Ive never been seasick before. But right now, Im gripping the sides of a red and white buoy thats heaving to and fro, at the mercy of a fresh two-meter swell rising out of the Pacific, and I desperately need to puke. All around me, raindrops scatter the surface of Potrero Bay as it rises and falls, but I dont feel them under the thick 3.5mm hood of my wetsuit. Are you OK? my instructor Gauthier Ghilain asks, his concerned eyes piercing my fogged, low-volume mask. My stomach is in knots, preventi [...]
The A. Lange Sohne Langematik Perpetual?was created for people who expect technical progress to make life more convenient-this is the first thing that the German high-end watch manufacturer?has to say about their latest model. Sure, if?there ever was a typical Lange consumer in our minds, that is a person with pragmatic thinking and an appreciation for more refined things in life.But even?he or she knows that expecting technical progress from a device that has been?obsolete for the better part [...]
The first new Oris watch for 2019 is this handsome and functional Oris ProDiver Dive Control Limited Edition timepiece. Once again working with their preferred Swiss commercial diver consultant, Oris has developed a well-specced diving instrument that also doubles as a handsome lifestyle watch with this years color theme being black and yellow (a personal favorite mix of colors for me). Having said that, the Oris ProDiver Dive Control is somewhat lacking in the innovation department. Existing Or [...]
The sleek Parmigiani Tonda Hemispheres and a superb 1931 Bugatti Type 50SIn our first article about my visit to Parmigiani Fleurier, we covered the history of the brand, its strong connection with restoration, and we also discussed how the company strives to keep the watchmaking and restoring trades alive.?In this second segment, we will discover what it takes to make a Parmigiani watch by taking a special tour of the Watchmaking hub that is behind the brand. Officially called MHF (Manufactures [...]
It would be wrong to deny Cartier the honor of being highly innovative over the last several years in regard to its most exclusive timepiece creations. To be actually innovative and come up with something new in a mechanical watch takes serious effort and luck. It has been uttered to me on more than one occasion that what can be done in a watch has been done, and furthermore, that all a watchmaker can do today is interpret and play with previously invented concepts. So when you see something new [...]
In the world of omega, small changes are big news. One such change is an update to the brands flagship dress model, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. Until now, platinum versions of the watch (and all omega models) featured smooth bezels. omega fluted bezels have traditionally only been manufactured in gold, but with its releases for Watches and Wonders 2022, omega has changed that. Now 36 and 40mm versions of the Day-Date are available with fluted bezels in platinum. A number of other striking new [...]
While the A. Lange Sohne nameplate dates all the way back to 1845, the current incarnation of the company can be traced back to 1990 when Walter Lange, great grandson of original founder F. A. Lange, revived the brand from its post-World War II hiatus. In the years since, the resurrected marque has built up a formidable reputation among enthusiasts for classical perfection, and to celebrate 30 years of continued production the German marque has announced a pair of new variants to its refined an [...]
Coinciding nicely with the 20th anniversary of their original Worldtimer watch, Swiss watch maker Oris has released an updated model for 2017 with the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer. First released to much acclaim in 1997, the 2017 version features a new time-setting mechanism. Something to clarify right away is that despite the word Worldtimer in its name, the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer is in fact a dual-timezone watch-and not one that shows many time zones around the world simultan [...]
While sport lovers felt it was interesting and perhaps a bit strange for tennis champion Rafael Nadal to wear a half million dollar plus watch while competing, it was all about an assertion of brand values for Richard Mille. Be it tennis, golf, automotive racing, flight, or diving, Richard Mille has proven that its timepieces not only have a place, but the durability and character required to be part of some of the worlds most demanding activities. The Rafael Nadal watch for example wasnt just a [...]
Will you ever be in a situation where you might need a rescue team to come find you? If so the Breitling Emergency II watch is a gadget you are going to want strapped to your wrist. This is an exclusive hands-on first look by , though we originally debuted the Breitling Emergency II watch here.In addition to being a luxury Swiss watch maker, Breitling retains its role as a supplier of professional-use timepieces to military personnel and demanding active people all over the world. For 2013, Brei [...]
The Omega Speedmaster 57 collection has become a rather hot subset of the popular Speedmaster timepiece family since it was originally introduced in 2013. Sporting Omegas modern in-house made caliber 9300 Co-Axial Chronograph movement in a 41.5mm wide case that is slightly smaller than the largest available Speedmaster at 44.25mm wide, the Omega Speedmaster 57 also uses more historic hands as compared to the more modern needle-style of most contemporary Omega Speedmaster watches.At Baselworld 20 [...]
While Omegas sports watch designs typically dominate the conversation surrounding the brand (at least in most Western markets), its extensive dress-oriented side has historically been a breeding ground for classic models. The elegantly minimal De Ville Tresor line carries on this tradition for 2021, blending clean and elemental dress sensibilities with the brands modern movement-making prowess. The new Omega De Ville Tresor Power Reserve is a fine example of this dual expertise, blending both Ba [...]
Those looking for a fantastic-looking, classy Omega Speedmaster in Sedna gold just got a gift for 2015 with the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Numbered Edition 39.7mm ref.?311.32.40.30.01.001. Disregard the totally odd-sounding name that doesnt really help you understand the design inspiration for the watch and focus on just how beautiful this new Panda-dialed Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch looks. Slyly released at Baselworld 2015, this new Omega Speedmaster is going to be a hit for those collectors a [...]
With Spectre, the latest entry into the James Bond catalog, just over the horizon, Omega has launched a rather cool limited edition by way of the Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition James Bond watch. While we covered the initial launch here, after spending a few moments with a production model at the Omega boutique in Vancouver, we figured it wouldnt hurt to share some hands on impressions.Limited to 7007 units, Ill be surprised if they dont move each and every one at a quick pace. While [...]
Despite constantly interacting with the precious metal in nearly every form and alloy imaginable, the watch industry very rarely showcases gold in its rarest and purest natural form. Only a slim percentage of natural gold veins around the world provide the right condition to develop gold crystal, with a delicate fractal geometric structure that stands far apart visually from the familiar cleanly polished look of processed 24K gold. Hublot has a long and varied history of experimenting with gold [...]
On the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the BVLGARI-BVLGARI watch, sat down to chat with Bulgari?CEO Jean-Christophe Babin to discuss whats next for the LVMH-owned Italian Jeweler. Opening a successful heritage exhibition at New Yorks Fifth Avenue Store, the watch industry veteran spoke about the collections history, the?brands Italian Genius inspiration, and even offered some insider insight into what we can expect the next big collection focus for Bulgari watches will be.: Very excited abo [...]
On June 14th, 2013 (very soon) at the IWC Boutique at the South Coast Plaza mall in Costa Mesa, CA, I will be hosting a Meet The Watchmaker Event with IWC where you can come view IWC watches, speak with me, and of course meet a watchmaker from IWCs manufacture in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.Sorry about the last minute notice but IWC and myself would be thrilled to have you there for drinks, horology, and good conversation. There will of course be food and libations. The event is in the IWC boutiqu [...]
One of the new Richard Mille watches to be debuted in January for 2012 is this RM 037 timepiece. While not the flagship new product, it is a nice watch that represents another nice and super pricey daily wear. The design evolution is quite interesting. Taken from previous Richard Mille watches are the hour markers and hands. The case is new, being a sort of hybrid between the thin-cased rectangular case models and those with Richard Milles signature barrel-shaped case design.Like most Richard Mi [...]
The latest from Breitling for Bentley takes a little swerve from the typical models coming out of the collection. The Breitling Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition releases on the heels of the 2018 Bentley Continental GT unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year and may help scratch the itch of those eagerly waiting for the car to hit the streets. Featuring a 30-second chronograph, a rubber strap, and Breitlings proprietary Breitlight case material, the Dark Sapphire will be remarkably [...]
Not one to let SIHHs spotlight simply pass them by, Richard Mille announced a limited edition model called the RM 58-01 Tourbillon World Timer Jean Todt Limited Edition. That rather long name suggests a lot about the watch but may leave some people asking who is Jean Todt? Jean Todt is the current President of the Federation Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA) and has been a notable figure in international professional motorsport for many years. Mr. Todt does a lot of traveling throughout the y [...]