Last year at Baselworld, Frederique Constant released its first ever in-house perpetual calendar wristwatch. It was not only gorgeous but also had a somewhat affordable price tag under $10,000. Well, this year Frederique Constant is back with a strong follow-up in the affordable complications category with its first ever in-house flyback chronograph, all for less than $4,000.
This is it, the big one for TAG Heuer this year, the commercial version of that highly awaited Autavia 2017 Reedition. Most probably, you already heard about this watch, and we, at Monochrome-Watches, covered it when we saw the prototype and its movement. But now, that’s the one you’ll find tomorrow (literally) in stores. Here is the the Final Version of the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017.
This is it, the big one for TAG Heuer this year, the commercial version of that highly awaited Autavia 2017 Reedition. Most probably, you already heard about this watch, and we, at Monochrome-Watches, covered it when we saw the prototype and its movement. But now, that’s the one you’ll find tomorrow (literally) in stores. Here is the the Final Version of the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 – plus an unexpected Panda “Jack Heuer” Special Edition.
While the big news from Seiko this year is the launch of Grand Seiko as a fully independent Seiko brand, Seiko dive watch enthusiasts are going to be at least as excited about the launch, in the technical line of Prospex watches, two new pieces – a limited edition that is a faithful reproduction of the famous Seiko ref. 6217 diver from 1965 – Seiko’s first dive watch – and a modern re-interpretation of the classic, with an updated design.
Seiko’s reputation in the world of professional dive watches is unimpeachable, and a trusty Seiko diver is a staple in any well-rounded collection. But, until now these watches have primarily been made under the Seiko Prospex label. Well, that all changes today with the introduction of the first ever professional-grade diver made under their top tier label, the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Diver. Released in two versions, the regular production black-dialled SBGH255 and the limited edition (of 500) blue-dialled SBGH257 is every inch a professional grade diver: with a large 46.9mm wide and 16.9mm high titanium case, powered by Grand Seiko’s excellent 9S85 movement, accurate to -3/+5 seconds a day. Moreover the ingenious design of the case (specifically the L-shaped crystal gasket) means that it’s suitable for gas saturation diving, without the need for a helium escape valve that would blemish the otherwise clean lines of the case. The watch is has magnetic resistance of 16,000 gauss, thanks largely to the solid iron dial. The unidirectional bezel, with elapsed time scale is heavily notched to ensure ease of operation, even at depth. What isn’t captured in this roll call of specifications is just how seriously manly this watch is.…
The post HANDS-ON: Grand Seiko has just released their first professional diver, the Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m (refs. SBGH255, SBGH257) and we find it intimidating appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Last year Grand Seiko released a new-look, sporty, modular, ceramic and titanium Spring Drive Chronograph. It was a bold change of pace for the usually buttoned-up brand, and I’ve got to say it both surprised and delighted me. Baselworld 2017 sees the return of this modular approach, in the form of the Black Ceramic Collection – a trifecta of three Spring Drive GMTs. There’s a black dial (SBGC221) and a white dial (SBGC223), but the version that caught our hearts and inspired out minds was the blue and gold SBGC219. Of course this is the limited edition (500 pieces). But there’s something about the rich colour scheme, complex dial layout and big 46.4mm case that just works. Add the enhanced accuracy (how does an accuracy of + 0.5 – 0.5 a day sound?) of the 9R96 into the mix, and this is a watch that has all the bells and whistles you could ask for. In addition to the titanium and ceramic case, Grand Seiko has added a high-intensity titanium bracelet with ceramic centre links into the equation. It’s a welcome addition that suits the look better than the alligator straps last years versions came with. There’s no denying that…
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Watch brands love nothing more than an anniversary. You might even be forgiven for thinking that marketing departments devote a substantial amount of energy to finding ever more obscure historical events, products or personages to commemorate with a new limited edition. 56 years since the release of our mildly popular chronograph? Reissue. The company founder’s brother got married on this day 132 years ago? Gala event. Jane from accounts is going on long service leave? Commemorative limited edition. Given this bloviating trend it’s refreshing to see no mention of ‘anniversary’ anywhere in Seiko’s press release for the reissue of the original Grand Seiko, originally released in 1960. In fact, it’s not one reissue, but two, or four, depending on how you count it. Before we get to the new, let’s quickly talk about the old. The original Grand Seiko, powered by the manual caliber 3180, was the epitome of a classic dress watch, and an important step in Seiko’s quest for accuracy. Round, demure of proportion and fitted with bold (and ever so slightly ’60s) baton indices paired with traditional dauphine hands. It’s a watch that set the tone of classical excellence that has (odd quirky design choices aside), set the…
The post HANDS-ON: Grand Seiko reissue their first ever watch, plus a completely new re-interpretation appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Seiko’s reputation as a leader in dive watches makes simply no debate. Wether we talk affordable pieces or professional tools, the Japanese brand masters watches for divers since now over 50 years. Actually, the whole story about the Seiko divers started in 1965, with a watch that now became an icon of watchmaking, the 62Mas (ref. 6217). And it is with a strong excitement that we are about to present you the piece that collectors were waiting for so many years: the Seiko 62Mas Reedition Ref. SLA017, a perfect reinterpretation of Seiko’s first ever dive watch, modernized to meet Prospex standards. And it doesn’t come alone, as a pair of contemporary re-interpretations will also be part of the package (ref. SPB051, SPB053) – but this will come in a second article.
The history of Porsche Design is intertwined with the legendary car brand that sprouted from the same creative mind, Ferdinand Adolph Porsche. Since the very beginning the link between Porsche Design watches and motorsports was there, and not just as a marketing link. No, Porsche Design’s first wrist watch, the Porsche Design Chronograph 1, was a black PVD coated watch and that was rather disturbing back in the early seventies. And so was the chronograph that the brand introduced in 1980, which was the world’s first chronograph in titanium – a material widely used in the watch industry now-a-days, but a few decades ago it wasn’t. Today we’re showing you Porsche Design’s latest watch that is again inspired by the world of motor sports, and in this case directly links to the brand new (mighty) Porsche 911 RSR. However it also strongly reminds us of that very first Titanium Chronograph from 1980. Let’s have a look at the new Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer.
Today was unveiled a new version of the Rolex Datejust 41 Date in steel and in white Rolesor (steel and white gold) – This follows the introduction of a slimmer, thinner Datejust last year, which was a welcome addition but also somewhat frustrating, as it was only made available in yellow or pink gold and steel, polarizing combinations to say the least. Thankfully this year the ‘Crown’ is unveiling an attractive white metal version.