Watch Dandy

HANDS-ON: Return of an icon – the TAG Heuer Autavia

The new Autavia is finally here. Twelve months after TAG Heuer announced the Autavia Cup, an innovative, open design process that allowed fans to have their say on the look of the final product is here, and it’s quite the looker. The Autavia, a portmanteau combination of automobile and aviation, was first released by Jack Heuer in 1962 and was the first chronograph wristwatch with a rotating bezel, a feature that added even more functionality to the already utilitarian watch. And, as is the case with all of Heuer’s chronographs, the identity of the Autavia is inseparable from the world of racing – it was a model worn by legendary racers such as Jo Siffert, Mario Andretti and Jochen Rindt. The combination of classic chiselled-jaw manliness and heady nostalgia for the golden age of racing means that the popularity (and value) of vintage Autavia’s has been skyrocketing in recent years. Which brings us to the 2017 reissues. Based on the 1966 ‘Rindt’ model (reference 2446, mark 3), the latest Autavia is a smart blend of vintage style and modern sensibility. Visually the watch is a very close fit to the original, with the most noticeable change being (predictably enough) the dimensions.…

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Introducing: The Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Chronograph

Zenith is back with a new El Primero – the Defy El Primero 21. This new addition to the collection is a contemporary twist on an old classic with a titanium case, a skeletonized dial, and a new movement. The Defy (or as it was originally called, the Defi) has been a part of the brand’s fabric since the old days when Georges Favre-Jacot started the manufacture in 1865. In 1969, the “i” was dropped and a “y” was added, thus creating the Defy collection. The collection remained in place until the late 1990s, with some rather loud designs. Today the Defy is back with the Defy El Primero 21, and it’s got a totally different flavor.

Baselworld 2017 – Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon (Hands-On)

For Baselworld 2017, Jaquet Droz integrates what certainly is the most poetical complication in their very poetical watch, unique in its display, the Grande Seconde. Based on the now iconic 8-shaped dials, with a second larger than the rest of the time, what the brand has done is a perfect example of integration. Indeed, this moon-phase feels like it has always been part of the concept, as natural evolution of the watch… Here is the new Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon. And you already know that it is a perfectly achieved watch by just reading this introduction.

Introducing: The Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronograph (Exclusive Live Pics, Specs, And Pricing)

Watch aficionados know that Porsche Design occupies a small but distinct, and very interesting niche in the history of wristwatch design – one that includes the Porsche Design Titan 1 Chronograph, which was a collaboration with IWC that was, in 1980, the very first titanium cased wristwatch with an integrated titanium bracelet. An interesting feature of the Titan 1 Chronograph were the chronograph pushers, which were integrated into the case flank so they didn’t protrude. The new Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronograph features a similar design, but this time, with only a single pusher which pivots on a hidden rocker.

VIDEO: Tudor’s key Baselworld 2017 releases – 4 ways with the Black Bay

One of the brands we’re always excited to see at Basel is Tudor. They’ve built a reputation for consistently delivering solid, and occasionally surprising watches, and 2017 is no different. We take a look at four new versions of their flagship Black Bay. There’s the simple but upscaled BB41, the blingy BB S&G, the rugged new BB Steel and the complex BB Chrono. If there’s one thing that struck us about the collection as a whole, it’s just how versatile (and enduringly popular) the Black Bay design is.

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The Best Of Baselworld 2017, Day One

Well, that’s a wrap. On day one at least. We’ve got the entire HODINKEE editorial team on the ground in Switzerland all of this week to bring you in-depth coverage of the new releases and developments on display at Baselworld. There’s a lot to sort through, with a nearly infinite number of watches to choose from. Here’s a recap of the best things we saw during the first official day of Baselworld 2017.

VIDEO: Unboxing the Omega box set most watch lovers would die for

Omega’s box set celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Railmaster, Seamaster and Speedmaster has been one of the talking points of Baselworld 2017, and not just because of the watches. The box itself is a work of craftsmanship in itself. It isn’t just like an Omega box from the 50s, it has been made to be exactly the same, with corduroy and gold foil lettering and all. We have the pricing, the live images and the (included) travel pouch all in this two-minute video.

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Live Stream: Ben, Stephen, And Louis Pick Their Favorite Watches From Baselworld 2017 (So Far)

Well, the official first day of Baselworld 2017 is officially over. And it was a good one. We’ve now seen the likes of Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Grand Seiko, Hermes, and more. There have been quite a few standout pieces, ranging from simple time-only watches to more inventive complications. Tonight, we sat down Ben, Louis, and Stephen to share their initial impressions of this year’s first batch of novelties.

First Take: Ben And Louis Discuss The New Omega Releases At Baselworld 2017 (VIDEO)

Today was the first official day of Baselworld 2017, and as we’ve done for so many years now, we began the day at 9:00 AM with Omega. Omega is surely having one of the strongest fairs so far, showing not only some amazing limited editions that have the interwebs chattering, but also some really nice commercial pieces such as the racing dial master chronometer Speedmasters. Today, Ben and Louis sat down to discuss their favorite pieces from the 2017 Omega collection and provide all the information you’ve been waiting for in regards to the “Trilogy” set.

Introducing: The Tudor Heritage Black Bay 41 (Live Pics & Pricing)

It’s the Heritage Black Bay 36 as you know and love it, with its sleek black and white dial, vintage snowflake hands, and fixed bezel in polished steel. Only it’s bigger. Five millimeters bigger, to be precise. Meet the new Black Bay 41.