Watch Dandy

Xavier Markl’s Top 10 of Baselworld 2017

The 100th anniversary edition of Baselworld has just came to an end. It has been another packed event, despite a strange overall impression and the current situation that prompted brands to be more cautious. As for each fair, the offerings are diverse but we have to come with our highlights. A tough choice but as we had to pick ten, here are the Baselworld 2017 watches that have caught my eyes – presented without specific order… But as always with Monochrome watches, it is guaranteed 100% quartz- and android-free!

Bring a Loupe: A Very Rare Breitling 765 AVI ‘Digital,’ A Tiffany-Signed Audemars Piguet Pocket Watch, A Nice Universal Genève Compax, And More

Vintage watches are back this Friday, with some pretty amazing pieces, including one of the rarest Breitling chronographs you can find. The first execution of the the 765 AVI comes with a unique aperture at three o’clock that shows the elapsed minutes, rather than displaying the date, as you’d ordinarily expect. Speaking of chronographs, we have also included a really nice Universal Genève Compax, and an Excelsior Park Monte Carlo, both listed on Ebay right now. You’ll also find a double-signed pocket watch and a military Omega 2777-1 in our selection. This is your Bring A Loupe for March 31, 2017.

Hands-On – The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback – A Slightly Vintage Chronograph with Nice Column-Wheel Movement

Part of the high-end collection, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback has been first introduced in 2016, as the refined and technically advanced chronograph of the brand (which also comprises sporty and bold chronos). Rounded lines, bi-compax display for a vintage feel, balanced dial with precious finishes, a nice automatic chronograph with flyback function and actuated by column-wheel, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback is pretty interesting. This year, at Baselworld 2017, the brand enlarges the collection with colored dials, with gold and steel offers.

HANDS-ON: The Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook, a cheeky ’60s reissue that swings both ways

Captain James Cook was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the Royal Navy and he is credited as being the first European to make contact with the eastern coastline of Australia. Considering the number of Europeans that make contact with the east coast these days – especially the bit between Sydney and Cairns – he definitely started a route that started the whole of Europe tanning. In more interesting news, to have a ‘Captain Cook’ in Australian (possibly Cockney) rhyming slang is to have a look at something. Yes, really. With those local references, how could we not be drawn to this reissue of a watch first released by Rado in 1962 of the same name (minus the HyperChrome) that swings both ways with contemporary/commercial and vintage designs? There are three new references, including a white women’s version with diamonds, a limited edition (of 1962) 37mm dark grey sunburst dial version (pictured here) on vintage leather strap and a larger 45mm titanium model. Despite water resistance of 100m in the first two versions and 200m for the titanium one, In our meeting Rado’s staff were quick to point out that it’s “not a dive watch”, functionally speaking. The Hyperchrome Captain Cook is quite petite by modern standards, a perception further enhanced by…

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HANDS-ON: The Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook, a cheeky ’60s reissue that swings both ways

The post HANDS-ON: The Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook, a cheeky ’60s reissue that swings both ways appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

Hands-On: The Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture

An in-house flyback chronograph for less than $4,000 is nothing to scoff at. One of these is now available from Frederique Constant, which introduced a typically classical interpretation just last week. We shared the basics as soon as the watch was launched, and now a few days later we’re back with live images – including one of the new movement – and some more information. But our overall opinion hasn’t changed – this really is a great watch for the money.

Business News: Latest FH Figures Show Continued Decline In Exports And A Not-So-Optimistic Outlook

According to the latest figures reported by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), February 2017 showed a continued decline in exports, year over year. The FH report states, “Watch industry exports declined further in the month of February. At 1.5 billion Francs, their value was 10% lower than in February 2016, still in line with the downturn reported for the whole of last year.” In addition, analysis of 2016 overall showed significant forces continuing to weigh on Swiss watch exports.

First Look – Ultra-Cool, Affordable and Very Omega – The New Railmaster Master Chronometer Collection

At Baselworld 2017, when arriving on the Omega Watches booth, there was the 1957 Trilogy (Speedmaster, Seamaster, Railmaster). Believe us, these watches are insanely desirable, perfectly executed, highly faithful, and… sold out. We’ll have a closer look at them in a few days. Still there was another watch full of interest, a watch that truly represent what Omega was, is and should be, the new Omega Railmaster Master Chronometer Collection: affordable, toolish, greatly powered, well proportioned and overall, just cool. A discreet star of the show, that we’re about to look closer.

Introducing: The Third Generation Bell & Ross Vintage Collection, Including Two Three-Handers And A Chronograph

Vintage-inspired watches are nothing new for Bell & Ross, which has been way ahead of that trend for years. In fact, this is the third generation of the Vintage collection, and it’s far and away the most sophisticated yet. There are two three-hand models, one sportier than the other, and an awesome twin-register chronograph to round things out, and the entire collection perfectly captures that old-school pilot’s watch aesthetic that never seems to be out of style. That these are budget-friendly tickers only adds to the appeal.