INTRODUCING: The three amigos – Zenith’s Defy Zero G dons Mexican affair
Around these horological parts, we really love a good four-letter acronym – SIHH, GPHG, COSC … I think you get the idea. In fact, have a conversation with any random watch enthusiast, and chances are that at least one of these terms will come up. However, one that we don’t hear a lot about on this side of the world is SIAR. It stands for Salón Internacional Alta Relojería — the Latin American luxury watch show, which has been held in Mexico City for the past 12 years. Taking place right now, from October 16 to 18, every year sees a convergence of some of the biggest names in the industry, as well as more and more watches dedicated to the Mexican and Latin American markets. And this year is no different, with Zenith releasing a set of exclusive special-editions of their mind-boggling Defy Zero G. In all, there are three different takes of the Zero G, and each one is available in a choice of titanium, yellow gold, or rose gold. They all feature the same 44mm case with a matching bracelet and clasp, and all still house the manually wound El Primero 8812 S calibre, with its 50-hour…
The post INTRODUCING: The three amigos – Zenith’s Defy Zero G dons Mexican affair appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
If there’s one thing Bell & Ross love more than aviation, it’s skulls. They have been regularly releasing models adorned with the macabre motif since 2009. However, the two themes aren’t mutually exclusive, with their skull-emblazoned pieces referencing the military airborne units of WWII, who used the Jolly Roger as a not-so-subtle symbol of their ferocity in battle as well as to remind them of their own mortality. This year, Bell & Ross continue the tradition, introducing the very clever and, quite frankly, badass BR 01 Laughing Skull. There’s no doubt about it: if skull watches are your thing then chances are so is wrist presence. And here it’s delivered in spades. With a large 46mm square case decorated by a “Clous de Paris” pattern and inspiring thoughts of cutlasses and daggers with its matt microblasted finish. However, it’s the dial that immediately draws your eye. Resembling 2016’s BR 01 Burning Skull, the literal sword-shaped hands are filled with black Super-LumiNova and lowered slightly to now rest over the centre of the skull’s nasal cavity. There are also now glimpses of something new inside, as the skeletonised stage is set for something truly special. You see, by manually winding the crown, the…
Expertly finished cases, captivating fumé dials, and incredibly fine watchmaking … these are a few of our favourite Moser things. And, once again, all three are combined in the “very rare” brand’s latest Pioneer offering – the Moser Pioneer Tourbillon. More suitable for everyday wear, with a more robust steel case and a more casual design, the Pioneer collection is Moser’s answer to an entry-level luxury sports watch. Which, with the introduction of a flying tourbillon to the line-up, is an answer that was just made a little more complicated, but in the absolute best possible way. Still on offer is the same 42.8mm stainless-steel case with a water-resistance of 120 metres, as well as a midnight-blue fumé dial – a Moser specialty – with luminescent elements dotted around the dial and filling the semi-skeletonised hands, and an in-house movement with a 3-day power reserve. However, that movement is now the manufacturer calibre HMC 804. Featuring an 18-carat red gold rotor that quickly winds the barrel fully via a bi-directional pawl winding system, and a pair of in-house designed and produced flat hairsprings that work in opposition to one another to improve accuracy and isochronism by correcting the point of…
In Las Vegas, a little over a week ago, rapper Drake was spotted wearing the Richard Mille Erotic Tourbillon RM 69 at his concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He took to Instagram to show off the seductive ‘oracle’ complication, which seems the perfect fit for the man known for a few suggestive lyrics of his own. But what good is the complication if you can’t see it in action? And this is one that’s all but guaranteed to see some action. So sit back, relax, and watch this video from a few years ago, where Andrew chats to Richard Mille’s chief horologist, Mr Theodore Diehl. Discovering just how the innovative brand brought Drake’s sexy watch to life.
One thing you can be sure of with smart/connected watches is the regular (if not annual) upgrade. It’s true for all the big players in the space, and the luxury sector is no different. And today Montblanc announced their latest — the Summit 2. The topline summary is: smaller, faster and more versatile. And there’s also a new, chronograph-esque form factor. The watch is down to a very wearable 42mm, a welcome downsizing from the 46mm case size of the first generation offering. It’s offered in a range of case materials — steel, titanium, black DLC, and a stealthy take on two-tone in steel and black DLC. Strap options are also (as you’d expect) numerous. The design of the case is broadly unchanged from the 1858-inspired original, with the obvious exception of those pushers, which offer you a few more non-touch ways to interact with your watch. The insides have been upgraded, too. The Summit 2 runs off the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset, which keeps things snappy. There’s also a mode that keeps the watch in time-only mode, extending the battery from a day to a week, which is a smart play. The operating system is Google’s Wear OS.…