From roughly 1957 to 1965, a flaw in the manufacturing process of black dials used on the Omega Speedmaster Professional line of watches resulted in the occasional fading of the dial to a shade of brown, sometimes described as tropical brown or chocolate. Long sought after by collectors, anyone who has looked into purchasing a used Omega Speedmaster Professional will be familiar with their extraordinary prices in relation to non-faded pieces. What caused this defect, and what underlies the huge [...]

As the brand does each year, for 2021, omega introduced a series of new model line extensions for its popular watches. In the Sky-Dweller family, we timepiece lovers get six new models, each paired with one of omegas Jubilee-style multi-link bracelets. The new 2021 omega Sky-Dweller watches include mostly steel models (the fluted bezels are always in gold), as well as two-tone Rolesor versions. omega already offers the Sky-Dweller on Oyster-style bracelets, as well as Oysterflex straps. On the J [...]

The first IWC Ingenieur went on sale some time during the mid-fifties and was designed to be a watch for scientists and technicians. However, the Ingenieur has undergone significant changes in recent years, not just in its design, but also in its purpose. The Ingenieur today is more of sports watch that is targeted at petrolheads and racing enthusiasts, but this trio adopts the more classic case design of pre-Genta models. To further cement the Ingenieurs positioning as the petrolheads watch of [...]

Few brands have a richer or more diverse back catalog of watches than Longines, and over the past several years, the marque has explored some of its most interesting historical references through the Heritage collection. These have ranged from revived skin divers to war-era field watches and funky 70s racing chronographs, and for summer 2020, Longines has taken the Heritage line to the jazzy and stylish era of the late 40s. The new Longines Heritage Classic-Tuxedo series offers a dressy, black-a [...]

Here is a rare watch from favorite German luxury watch maker A. Lange Sohne. If you can take yourself back to the bubble building times of the year 2000, youll recall just how sexy the idea of a tourbillon watch was. This was before a mere tourbillon was not enough, and when the complication was gaining steam as the haute mechanical wonder to wear. At this time most consumers still had no idea what the odd, but cool looking complication was. Later most consumers finally learned that the complic [...]

Right around the turn of 2015 when it seemed liked the watch industry as a whole was scouring its archives for inspiration and loading up on faux gilt and beige Super-LumiNova paints, Oris was already priming the Divers Sixty-Five-an obscure reference from the height of the Sixties, resurrected for what would soon become the years runaway hit, some 50 years after it was largely forgotten. Here is the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Topper Edition Watch made for Topper JewelersOn paper, the Oris Diver Six [...]

One of the pre-SIHH releases that got my attention was the IWC Pilots Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition The Longest Flight, a limited edition piece that trims down 2016s Timezoner Chronograph. There is an appetite for wearable travel watches, and while this Timezoner doesnt really get there, its an interesting halfway point that pares down the existing Timezoner Chronograph and may demonstrate intentions for the future through a low-batch limited edition piece. Further, I hope this means that Chr [...]

Maurice Lacroix launched their first in-house calibre in 2008. Since then, the Saignelegier-based brand has upped its catalogue of in-house-made movements to 13. As well as focusing on in-house development, the company has been churning-out an impressive 90,000 watches a year. In light of such productivity, its nice to see theyve still got time for the odd curiosity. Recently, we?saw the release of the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity Harrods Exclusive Limited Edition watch in London, which w [...]

Since it was codified in the mid-60s, the Grammar of Design stylistic philosophy has been a recurring theme in Grand Seiko design. This angular, faceted, highly polished aesthetic has come to define the look of the Japanese brand in contrast to some of its Swiss rivals, and even today this uniquely Japanese visual language helps to shape the look of Grand Seikos newest offerings. The brands latest releases are no exception, with ceramic bezels, a new sharply faceted case, and detailed finishing [...]

We have said this before and will say it again: while?unceasingly impressive from a technical point of view, traditional minute repeater wristwatches?tend to have a soberingly underwhelming sound when operated and experienced personally. This is the?result of thick cases done in precious metals?like gold and platinum, as well as?the ancient layout?and functioning?of this centuries old mechanism.?With?their?2015 concept piece called the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak?Concept Acoustic Research Episode [...]

The big news from Cartier for 2010 is the Calibre collection of watches. While they did release a few impressive highly complex watches (not to mention a tourbillon version of the Calibre watch), those arent going to be volume models. The Calibre will be a much more affordable timepiece with a fresh and modern look along with the Cartier name. As a thick layer of icing on the cake, the Calibre is named as such for having a Cartier in-house made movement. Thats right. The jewelry brand can finall [...]

Today I am at SIHH here in Geneva. But most of you are not. Too bad As part of luxury watch brands further embracing the Internet, they are welcoming modern times by live blogging at the event. Finally, the Internet is their friends. How far we have come in just a few years. In addition to other brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, my favorite German luxury watch brand A. Lange Sohne (the grail watch for many) will live blogging from SIHH 2010. To be honest I am not 100% sure what this will entail, [...]

German brand A. Lange Sohne is just one of those brands that you can reliably expect to be impressed by; they have a reputation for crafting highly complicated watches to the highest level of quality and refinement. This year we see a number predictably lovely pieces, among which is the?A. Lange Sohne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds watch in a new configuration sporting a black dial and white gold case. We saw the white-dialed/platinum-cased version hands-on here when it came out in 2016. The ju [...]

Early spring brings with it warmer weather, longer days, and of course a distinctive pastel look across much of the world. These delicate floral tones are a long-running spring fashion staple, but are relatively uncommon in luxury watchmaking. Oris aims to change that as part of its 2021 novelties, bringing three springtime pastel colors to the wildly popular bronze Divers Sixty-Five watch line. With unique candy-colored dial designs, a vintage inflected midsize case, and warm bronze constructio [...]

Star Wars fever is back this year, as later in 2015, the popular science fiction movie franchise sees its seventh film with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We recently learned that Nixon from California will be producing some exclusive Star Wars watches, and it is no secret that many modern, avant-garde luxury watches were inspired by story universes such as Star Wars and Star Trek. To that end, we wanted to see what it might be like to have Star Wars watches produced by some of the more popular a [...]

One of the greatest strengths of Casios seminal G-Shock series is its immense variety. There is a G-Shock to serve very nearly every taste, and for those looking for a more premium experience than its traditional resin offerings, Casio produces a bevy of designs in stainless steel. While this Full Metal series is comparatively more refined, Casio still allows these models to have fun, as evidenced by its latest release. The new Casio G-Shock GMWB5000RD-4 splashes the traditional G-Shock form in [...]

Today in London, Montblanc has surprised us with the launch of its Montblanc Summit smartwatch: built on the Android Wear platform with a massive round touch screen and packed with?functionality, the Montblanc Summit is the brands and, in fact, Richemonts first try at producing a fully capable smartwatch. Interestingly, it is also?one of the most affordable watches on sale from any brand in the group. View this post on Instagram Let us take you on an adventure. Win a world-class?trip to celeb [...]

We like to feature the work of friend, WatchAnish, who takes a decidedly lifestyle and fashion approach to covering the world of watches. Here is some coverage from him of a London boutique opening for Parmigiani. It offers a hands-on look at the people and context of such events:The 14th of May was very special for Parmigiani, who officially celebrated the opening of their standalone boutique on Londons Mount Street. It also seemed to be the wettest day of the decade going by the rainfall, but [...]

This is the Bell Ross WW1-90-S, a recent model inspired by WW1-era pocketwatch conversions, where the lugs were loops of wire soldered onto the case. This one has the automatic ETA 2892 base with (I assume) either Soprod or Dubois-Dupraz modules for big date and power reserve. We first covered the Bell Ross WW1 watch collection here.The case is gorgeous, mirror polished and very well made indeed. By the numbers: 45.0mm across, 12.75mm thick at center of crystal, 52.8mm lug to lug. 93g on the [...]

At Baselworld 2016, Omega finally delivers on their promise to update the popular Seamaster Planet Ocean collection with Master Chronometer-rated, in-house-made movements. This is also the first major update to the Seamaster Planet Ocean collection since the debut of the 9300 movement-based Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph watches in 2011. In this article, I go hands-on with the updated Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Master Chronometer Chronograph, which is very much like the outgoing model, but [...]