Hands-On – The New Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390, Inspired by the Impressive Chiron

Parmigiani Fleurier had lifted the veil on this development over a year ago with the presentation of a spectacular concept watch, on the occasion of the launch of the Bugatti Chiron at the 2016 Geneva Motor show. After a few more months of development, the model has now made it to production in an updated version – and it looks even better! Here is the final version of the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390.

9 years ago

VIDEO: Play of light – Raymond Weil’s Freelancer Chronograph

There’s a reason chronographs are one of the most perennially popular watch complications – they add a lot to a watch. Functionality, interesting design elements, and a sense of derring-do, thanks to the chronograph’s close association with the exciting and glamorous worlds of motorsports, aviation and general athletic endeavour. Most importantly though, they add a real sense of tactility, allowing you to interact with – and measure – the passing of time in a meaningful way. And I’ve got to say, I could get used to wearing and using this Raymond Weil Freelancer. The dial and case is a quiet explosion of colour and texture, with a pleasant mix of finishes that not only amp up the dressier aspects of the watch but also ensure that the simple act of checking the time is a mesmerising lightshow. Raymond Weil’s Freelancer Chronograph Automatic Australian pricing Raymond Weil’s Freelancer Chronograph, on leather $3895

The post VIDEO: Play of light – Raymond Weil’s Freelancer Chronograph appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago

INSIGHT: 3 questions about Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, answered

When I had the opportunity, in Geneva this past summer, to get my hands on the 20th century’s most famous wristwatch and talk about it with the man who will be holding the hammer when the watch is auctioned by Phillips in New York in a few days, my immediate thought was I-love-my-job-I’m-so-lucky. Followed by a few key questions: Would the watch feel more special on the wrist than your typical Cosmo Daytona? Does Aurel Bacs, auctioneer supreme, regard this as anything more than another (likely) record-breaking piece? And, on that note, just why was the pre-sale estimate — “In excess of $1 million” — so low? The importance of provenance When I found out that this watch was entering the market I was intellectually excited but emotionally detached. It’s a watch, right? With a very good story. A watch that loads of collectors would willingly sell their furniture (if not their mother-in-laws) for. But it’s a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with an exotic dial, Ref 6239, circa 1969. It’s only a watch. That’s how it looked and felt for about the first three seconds after Alex Ghotbi from Phillips handed it to me. Then something took over – the knowledge…

The post INSIGHT: 3 questions about Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, answered appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago

Value Proposition – Hands-On with the Mido Multifort Escape

Founded in 1918, Mido is a company of the Swatch group based in Le Locle. For whatever reason, the brand is sometimes a bit underrated but deserves a closer look. Mido watches are well made and offer superb value. The Multifort was originally presented in 1934 and was among the first antimagnetic watches with a self-winding movement. A commercial success for the brand, it is one of its oldest collections. Today, we look at its descendant, the Mido Multifort Escape.

9 years ago

Attending The Inaugural Bulgari B. Dinner In Rome, And Re-Discovering the Superb Octo Collection

A few weeks ago, luxury Italian brand, Bulgari, in conjunction with our friends at Watchonista, hosted a fun event simply called “The B. Dinner” in Rome. The idea was to bring together a group of watch enthusiasts (writers, photographers, collectors, etc.) from around Europe and introduce them to Bulgari’s “Rome”. The Eternal City is, after all, the spiritual and physical home of the brand and as such a great source of inspiration for its designs. What followed was an immensely enjoyable experience that was far more insightful than I think anyone was expecting.

9 years ago

HANDS-ON: The Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph in red gold with brown dial

Last week, I was in the mountain town of Jackson, Wyoming with Montblanc. And while I’ll have to wait until SIHH 2018 to share most of the watches I’ve seen with you (totally worth it, by the way), I did spot one smooth new variation of this year’s sporty TimeWalker Chronograph that I can tell you about. This new version amps up the prestige with a solid red gold case with a satin treatment, paired with a deep, dark chocolate brown sunburst dial and matching ceramic bezel. On the dial it’s lovely, but it really sings thanks to the contrasting gold tone hands, hour markers and totaliser rings, along with a few bright red details, like that Minerva arrow-tipped Chronograph seconds hand. While the regular TimeWalker Chronograph, released earlier this year, is every inch the automotive-inspired sports watch, this new look is less utilitarian and far more luxurious. It’s also incredible to wear on the wrist, as any stray beam of light sets the gloss ceramic bezel alight, adds to the lustre of the dial, or simply suffuses the case with a heavy golden hue. Aside from being one of the most delicious-looking 43mm watches I’ve seen in a goodly while,…

The post HANDS-ON: The Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph in red gold with brown dial appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago