When Tudor first introduced its Black Bay Chrono model in 2017, there was a hullabaloo about incorporating chronograph functions on board a 200m water-resistant vintage-inspired dive watch. A diver without a rotating bezel replaced by a fixed tachymeter scale for the chronograph functions? For many, the combination of functions was unwarranted but over time, the […]
“If you analyze the function of an object, its form often becomes obvious,” was the credo of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (founder of Porsche Design). “Form follows function” is something we often hear in the watch world but with Porsche Design, it is a matter of fact. Apparently simple yet perfectly functional, this has become […]
Bearing the code name ‘Commando’, in 1967 Tudor embarked upon an ambitious project for the US Navy to replace the standard-issue Oyster Prince Submariner 7928 reference. Although it never got beyond the prototype stage – as Ref. 7016 was eventually adopted to replace the 7928 – archival information held by the brand has allowed Tudor […]
Rolex has its habits… Baselworld always means an array of small novelties (different dials, different colors or different materials on existing watches) and one big novelty. And this year, the big one is a new, sportier, larger, bolder take on one not-so-hot watch, the Yacht-Master. Meet the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42, with increased size, black […]
More than three centuries after the invention of the sprung balance (by Hooke/Huygens), the oscillator is back in the limelight. Exploring new frontier and technological breakthroughs in mechanical watchmaking, the oscillator is considered the crowning glory for the most inventive and skillful watchmakers. Just a few days after the presentation of the Ulysse Nardin Freak […]
Last year, the star of the show at the Basel watch fair was the new Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi (blue-and-red) bezel and Jubilee bracelet, in steel, under the reference 126710BLRO. This was a sort of “dream come true” for watch aficionados – but not for retailers and potential buyers. Following the success of this watch, […]
In 2017, Patek Philippe (sort of) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its iconic yet entry-level sports watch, the Aquanaut, by presenting an oversized “Jumbo” model in white gold with a blue dial, the reference 5168G-001. With its case increased by 2mm and its precious metal case, it a bit of a controversial piece. Well, there’s […]
Although bronze cases have become almost mainstream these days, there is one brand they will always be most associated with: Panerai. It seems fitting then that this year, as the Florentine brand establishes the Submersible as its own stand-alone collection, we see the introduction of a new Panerai Submersible Bronzo, under the reference PAM00968. Building […]
The Kalpa collection was originally introduced by Parmigiani Fleurier in 2001. It is one of the most recognizable models of the brand with its distinctive tonneau-shaped case extended by rounded, stylized teardrop lugs. Last year, at SIHH 2018, the Kalpa got a facelift with a tastefully modernized case and the use of shaped movements across […]
To say there’s a sea of microbrands out there pushing dive watches would be an understatement. The Marnaut Dark Surge 300m Series, UNDONE Aqua and Farer Aqua Compressor Endeavour are recent examples. Comparable to drivers of four-wheel drive SUV’s, many dive watch owners rarely (if ever) use the timepieces for their intended purpose, preferring form […]