Visiting The Red Bull Racing Factory and the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 Red Bull Racing Special Edition (Photos, Specs and Price)

For as long as I can remember, watch brands, and a few in particular, have been involved in Formula 1 motor sport. This is not surprising of course, in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, timing is everything. In recent times, one relationship has proven particularly fruitful: Red Bull Racing and Tag Heuer. Last month we were invited to visit the Red Bull Racing factory in Milton Keynes, UK to see first-hand how a Formula 1 team operates and learn just how important its timing partner can really be.

8 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.

8 years ago

LIVE FROM MONACO – TAG Heuer unveils Carrera Heuer01 SENNA 2017 edition in tribute to the legendary Brazilian driver (live pics, specs and pricing)

TAG Heuer celebrates the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna first win at the Monaco Grand Prix releasing three special editions watches in tribute to the legendary Brazilian driver. In his brilliant, too-brief career, Ayrton Senna roared to three world championships, 41 victories and 65 pole positions and he is regarded as one of the best -if not the best ever- drivers in F1! The watches were unveiled this week-end in Monaco in presence of Bianca Senna, the champion’s niece.

8 years ago

Hands-On – De Grisogono New Retro Tourbillon Skeleton

De Grisogono might be an extremely respectable brand, it has the image of a field of action turning more around haute jewelry rather than complex watches. Of course, there are a few pieces, but nothing that, at first, could tickle our interest… But we were wrong, as the chic rectangular De Grisogono watch now houses an architectural Tourbillon skeleton movement – and it looks quite stunning.

8 years ago

Simple Grandeur – The Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor

For those who know, Romain Gauthier certainly is one of the best representatives of the “Vallée de Joux” expertise. This means an exceptional level of finishing. Forget about mainstream brands that claim Haute Horlogerie. Here, we have hand-finishing to the highest level. Unveiling the Romain Gauthier insight micro-rotor, focusing on the essentials with radical manufacturing ethos and masterly craftsmanship.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Arnold & Son DBG Skeleton Dual-Time – With (Almost) Two Movements in One Watch

Symmetry in the construction of the displays and movements have always been a huge part of Arnold & Son’s DNA. In their case, the design doesn’t drive the development of the movement, but the opposite. See for instance the Constant Force Tourbillon, the Nebula or the Time Pyramid and you’ll see how symmetry influenced the brand. Playing on this same concept, the brand pushed the idea even further, by having a watch with two entirely separate time displays, driven by an incredible twin-movement. And in order to enjoy this mechanical feast, a new version, the Arnold & Son DBG Skeleton, exposes all its entrails in a demonstrative but elegant way.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Arnold & Son DBG Skeleton Dual-Time – With (Almost) Two Movements in One Watch

Symmetry in the construction of the displays and movements have always been a huge part of Arnold & Son’s DNA. In their case, the design doesn’t drive the development of the movement, but the opposite. See for instance the Constant Force Tourbillon, the Nebula or the Time Pyramid and you’ll see how symmetry influenced the brand. Playing on this same concept, the brand pushed the idea even further, by having a watch with two entirely separate time displays, driven by an incredible twin-movement. And in order to enjoy this mechanical feast, a new version, the Arnold & Son DBG Skeleton, exposes all its entrails in a demonstrative but elegant way.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Schwarz Etienne La Chaux-de-fonds Tourbillon Petite Seconde Retrograde (Baselworld 2017)

Schwarz Etienne started with a vertical integration strategy a few years ago, going as far as producing hairsprings in-house, with their sister company E2O innovations (read our recent introduction article about the brand here). This involved deep products’ evolution and a strategy based on a modular approach to movement development; a family of mechanical movements was created and evolved into different versions. Today, we take a look at the interesting La Chaux-de-Fonds Tourbillon Petite Seconde Retrograde, which was presented during Baselworld 2017.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Zenith Defy El Primero 21 – From a 10th to a 100th of a Second (Video, Specs & Price)

Back in 1969, Zenith introduced a movement that will later become an icon, as being both one of the first automatic chronograph movements, and being the 20th century’s king of precision, as beating at 5Hz and being precise to the 10th of a second. Its name: the El Primero. At Baselworld, the Le Locle-based manufacture has given this fast-beating engine a 21st century appeal: 50Hz frequency, precision to the 100th of a second, modernized look, open-worked movement. Here is the Zenith Defy El Primero 21… and it’s fast, very fast.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Zenith Defy El Primero 21 – From a 10th to a 100th of a Second (Video, Specs & Price)

Back in 1969, Zenith introduced a movement that will later become an icon, as being both one of the first automatic chronograph movements, and being the 20th century’s king of precision, as beating at 5Hz and being precise to the 10th of a second. Its name: the El Primero. At Baselworld, the Le Locle-based manufacture has given this fast-beating engine a 21st century appeal: 50Hz frequency, precision to the 100th of a second, modernized look, open-worked movement. Here is the Zenith Defy El Primero 21… and it’s fast, very fast.

8 years ago