Watch Dandy

Predictions In The Travel Time Category Of The 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve

Welcome to the 2016 edition of Quill & Pad’s early Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève predictions in which the team picks favorites and explains why. The watches in competition for this category are: Manufacture Royale’s 1770 Haute Voltige, the De Bethune DB25 World Traveller, the Fabergé Visionnaire DTZ, Louis Vuitton’s Escale World Time, Bovet’s Virtuoso VI Triple Time Zone, and the unique Montblanc 4810 Orbis Terrarum Pocket Watch 110 Years Edition.

Magrette Moana Pacific Professional Black Watch

Further solidifying Magrette’s earned reputation is an update to its flagship Moana Pacific Professional watch – a 44mm diver that’s still as affordable as ever, but is now powered by a Swiss-made STP movement, and finished with a brushed steel and fully lumed DLC-coated bezel insert.

Introducing: The TAG Heuer Connected Watch Now In Solid Rose Gold (For $9,900)

In November 2015, TAG Heuer announced a dedicated smart watch dubbed “The Connected Watch.” The watch itself was nothing really ground-breaking, using existing Google and Intel technology, but in the case of what appeared to be a large TAG Heuer mechanical watch. I was on stage for the launch, and the difference between this TAG Heuer and say, oh, I dunno, the Apple Watch, is that the TAG Heuer featured the form factor of a traditional wristwatch. I think many were skeptical about the legs of such a product that was 46mm in diameter with a price of $1,500 using technology available elsewhere for far less – but it has seemingly worked. And what’s more, as of today, this watch is now available in solid rose gold. Price? $9,900.

Event Report: Stephen Silver State of Independence Silicon Valley

About two months ago, I wrote about the state of wrist affairs in Watches of the Silicon Valley. In the article, we confirmed the unsurprising SV stereotypes with the array of Apple watches and Fitbits. Watch boutiques here are scarce and hard to chance upon, especially for someone so used to the dense concentration…

TAG Heuer Introduces Connected Smartwatch in 18k Rose Gold

Introduced late last year, the TAG Heuer Connected is the most successful, and arguably the only, smartwatch from a traditional watchmaker. Originally available with a titanium and plastic case, the TAG Heuer Connected now goes upmarket with a 18k rose gold (and plastic) case. All else about the watch remains the same, including the Android […]

Juuk Locarno Apple Watch Bracelet Review

Yes, the Juuk Locarno bracelet is an Apple Watch accessory and, yes, there’s a Kickstarter project you can back (though it is in fact available for purchase already)… You see, I felt that this disclaimer was necessary because I am well read more…

INTRODUCING: The Ulysse Nardin Executive Tourbillon

ulysse-nardin-executive-tourbillon-1 With a penchant for the avant-garde, Ulysse Nardin is a tricky customer to pin down stylistically. They’re most famous for their marine chronometers, but they also produce simple, lean pieces that embody elegance. They also dabble in the upper echelons of haute-horology with their famous Freak as well as models with painstakingly elaborate hand-painted dials. The modern and ultra-lightweight Executive Skeleton Tourbillon (which has been pre-selected for this year’s GPHG awards in the Tourbillon category) shows off another side of Ulysse Nardin. With its bold 45mm titanium case topped with a ceramic bezel, this featherweight piece won’t weigh your wrist down, despite its size. Through the sapphire crystal, the hands and oversized Roman numerals appear to float on the dial barely obscuring the view of the movement In order to achieve minimum weight the movement, which is the the manual winding Calibre UN-171 Manufacture, has been skeletonised to further reduce any unnecessary heft, while still offering an ample power reserve of 170 hours. The black, rectangular bridge is a nice modern touch that frames the movement. At Baselworld this year, Ulysse Nardin made waves with their Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon. That piece employed some nifty tricks that involved using a series of…

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Hands-On: The Martenero Edgemere, A Marine Chronometer-Inspired Watch Designed In New York

It’s easy to forget in a sea of marketing campaigns and brand ambassadors that there are a lot of small companies out there making cool watches too. Martenero is one such company that has been creating small runs of enthusiast-designed watches for a few years now, right out of New York City. Its latest design, the Edgemere, is inspired by marine chronometers, but with a modern look and bright colors. Here’s a hands-on look at this high-value piece.

Hands-On: An Original Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project & Some 44mm Sector-Dial Madness (And Why These Might Be The Coolest Watches In The Phillips November Sale)

The upcoming auction season has some pretty spectacular things on offer – none more so than the stainless steel 1518 at Phillips. The auction house has a bunch of other super high-end, super fancy stuff on offer too, like a Tiffany-signed Rolex 6263, a Cartier-signed Patek 1463, and some other steel Pateks and mega Rolex. It’s a good catalog. However, when I look at the Phillips sale, the two pieces that stand out to me might not strike your fancy immediately – but trust me, they’re absolutely spectacular watches, both bordering on the almost unique category, with a ton of aesthetic charm. Oh, and they both happen to be Omegas.

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends October 28, 2016

With dwindling sales and the threat of smartwatches, these are trying times for watch brands. In this roundup, let’s consider a more optimistic outlook on the impact of smartwatches and how they could actually boost and create interest in mechanical watches and even high-end horology.