Baselworld 2018 – Bvlgari Introduces the Octo Finissimo Automatic Sandblasted Trilogy (now in Steel or Gold, in addition to Titanium)

Exactly a year ago, Bvlgari stunned the watchmaking world by launching what was then the thinnest automatic watch on the market, the Octo Finissimo Automatic. The best things about this watch was that it had nothing to do with a shy, demure timepiece. Instead, Bvlgari came out with what we think is a true example of a luxury sports watch (see it face to face with the mother of them all, the RO). For Baselworld 2018, what was a single watch becomes a trilogy and a fully-fledged collection, with the introduction of the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Sandblasted in steel and 18k rose gold.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Seiko Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 – The Recreation of the 1968 Ref. 6159-7001

Seiko’s reputation in terms of professionally oriented dive watches is not to demonstrated anymore – and that since 1965, with the creation of the Seiko Diving Department, and later the Prospex nomenclature. For our biggest pleasure, the brand has been opening its old grimoires and digs into its rich history to offer us some of the best vintage re-editions we’ve seen recently. Last year was about the Seiko’s first ever dive watch. This year, the brand looks at yet another icon, with the re-creation of the 1968 Automatic Diver 300m Reference 6159-7001. Meet the brand new Seiko Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025.

8 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Grand Seiko Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Calibre 9S with Three New High-Beat Limited Editions

While the inaugural timepiece made by Grand Seiko dates back to 1960 – a watch that was recreated last year, with a faithful re-edition – another extremely important date in the history of the brand is 1998. Indeed, twenty years ago, Grand Seiko introduced caliber 9S, an entirely new movement designed from scratch to deliver high precision and excellent durability. Today, the entire Grand Seiko mechanical collection is built around this movement. For its 20th anniversary, the brand launches three special movements, a new case and a unique dial. Meet the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Calibre 9S 20th Anniversary ref. SBGH265 – SBGH266 – SBGH267.

8 years ago

HANDS-ON: The Grand Seiko SBGR311 Limited Edition – celebrating 20 years of the 9S in style

At the heart of many Grand Seiko watches beats the mighty 9S calibre, which is celebrating its 20th birthday, and the location of the party is Baselworld 2018. There’s a swathe of new offerings on the table, including this deliciously dialled number, the Grand Seiko SBGR311. Vital statistics Excuse me if I rush through the key stats, because, really, I want to talk about that dial. The SBGR311 is 42mm across, steel, with that characteristic mix of exceptional polish and brushed finishes that define Grand Seiko’s zaratsu-polished cases. From behind there’s the 9S68 (obvs), visible behind a sapphire caseback with a Grand Seiko lion and gilt 20th anniversary text. Now, that dial. Have you ever seen a brown dial quite so wondrous? It’s as mercurial as the brand’s best, glistening like hot chocolate when the light hits it just right. But beyond the colour and finish, there’s that pattern, a radial explosion of tessellating shapes, each marked with either the gothic G, S or historic Daini Seikosha mark. On top of that the applied, polished hours seem to float, as do those very pointy-looking dauphine hands. The choice of a gold seconds hand and ‘GS’ marker provides just the right…

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8 years ago