You lucky readers get a treat this month. A chance to win a very special watch from a very special collector and aBlogtoRead.com sponsor. Out of Max Bussers (the MB in MBF) personal collection is this circa 1974 Omega Speedmaster Mark 4.5 watch. In steel and about 42mm wide, this beauty is in quite good condition with a movement that was just serviced by MBFs watch makers!Inside the watch is an Omega movement that is a base automatic Lemania 5100. The 5100 is quite famous and has some interestin [...]

At SIHH 2016, Montblanc introduced its new 1858 collection of watches which not only have a new logo (separate from other Montblanc products) but also contain two limited models known as the Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition pieces that come in either steel or red gold, each in a set of 100 pieces. I found this collection interesting and am happy to show you the good looks of the blue-dialed steel model. The collection isnt without its quirks, but it shows just how fragmented [...]

The new Les Must collection from Cartier is a redo on an older Les Must collection from back then. I think it was from the early 80s. Not that the collection looks the same, but the name has been re-used. That is fine. I believe the collection is a little bit more affordable than most new Cartier products, as a way of helping to hedge a large consumer neglect of luxury purchases the recession really slammed the industry.To get people excited about new products (or at least aware of then), watch [...]

Sponsored PostOnline retailer Moda Operandi is known for their highly exclusive trunkshows featuring commissioned one-of-a-kind designer items including watches.? Their latest exclusive collaboration showcases the timeless and iconic omega watch; the first, from George Bamford, who brings you one-of-a-kind luxury versions of omega sport watches?and the second, from CMT?Fine Watch and Jewelry Advisors,?the brainchild of Carl Cohen, who brings you a heritage assortment of omegaes. With both of the [...]

After a number of years in the market, Mr. Tadashi Shibuya has recently been promoted to run Casio watches in the U.S., the most important market for Casio outside Japan. Since the 1980s, the American market has been wild for Casios flagship G-Shock product family. Casio has been adept at continually improving its products while also getting long lives from its hit timepiece designs. Casio remains one of the few traditional watchmakers that actually produces state-of-the-art timepiece technology [...]

Nearly five years ago, I originally went hands-on with the reference GOA40042 Piaget Emperador Cushion Tourbillon Skeleton watch here. Now, in 2020, I revisit the same model Piaget tourbillon to see how it has held up - especially with regard to style, technicality, and overall impressiveness. Piaget has been relatively quiet over the last few years especially when it comes to mens watches. Despite the brand having a plethora of emotionally compelling horological wonders, the company seems inte [...]

Years ago when I first got into timepieces I stumbled upon a previous generation Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch and fell in love it with. It remained an idle love for quite a while and eventually Blancpain decided to release a brand new version of its base Fifty Fathoms Automatique which has remained the cornerstone of its sporty dive watch collection ever since. I now have the pleasure of offering a hands-on review of a deliciously designed Swiss diver with a great design, great character, and m [...]

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is easily one of the most iconic and recognizable watches ever made. The rectangular-shaped, double-faced watch is celebrating its 85th birthday this year, and we were teased with?some novelties late last year, but they saved the big reveal for SIHH 2016. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon watch is a limited edition platinum watch that serves the legacy of the Reverso very well while also advancing the brands already impressive Gyrotourbillon.Jaeger- [...]

This past March we showed you a first look at a special limited edition watch from Hamilton called the Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition. This aviation gauge-inspired bullhead chronograph features the ability to be worn as a traditional wrist watch or to be detached from its lugs and strap so it can be mounted in a desktop display case that really completes the cockpit look and feel.We went hands on at Baselworld, and if youve got the wrist for it, the Hamilton Khaki Takeoff LE [...]

It wasnt until I needed to go ring shopping did I really learn to appreciate diamonds. As a guy, I just always assumed diamonds were for women. Sure some men have diamond rings and earrings but that hardly represents the norm, at least here in the United States. Diamonds are a sure-fire sign of wealth, but they also represent the most basic and arguably unsophisticated form of luxury features being really shiny. Though it does help their cause that diamonds are inherently rare. What I do howev [...]

The latest entrant in the long line of Bucherer Blue Series watches is the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph watch. With just 365 pieces available, this watch, the third IWC and Bucherer Portugieser collaboration, draws heavily on the brands nautical roots with its marine-inspired blue and white color scheme.This is the first time an official Bucherer Blue Portugieser has been made in anything other than a rose gold case or with a dial that boasts a majority color other than blue. It is r [...]

Nobody would blame you if the mention of?Hublot immediately elicits images of the Big Bang or, to a lesser degree, the Classic Fusion lines of watches. However, less well-known due to limited models and production numbers, theres also the Tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang collection. Stemming from a challenge to Jean-Claude Biver to create a Hublot watch inspired by Richard Mille was the Masterpiece line that in turn gave birth to the Spirit of Big Bang watches. One thing we wish to see more of [...]

If you are a dedicated watch follower, then by now you know that 2012 is the year of the Pilot watch for IWC. Last week I shared my thoughts on the new for 2012 IWC Pilot Chronograph Top Gun Miramar watch here. Now I get to share with you the entire collection of new Pilot watches from the brand. Youll notice that there are more new Top Gun watches including a non-chronograph automatic with a seven day power reserve, some updated classics, and a new very much modern military look to the pieces.N [...]

Pretty much any timepiece from Parmigiani Fleurier that has the term Toric in the title is going to be spectacular. This watch is the Toric Quaestor Labyrinthe (that I will refer to as merely Labyrinthe), a limited edition of five pieces set for 2013. These pieces rank toward the top of the Parmigiani wrist watch ladder. They are very limited in their production, and a symbol of the artful in-house made movements as well as what can be realized in their cases and dials by offering traditional, b [...]

For a solidly made Swiss watch at a price that wont make most peoples heads spin around, Hamilton is one of the few good options. In fact, between Hamilton, Tissot, Certina, and Longines, the Swatch Group has the sub $4,000 Swiss made mechanical watch market almost cornered. This Hamilton Cushion in the Jazzmaster collection is a solid mechanical watch buy for under $1,000.Inspired by vintage designs but certainly modern the Jazzmaster Cushion is a great mix of both worlds. The name comes from [...]

Look more closely, the two watches in this article are different. Though seriously while they are cool looking -youd think that Hublot might have wanted to make them look just a tad bit more different. The major difference of course is the case. One is in a Big Bang case, and the other is in a King Power case though youll agree that at a cursory glance they look almost too much alike. One of the reasons for the similarities is the fact that they are both Aero watches. These are usually skeleto [...]

It was 2005 that Hublot originally released the Big Bang. This was at the height of the global economic boom (only to be followed by a huge downfall about three years later), and Hublot was about to become a powerhouse again. The Big Bang quite literally jump-started the once ailing brand. Just a few years before Hublot was purchased by Jean-Claude Biver who saw the brand as an investment and challenge. He had just come from Blancpain and Omega, the former of which was purchased by Biver himself [...]

2010 sees an interesting release from Blancpain. Given the plethora of vintage or re-release models, I wasnt at all surprised to see that Blancpain too had dug something out from their past to share with everyone. This is a model in the Fifty Fathoms collection called the Tribute to Fifty Fathoms Watch. It is modeled after one of the original Fifty Fathoms watches from the 1950s. If you want to know more about the history, the go here.I dont think that Blancpain has officially released anything [...]

Ive been a fan of Porsche Design watches probably ever since I was a fan of watches to begin with. In addition to the brands historic dedication to the tool watch, Ive always been very sympathetic to what Porsche Design attempts to do when combining form and function into a singular attractive product. Not all Porsche Design watches of the past have been to my liking, but I am generally quite keen on their products, as I find the firm unique given that they are undeniably about fashion, but neve [...]

What is it about the appeal of a classic monopusher chronograph? We are looking at possibly one of the most fitting answers to that question:?with the reference 5151 IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher Chronograph, IWC has checked all the boxes with a beautiful dressy chronograph, backed by an impressive movement in a watch fitting of the Portofino name.In the metal, this 45mm-wide IWC Portofino is large, but far from brash or blingy. Available in either 18k white or red gold, the white gold mod [...]