As we said in its news debut at the time: Among the Omega faithful, few Speedmaster models carry the cache of the legendary Ed White. The original model, predating the signature Omega twisted-lug design, became immortal on the wrist of the astronaut of the same name during Americas first spacewalk in 1965. A fan of all things Speedmaster (yes, including the Speedmaster Reduced), our featured artist on the Store, Tamas Feher chose this outstanding moment in the history of humankind (and watchmak [...]

2021 experienced the release of another record-breaking watch from BVLGARI. Following half a dozen years of introducing worlds thinnest mechanical watch movements, the latest master-of-thin piece is the BVLGARI Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar. It sets the record as the worlds thinnest automatic mechanical watch with a perpetual calendar complication. The in-house-made movement is just 2.75mm-thick, in an Octo Finissimo case that is just 5.8mm-thick.Perpetual calendar mechanisms are calendars t [...]

The following timepiece auction analysis post is by Chris Meisenzahl. He is a long-time watch enthusiast and daily Speedmaster Pro wearer. He blogs at The Pretense of Knowledge and can be followed on Twitter at speedmaster.June 25 at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, thats when and where youll want to be if youre interested in watches, particularly Pateks. For three days prior to the auction, Antiquorum will make the 550 lots available for inspection. (view the virtual catalog)Antiquorum t [...]

A few years ago Maurice Lacroix launched their Aikon Collection, and it quickly became one of their more popular models. The collection was in an interesting position where it felt quintessentially luxurious, superbly finished (one of the best Ive seen in its price-point), and not too expensive, with the downside to a lot of enthusiasts being that it was quartz. New for 2018, Maurice Lacroix launches the Aikon Automatic and Aikon Automatic Chronograph, models that have been long promised.Specifi [...]

It used to be that smartwatches were something that really only the gadget-oriented seemed to gravitate towards.?I think at first, that made sense, as they were more technically oriented, in terms of what they could do and the customization they offered. Lately, however, the functions seem to have become a bit more standardized, and we are starting to see more traditionally-styled watches that hide their tech under classic skins.?Two of the new Movado smartwatch collections follow that vein, whi [...]

2017 marks the 70th anniversary of a certain automaker that tends to generate passion among car enthusiasts like no other. Synonymous with the color red, this automaker also happens to have the most successful team in Formula One. Have you guessed it yet? The automaker is none other than Ferrari. As the official watchmaking partner of Ferrari, Hublot introduced the Hublot Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph watch to mark the occasion earlier this year, but this is a new one-off ver [...]

In the world of field watches, few brands can match the blend of ruggedness, legacy, quality, and value that Hamilton offers. Over the years, the brands Khaki Field line has expanded to include a wide range of sizes, materials, and executions, ranging from faithful renditions of midcentury designs to modernist reinterpretations of what a field watch can be. The Khaki Field Titanium Automatic line has hit a sweet spot for many enthusiasts in terms of style and amenities, combining a classic look [...]

The implementation of a moon phase complication should always be treated with kid gloves. It is an eye-catching and artful complication, but it has the potential to make a dial look busy, mismatched, or passe if integrated poorly. Too much surrounding the complication can leave it looking cramped; too little can leave it looking stranded. How the Longines Master Moonphase watch decorates the white, black, or blue space around the focal point of this relatively simple watch is a great example of [...]

Colored ceramics have been a cornerstone of IWCs popular TOP GUN pilots watch line since the first model was introduced to the world in 2007, and over the years the series has branched out from the original black colorway to include suitably military-inspired alternatives like the sandy beige TOP GUN Mojave. As part of its Watches and Wonders 2022 novelties, the Swiss brand introduces an additional two TOP GUN color palettes inspired by the world of the famed U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Ins [...]

Boy, that sure escalated quickly, didnt it? In going from the prospect of no new omega watches in 2020 at the summers outset to a quartet of new Submariners, and a dazzling rainbow of new Oyster Perpetuals all in the short span of this week, watch fans have been taken for quite a ride this summer. Amidst the aforementioned buzz, there was still one more thing though-maybe not quite as impactful in the Steve Jobs sense this time around, but this thing is still no less of a welcome addition to the [...]

At Baselworld 2016, Jacob Co. introduced a brand-new version of the crowd-pleasing Astronomia mega-watch called the Jacob Co. Astronomia Sky Celestial Panorama Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon. Not intended as a replacement, but rather as a supplement to the original Jacob Co. Astronomia (hands-on here), the Jacob Co. Astronomia Sky adds a few complications and actually has a smaller case size.Down from the 50mm-wide size of the standard Astronomia, the Jacob Co. Astronomia Sky is just [...]

Earlier this year at SIHH, Hublot unveiled one of its most vibrant womens collections to date: Hublot Big Bang Pop Art watches. Drawing inspiration from Andy Warhol, a pioneer in the Pop Art Movement, Hublot created a dizzying collection of ultra feminine automatic chronograph timepieces with? a daring disregard of conformity and an edgy feeling of fun. The watches are available in hot pink, purple, dazzling blue and apple green.? Not only do these colors evoke a feeling of pop art era nostalgia [...]

It was during Baselworld 2008 that Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas Hayek, Sr. unveiled the reference 1160 pocket watch-an impressive ode to what is probably the worlds most valuable and celebrated timepiece. The 1160 pocket watch was made as a replica of the original 160 pocket watch produced by Breguet in the 18th and 19th century, originally ordered for Marie Antoinette in 1783 (lots more background information in the above-linked articles). The Breguet 160 was to be the most complicated pocket [...]

The past decade has seen a dramatic uptick (pun intended) in impressive horological innovations.? From constant-force escapements to hydro-mechanical movements, mind-blowing complications are the name of the game.? And, like timepiece enthusiasts everywhere, I get giddy with excitement learning about each new breakthrough as they are revealed- generally in grand fashion by manufacturers.Yet, there are a few much smaller innovations that seem to have slipped under the radar, that in my opinion, [...]

After attending the 2015 edition of the Watches Wonders trade show in Hong Kong, I wrote that this Montblanc Meisterstuck Heritage Spirit Date Automatic reference?112144 or 113706 (from what I can tell, these reference numbers are for the same watch, but Montblanc might use one or the other depending on your region) watch best summed up the theme of the event in the above linked-to recap article. Relatively reasonably priced in 18k gold and with diamonds, this mens dress watch well epitomizes a [...]

There are certain things one simply doesnt do with valuable watches. Some of those things include underwater diving with a minute repeater and taking apart and modifying a limited edition early A. Lange Sohne Tourbillon. However, if you must do the latter, it might as well be done tastefully, and by a fellow German company which is precisely the situation with the one-of-a-kind Blue Merit watch by Grieb Benzinger.Typically the boys at Grieb Benzinger make their luxury project watches out of [...]

This is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer, a brand new RO Concept that I feel may very well be the most striking Royal Oak iteration?since the Offshore Survivor. As its name suggests, this brand new, highly complicated movement was created to be able to measure and record a series of consecutive lap times. Such a watch?was commissioned?back in 2010 by Audemars Piguet ambassador and 7-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, and it took the?manufacture almost five years to c [...]

Among the Omega faithful, few Speedmaster models carry the cache of the legendary Ed White. The original model, predating the signature Omega twisted-lug design, became immortal on the wrist of the astronaut of the same name during Americas first spacewalk in 1965. As its first release of 2020, the brand has reintroduced the Ed White as part of its regular lineup with the new Speedmaster Moonwatch Chronograph 39.7 MM reference 311.30.40.30.01.001, powered by the same Calibre 321 movement as its [...]

Welcome back to an original feature, My First Grail Watch. In this series, we ask prominent people in the watch industry about the first timepiece that they lusted after. Today, were speaking with Christian Bedat, founder of RED8, who quite literally grew up in the industry, and wraps things up with a great bit of life advice. (ABTW): Who are you, and what is your relationship to the watch industry? Christian Bedat: I was born in the industry Im the son of the late Simone Bedat, who founded R [...]

At Baselworld 2018 Glashutte Original released the skeletonized dial version of the Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar that originally debuted here. This builds upon the very successful Senator Excellence collection produced in-house by Glashutte Original, with their still new Caliber 36 movement series. The Caliber 36 boasts excellent chronometric performance and reliability, which is why Glashutte Original originally designed it. The Caliber 36-02 which is contained in this Senator Excelle [...]