Category: Sports watch

Review – Weiss 42mm Limited American Issue Field Watch – Including an American-Made Movement

Most watches that really spark my interest have either Swiss or German roots, but on rare occasions, a piece will surface from an unlikely place. I recently reviewed the Classic Enamel PS-801-CE from American watchmaker, RGM (based in Pennsylvania) and I’m always impressed with the company’s in-house calibres and old-school craftsmanship. America was once a hotbed for watchmaking with brands like Hamilton, Waltham, Elgin, Ingersoll and Westclox, but acquisitions, bankruptcies and European competition have all but shut down American production. While RGM represents a resurgence of American watchmaking with several in-house calibres, a much younger company in Los Angeles has been producing an in-house movement since 2016. Weiss Watch Company has only existed for a few years and initially relied on Swiss movements for American-made cases, but their in-house Calibre 1003 has made them a bonified American watch brand. Let’s take a closer look at the Weiss 42mm Limited American Issue Field Watch, designed and manufactured in the United States.

6 years ago

Event – Driving the new Porsche 992 and wearing the Porsche Design 911 Chronograph Timeless Machine

Porsche and Porsche-Design together invited me for their Winter Event in Zell am See, Austria. Although it was immediately after the SIHH, from 18-20 January, I couldn’t resist when I saw the program! Zell am See is the historical birth ground of Porsche and their design studio is still located in this beautiful Austrian village in the middle of the Alps. Zell am See gave stage to the revived Ice Race and the new Porsche Design 911 Timeless Machine, which we covered recently, was there for me to review. But also another mechanical machine that is also dubbed ‘Timeless Machine’ awaited me and here’s my report on the Porsche Winter Event, the new Porsche Design 911 Timeless Machine Limited Edition and driving in the brand new Porsche 992.

6 years ago

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Freak X Silicium Marquetry

In 2001, Ulysse Nardin introduced a watch – the Freak – that was a complete shock for the industry, not only in terms of design and display but mainly because it was the first timepiece commercialised with silicium parts – a controversial material back then, which has now found its place in dozens of watches. Today, as a sort of tribute to that pioneering use of silicium in a watch, Ulysse Nardin equips its recent Freak X (see more here) with a dial that is actually made of this material, displayed as marquetry.

6 years ago

Interview – In Conversation with Mike Horn, Explorer & Panerai Ambassador, during SIHH 2019

In life, on occasion one is privileged enough to have an interaction which inspires so deeply, it forces you to question your personal output to its deepest level. I was fortunate enough to have one of these, last week in Geneva, with Mike Horn. For those unfamiliar with the man, Mike is an enigma, originally from South Africa, he now lives in Switzerland. He is a record-setting explorer, sailor and environmentalist.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm ref. 15500ST

While the attention was mainly focused on the new CODE 11.59 collection at the SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet had multiple other new watches to show in its Royal Oak range – including a superb Salmon dial Jumbo Royal Oak and one extremely important watch, a new Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm. Meet the reference 15500ST, replacing the 15400 and introducing several massive updates, including a newly positioned date and, mainly, a brand new movement.

6 years ago

Introducing – Oris Aquis Date Relief

With the new Aquis Date Relief, Oris continues a thing that has become sort of a tradition, a special edition watch attached to a good cause. Certainly, there is a lot to love in this new edition – it is, after all, an Aquis with a cool new colour scheme – but the most important […]

6 years ago

In-Depth – The Zenith 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set (incl. the El Primero A386 Revival and more)

Back in the 1960s, as surprising as it seems now, there was only one way to use a chronograph: you had to wind it every morning. Indeed, all (literally all of them) were hand-wound movements… until 1969, when the world of watches changed drastically when three of the most prominent movements ever made were launched almost simultaneously. In January 1969 though, the very first to be introduced, as suggested by its name was El Primero, “The First” Automatic Chronograph. In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this emblematic movement, Zenith introduces an exclusive “50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set” of watches, including a faithful re-edition of the mythical A386 and the introduction of a new movement, the Calibre 3600.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Bvlgari Octo L’Originale Solotempo and Chronograph Dressed in Stylish Black-DLC and Gold

Bvlgari consolidates its winning legion of Octo L’Originale watches with the release of two new variations. With the same architectural design as their Finissimo brothers, who have secured victory after victory in the battle for ultra-thin, the Octo l’Originale watches come with slightly thicker cases, sportier attire and leaner prices. Sheathed in flattering black DLC-coated steel and highlighted with luxurious rose gold details, the sculptural shapes of the Octo case become even more pronounced on these new Octo l’Originale Solotempo and Chronograph watches.

6 years ago

Pre-Baselworld 2019 – Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass – Back to the Instruments

What started in 2005 as a source of inspiration developed into a true leitmotiv for the brand: a circle within a square, a watch inspired and built like an onboard instrument, straight from military planes to the wrist. More recently, Bell & Ross has been exploring new territories and new shapes but the BR01 and BR03 are still the backbones of the collection. As part of the Baselworld 2019 collection, the Parisian-based brand makes a comeback to the cool and much-praised instrument watches, with the new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass.

6 years ago