Using terms like entry-level or mid-range always feels a bit disingenuous when discussing Richard Mille, as even the brands simplest creations are technically advanced and stratospherically priced. When the time comes to replace one of Richard Milles mid-range staples, then, expectations are understandably high. After the recent discontinuation of the cornerstone RM 11 flyback chronograph series, fans of the marque have been left wondering what would replace it in the lineup. Now, Richard Mille [...]

I WANT TO CARESS YOU MADLY These are the exact words that greeted me some time ago when I first learned about the all-new Richard Mille?RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon. Now, if only there were an app?that allowed me to?review the exact thoughts that rampaged through my brain for the next five seconds But, following waves of delight, amusement, and (slight, but all the more?positive) shock, without even looking at the official documents, my mind?kept trying to figure out what?the other sides of those rol [...]

In the vintage pilot watch community, few models command the kind of desire and reverence inspired by the 1953 Breitling Ref. 765 AVI. With its cleanly usable design and extensive track record in both civil and military aviation, the Ref. 765 AVI helped to define a generation of pilots chronographs and further cemented Breitling as one of the premier brands in the aviation watch space. While classic models are still highly sought after, the AVI nameplate has long lain dormant amid Breitlings ext [...]

I previously wrote about the new for 2010 Bell Ross Vintage Heritage collection and Vintage Original watches here. Though at the time I wasnt sure of their exact names (not sure if Bell Ross did either). In that post I discussed the Bell Ross Vintage Heritage BR 123 and 126 watches, as well as the beige colored Vintage Original 123 and 126 watches. By the way, 123 stands for a watch with a three-hand with sub seconds automatic containing a Swiss ETA 2895, while 126 is for models with a 2894 a [...]

The race to create the worlds thinnest mechanical watch has been dominated by a handful of players in recent years, with few being as prominent as Piaget. The Piaget Altiplano series has been on the cutting edge of ultra-thin watch design for years, and for 2020, the brand has taken the next step forward to create the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept - the new world-record holder for thinnest hand-wound mechanical watch at only 2mm in overall depth. First debuting as a prototype in 2018, the mo [...]

Amid its varied and ultra-capable Promaster series, Citizen produces some of the most durable and purpose-built pilots watches on the current market. With their tendency towards bold case sizing, quartz complications, and visual hyper-complexity, these Citizen Promaster Air designs stand as formidable competitors to the higher echelons of the ubiquitous Casio G-Shock line. Until recently, however, the brands tough and capable contender series was missing one of its most potent tools. With the re [...]

Nearly every watch enthusiast has, at some point, daydreamed about creating a timepiece of their own design. Luckily for those who want to take their own watch design ideas to the next level, Montblanc announced on November 27 that they will host the Montblanc X Facer Design Contest. Held in conjunction with Facer, the worlds largest smartwatch face hosting and design platform, the contest will run from November 27 to December 27 and will allow enthusiasts to design their own unique faces for th [...]

There are certain brands that always steal the show this time of year and certain others that tend to fly under the radar. Longines has had a couple pf sleeper hits the last few Baselworlds, with its heritage divers and the ultra-accurate VHP. This year, Longines brings us a new addition to the Conquest family, a Conquest Chronograph designed in partnership with Longines brand ambassador and Olympic gold medalist skier, Mikaela Shiffrin.Longines hasnt gone overboard here, mostly keeping true to [...]

You might want to consult with your horologist about your current levels of Orthorhombic titanium aluminides. They might be dangerously low, or even, gasp not present. If you are Orthorhombic titanium aluminides deficient, not to worry. Richard Milles new RM022 Aerodyne Dual Time Zone watch has got JUST what you need. Up from the RM021 watch, the Areodynes gotten fancier. The tonneau shaped case in titanium holds many secrets and complexities. Richard Mille has the crown these days for watches t [...]

While headquartered today in the hallowed Vallee de Joux in Switzerland, the story of Breguet begins in the heart of Paris, on the Ile de la Cite in the middle of the Seine river. It was here in 1775 that Abraham-Louis Breguet first opened his workshop, developing many of the innovations and techniques we take for granted in modern watchmaking today. For its latest release, Breguet pays tribute to this original Quai de lHorloge workshop with a stunningly intricate reimagining of its Classique Do [...]

The reason why the Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph watch is worth knowing more about is because it is the first attempt by Blancpain to incorporate their new high-beat mechanical chronograph movement into a dress watch. This is an opportunity for movement lovers to enjoy Blancpains answer to Zeniths El Primero movement in a more formal, versus sports, watch.In focus here is the new for 2014 Blancpain in-house made and designed caliber F385, which debuted in the Blancpain Fifty [...]

Porsche Design completes what I believe is a trilogy of Heritage watches celebrating the brands history by recreating in a modern skin some of the brands most iconic pieces. For 2012 it is the P6540 that gets a new limited edition piece. Previous years saw the limited edition Porsche Design P6520 and P6530 watches. The P6540 Heritage Chronograph evokes a design that originally came out 40 years ago. This is almost surprising given how modern the watch looked even then. The piece it references wa [...]

For 2015,?Omega releases a new version of their Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Chronograph with another model in celebration of their sponsorship of the Americas Cup ETNZ team (Emirates Team New Zealand). A revised version of an existing model, this Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Chronograph ETNZ has a refreshed dial that is a bit more nautical, a titanium case, and a new rubber strap which has black on the outside and red on the inside. All the black/gray tones along with red are in honor o [...]

In 2016, the Patek Philippe Nautilus watch collection turns 40 years old, and a lot of the brands fans have been wondering what the important luxury Swiss watchmaker would come up with to mark the occasion. Today, we know the answer to that, and it is very large, gold, fitted with diamonds, and surprisingly not costing more than $100,000. For those who appreciate Patek Philippe for its mostly conservative sizes and understated design you might want to wait for another anniversary. This limited e [...]

Ive been wanting to review the Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer watch since it was debuted back in 2009. Part of the larger Senator watch collection, the Senator Chronometer has a beautiful symmetrical dial design and wonderful feature set that make for an attractive and technically superior timepiece. Pictures alone dont do the Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer justice because the real appeal here is what it is like to operate the movement.The Senator Chronometer is the Glashutte, Ge [...]

Today, omega is presenting its new-generation omega Explorer 36-in its full name the omega Oyster Perpetual Explorer 36. With that reduced diameter it returns to the size of the original model launched in 1953 following the first ascent to the summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29 May that year. The retro-sized exterior comes in two versions while inside it all lives the latest generation omega 3230 caliber.Currently only two versions are available of the omega E [...]

The partnership between Bentley and Breitling is nothing new to watch aficionados. Bentley first approached the watch brand to design the clock in its upcoming Continental GT, and since then the two companies have designed some pretty incredible stuff together. For example, the?Mulliner Tourbillon and the?Bentley Mulsanne Speed/Breitling For Bentley GMT Light Body B04 S reviewed by Ariel here. The?Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited-Edition Watch was designed to commemorate the 100th ann [...]

I am in Switzerland-in the Jura mountains to be exact-and it is snowing. As a California guy I dont see much snow. In fact, the only times I have really seen snow in my life has been in Europe. The place looks like something out of a Christmas card. There is white covering the ground and lining the trees while quaint little buildings spew puffs of smoke out of their chimneys. It is all very charming in a sort of storybook way. It is also the perfect setting for watch making, and the winter windo [...]

Herme?s is quite a rare breed in the luxury watch industry, being a family-owned independent company particularly known for fashion and leatherwork. However, they are serious about watches too, and the Arceau watch designed by artist Henri dOrigny, with its distinctive wind-blown font and asymmetrical lugs, has also been around for a while.?The new Herme?s Arceau Chrono Titane is the latest evolution of the Arceau design, featuring a much sportier theme than previous incarnations.Henri dOrigny j [...]

The Perrelet Turbine Chronograph was announced more than a month ahead of Baselworld and we got the chance to see this interesting and dynamic watch in person while in Switzerland for last months show. Based on a new exclusive chronograph movement, the Turbine Chrono offers an interesting 60 minute chronograph register using a transparent center-mounted rotating dial which allows a full view of the signature spinning dial. I love an innovative chronograph display, so whether its a center chrono [...]