rose Gold

Following up on their well-priced/well-executed full-titanium Defy Classic Skeleton from 2018, Zenith has added an embellished version with rose gold, which is also the first two-tone 41mm Defy model. The titanium bezel has been replaced with 18-carat rose gold along with links in the integrated titanium bracelet. The same sporty look with an edge from the Defy Classic remains intact with the two-tone version, but the upscale aesthetic is targeting a more “coat and tie” clientele. The openworked (skeleton) dial is the only option this time around, removing the second blue sunburst dial from last year’s Defy Classic. The core product may be the same, but the cosmetic changes make a big difference to the overall package. Let’s take a closer look at the Two-Tone Zenith Defy Classic.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic now in Carbon

2018 was the year of the ultra-thin watch. No debate! Piaget and Bvlgari, which started to race a couple of years ago on that topic, literally smashed one record after another in less than 2 months. The final word, however, went to the Roman brand, which introduced the ultra-impressive Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic at Baselworld 2018. After winning the thinness record, Bvlgari has decided to play on the weight of the watch. While not breaking lightness records, the new Carbon version of this watch makes it light as a feather.

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Ulysse Nardin Skeleton X

First introduced in 2016, the Executive Skeleton Tourbillon was an audacious combination of classic watchmaking codes with a hyper-modern, sporty and radically skeletonised dial. It also marked the brand’s first attempt to position its products at more competitive prices and play to a younger, slightly hipper crowd. Priced at CHF 38,000 back in 2016, the […]

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Speake-Marin One&Two Openworked Dual Time

Launched just two years ago, the Speake-Marin One&Two is, without a doubt, one of the most striking developments of the brand. The collection is quintessentially Speake-Marin: an off-beat take on classic Swiss watchmaking infused with a touch of British elegance and eccentricity. Not just a pretty face, the One&Two owes a lot to its movement, a nice micro-rotor calibre with a unique small seconds display at 1:30. It now welcomes new complications, with the addition of dual time indication and a retrograde date.

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Bovet Tourbillon Amadeo Fleurier Virtuoso IX

Bovet, very much a niche connoisseur brand, is finally attracting the attention it merits. Last year, its Récital 22 Grand Récital, a masterpiece of technical and astronomical complications, won the coveted Aiguille d’Or at the GPHG 2018. In January 2019, Bovet will be making its debut at the SIHH and will be wowing the crowds with its Virtuoso IX, a double time zone, 24-city, 10-day power reserve, big date, two reversible faces and flying tourbillon extravaganza equipped with a brand new in-house calibre and housed in the brand’s iconic convertible Amadeo® case!

6 years ago

Introducing – TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph (with Patented Hairspring in Carbon Composite)

After a few years of technically traditional watches, TAG Heuer is back at work with innovation. Known to have been ultra-active in the field of high-frequency, the focus is however different these days, but TAG means “Techniques d’Avant-Garde” after all. Combining watchmaking with scientific discovery, TAG Heuer introduces a state-of-the-art carbon hairspring in the latest interpretation of the Carrera. Meet the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph – and again, innovation doesn’t necessarily mean insane prices.

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance Sapphire – Total Transparency on the Dual Movement

Armin Strom is on a rush. After a first watch equipped with two oscillators connected by a resonance clutch spring – the revolutionary Mirrored Force Resonance – the brand unveiled an impressive development based on this concept, a dual-time watch with dual-movement – the Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance. And knowing the watch, it would a shame to hide such mechanics behind an obtrusive metallic case. This is why, for SIHH 2019, Armin Strom introduces a sapphire version of Dual Time Resonance, which fully exposes its movements to the world.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Breguet Tradition Chronographe Indépendant ref. 7077

While the chronograph is certainly one of the most popular complications, most people do not realize that it is among the most complex mechanisms to develop and assemble. While most chronographs are based on a timekeeping “engine”, on which a second gear train engages to drive the chronograph, some folks found this idea inefficient (and […]

6 years ago

Introducing – Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic Black And Blue

Presented at Baselworld 2018 – when Jaquet Droz and the rest of the Swatch Group was still exhibiting at the Basel-based fair – the Grande Seconde Skelet-One was a surprisingly modern take on the classic 8-figure on the dial of the watch, the signature design of the brand. Launched in three inaugural versions, two in gold […]

6 years ago