Here it is, the big (and clearly unexpected) one for the SIHH 2019. Audemars Piguet won’t only be presenting Royal Oaks and Royal Oak Offshores because there’s an entirely new collection launching at the SIHH 2019. Classic but contemporary, clean but full of superb details, modern but still infused with traditional watchmaking… Here is the CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet – an...
The Freak watch has been a beloved rock star in the Ulysse Nardin line-up ever since its introduction to the world in 2001. Back then, the flying carrousel watch was an anomaly and many watch lovers were immediately smitten by its complex watchmaking and alluring design. It was also the watch that introduced silicium technology to the world – the Freak was, in 2001, the first watch featuring...
In a bold move that underscores its technical abilities, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils a grande complication watch featuring a staggering combination of complications: a multi-axis tourbillon driven by a remontoir d'egalite, a minute repeater with Westminster chimes, a perpetual calendar and more. Meet the new (and superb) Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetuel - ...
This year, at the SIHH 2019, the main focus of Panerai will be on the?Submersible watch – a bold and back-to-basics move to refocus the brand on the diving world. The first of the watches to be introduced is a “militarized” version of the impressive (and surprisingly convincing) Submersible?Carbotech. But that’s probably not the only thing that will grab your attention beca...
This is the big one for SIHH 2019! Here's an early hands-on article to what will most likely be one of the most discussed watches of the fair – and a crucial event for the brand, CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet. Very simply because there has been no product launch of this magnitude over the past 20 years for the brand. Picture this, 13 new references, 6 news models, 3 brand new calibres –...
Things go fast for Singer Reimagined. The brand was created just two years ago by Rob Dickinson, former singer for Catherine Wheel and founder of Singer Vehicle Design, and Marco Borraccino, an Italian watch designer and entrepreneur. Their lofty objective is to reimagine high-end watchmaking, infusing classics with novel, unique perspectives and a focus on functionality. Just a few months after i...
We all know Audemars Piguet for the legendary Royal Oak that was introduced in 1972. This iconic watch was followed by two other important launches. In 1992, the brand reinvented its luxury sports watch in a robust, more masculine version, the Royal Oak Offshore. Thirty?years after the introduction of the inaugural Royal Oak, in 2002, Audemars Piguet introduced a new line in the family, the Royal ...
Just before the opening of SIHH 2019?(Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie), Switzerland-based luxury conglomerate Richemont has released its trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2018. Richemont announced that sales in the quarter rose 25% at actual exchange rates and 24% at constant exchange rates – results that should, however, be nuanced across?the business portfolio.Org...
Twenty-five years ago, a phoenix arose from its ashes – one of the most spectacular phoenixes Saxony has ever seen. His name was A. Lange & Sohne. To mark its resurrection as a new company, the brand introduced four watches, and among them was a watch that would go on to become the cornerstone of the collection, a watch of great elegance, distinction and originality. This watch was the L...
Last year, at the SIHH 2018, Ressence introduced something very special! While the brand has been all about mechanical modules that display the time in a very unique way, the?Ressence Type 2 added some connected functionalities to the package – no worries, it has nothing to do with a step counter or a conversation with a phone. It was unique, unprecedented and (very) clever. This watch featu...
There’s no denying that Oris has a consolidated background in diving watches. While recent introductions have been more “lifestyle” (yet very good) watches, the brand makes a comeback to rugged, professional-oriented, purpose-built watches today. An evolution of Oris’?high-performance ProDiver watch, made for professional divers, this new piece proves that a chronograph can...
A category not often touched upon, as eligible entries are few and far between, are driver's watches. Seasoned watch geeks or serious collectors might recall the Vacheron Constantin Historique American 1921, or even the MB&F HM8 Can-Am. However, we might have a more affordable solution to driving, preferably fast, and not having to take your hand off the steering wheel. Introducing Dutch start...
What came a few minutes ago in our email boxes was totally out of the blue – but by far the best piece of news Speedmaster fans could have dreamed of. Omega is about to relaunch one of the most iconic chronograph movements ever, the movement that actually went to the Moon on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, the movement that equipped the first generations of Omega Speedmaster Moo...
With the SIHH 2019 just around the corner, we thought it was the perfect moment to look back at what the 2018 edition of the Geneva Watch Fair, a.k.a Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) had to show… And it had a lot to show. Technical, beautiful, innovative, ultra-complicated or simply well-thought everyday pieces. There was a lot and, in that perspective, SIHH 2018 didn’...
While the link between Anonimo and the sea or military forces is relatively easy to catch, the brand has recently started to explore new horizons. For instance, the Florentine brand has partnered with?the?FIA World Rally Championship to create the?Militare Chronograph WRC Special Edition. Today, the connection to racing bikes is highlighted as Anonimo is now a partner of the Leopard Racing team. B...
Hand-made… these two words are too often misused in the world of watches, but not so when talking about Beat Haldimann as we recently did, or when talking about Atelier de Chronometrie. The latter, a small independent watch brand from Barcelona, rebuilds or revives vintage Omegas, entirely by hand. Approximately a year ago, our managing editor Brice Goulard wrote about Atelier de Chronometri...
The revamped Santos was the star of the SIHH 2018 for Cartier and for multiple reasons, it was a success. Well designed, well equipped, well executed and relatively fair when it comes to the price, Cartier gave this iconic shape a slightly sportier (or let’s say more modern) touch and some nice details, such as a clever strap/bracelet system. Just ahead of the SIHH 2019, this model appears i...
When you hear the word Baume, most would assume it's referring to Baume & Mercier, a popular luxury watch brand dating back to 1830 and now part of the Richemont Group. And they'd be partially correct. Baume is an offshoot of Baume & Mercier with Marie Chassot (Product Marketing Director for Baume & Mercier) coming in as the lead, along with several other executives from the parent com...
There are only a handful of watchmakers who perform their art in the oldest and most traditional way, meaning by hand. Beat Haldimann and his team are among the few who still make watches without the help of CNC machines. Haldimann’s collection of timepieces focuses on centrally positioned regulating organs, like the H11 and H12 that we showed you last year. Today we’re going to take a...
We've covered many Doxa SUB dive watches over the years, including the Limited Edition Doxa Mission 31 SUB Professional and Doxa SUB 300 Searambler Silver Lung' Reissue. Founded in 1889 in Le Locle, Switzerland by Georges Ducommun, Doxa has a storied history that started with an 8-day watch movement in 1908 for car and plane dashboards. However, it was the Doxa Sub, introduced in 1966, that led to...
Balance is key in watches, not only from an engineering perspective but also as a code of conduct when it comes to design. Wybe van der Gang, namesake and founder to the Van der Gang watch manufacture based in Dokkum, the Netherlands, has made this the core of his brand. Balanced, stylish design, with intriguing details and features, through all the collections. We go in-depth with one of their st...
When you think of great American watch companies, brands like Hamilton and Waltham come to mind. Neither of those are American anymore, with Hamilton ending US production in 1969 after being acquired by the Buren Watch Company in Buren an der Aare, Switzerland. Hamilton ultimately became part of the Swatch Group and remains a popular brand today. Waltham is a bit fragmented, but now principally Wa...
The Patek Philippe 5531R was born with the perfect pedigree to become a cult watch. Combining for the first time two of the most iconic complications from Patek Philippe, it is both a world time watch and a minute repeater. This remarkable timepiece was premiered at the Patek Philippe Art of Watches exhibition (New York – 2017), before entering the regular collection as of Baselworld 2018. T...
Our 2018 buying guides have to come to an end. After?the top 10 watches below EUR 2,000, followed by 10 watches?between EUR 2,000 and 5,000, our 10 prefered watches?between EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000,?and finally out top picks between EUR 10,000 and EUR 25,000, it is now time to look at the best of the best, when money doesn’t matter anymore: the best watches of 2018 in the high-end category, a...
If you had to define a Panerai watch to somebody who knew nothing about the brand, you would probably end up with a description along these lines: a hefty cushion-shaped case, vintage accents, a unique Italian flair and a simple dial with signature numerals glowing in the dark. Iconic for some, but for others perhaps a bit too minimalist, too empty. However, Panerai has more to offer than time-onl...
The 29th edition of the SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) will soon be throwing its doors open with some 35 brands gearing up to unveil their latest models. The Geneva-based event, which runs between January 14 to 17, is one of the two major watch shows of the year - together with Baselworld. Just as the synchronization of the calendar of both events has been announced, MONOCHROME ...
Modularity has become a big thing in the watch industry, with more and more embracing the concept of customisation (at least for some very high-end brands) and interchangeable strap/bracelet system – think Vacheron Constantin, Maurice Lacroix or Cartier. Yet, in the end, you have the same watch on a different strap. Certainly a nice first step and a good idea, but some thought they could go ...
The topic of watch fairs is hot these days. Everything started with the explosive news of?Swatch Group’s decision to leave Baselworld 2019. This led to several other departures, followed by the resignation of Baselworld/MCH’s CEO and multiple criticisms. In order to stop the bleeding and calm things down, the SIHH and Baselworld announced they will be synchronising their calendars agai...
Cartier manages to fuse a unique touch of French sophistication with a very liberal attitude towards design. Cartier’s love affair with?fascinating shaped watches?has lasted for a century and you'd be hard pressed to find a straightforward round watch chez la Maison. Unusual shapes, like the square Santos, the rectangular Tank, the barrel-shaped Tortue, or even the weird and wild 1967 Crash ...
The rumour had been around for some time now, many were hoping for this to happen, and now it’s official. Baselworld and SIHH will coordinate their dates as of 2020. The two major trade shows of the watch industry will synchronize their calendars. The SIHH will be held from 26 to 29 April in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from 30 April to 5 May in Basel. Better yet, the calendars...