Maurice Lacroix entered the heavily contested luxury sports watch market quite some time ago, with the introduction of a mechanical Aikon back in 2018 already. Since then, it’s come in many colours and materials, and in different styles. From robust divers to chronographs, and from colourful summer watches to creatively complex renditions, it’s pretty much all been done. However, follo...
The grande sonnerie is one of the most intricate mechanisms in watchmaking. Its creation requires the utmost technical expertise as hundreds of components are required to interact simultaneously and strike time indications perfectly. Bulgari has a rich tradition of crafting striking watches, having already produced grande and petite sonnerie watches.?This expertise first originated from the acquis...
The Super-Compressor Longines Diver ref. 7042 launched in 1959 and has since become an ambassador of sorts for the aquatic sports collection. Traditionally sized at 42mm with or without a date window, a more compact 39mm no-date variant debuted in 2023 and quickly became a fan favourite. This came with two lacquered dial colours, blue and black, and an updated automatic movement. This year, Longin...
The latest Oris Aquis Chronograph doesn't reinvent the wheel and certainly doesn't need to, but it brings a welcomed refresh to the Aquis chrono that follows in the footsteps of the updated 2024 Aquis Date. A noticeable visual change is the arrangement of the three sub-dials, now in a smiley face format (as Oris puts it) also known as tri-compax. Previous Aquis chronographs are known to be large a...
Collaborations in the watch industry have become all the rage, bringing diverse brands and creative minds together. While most collabs typically result in a single watch that blends the DNA of two brands, high-end independent watchmaker H. Moser & Cie and micro-brand Studio Underd0g join forces for a fun and unexpected collab dubbed it's about passion fruit. First, these two watchmaking brands...
Founded in 1884 and celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, Breitling is no stranger to innovation and important milestones. In 1915, it launched the first wrist-worn chronograph with an independent pusher. In 1934, it patented a watch with a second independent pusher. In 1969, it participated in the creation of one of the first automatic chronograph movements, the Chronomatic or Calibre 11. ...
Bulgari's novelties for Geneva Watch Days are grouped around the theme of sound. Among the more classical notes of its new chiming watches, Bulgari is also introducing a special version of its Aluminium GMT inspired by the famous Stratocaster guitar made by Fender in 1954. Donning the livery of the original Stratocaster, the new Bulgari Aluminium GMT is a limited edition of 1,200 pieces. In light ...
Seen by many collectors and watch insiders as one of the most important names of the indie watchmaking scene, Daniel Roth was instrumental in the rebirth of the Breguet brand and as an initiator of the comeback of high-end mechanical watchmaking after the quartz crisis – check this in-depth article for all the details. Recently taken over by the watch division of Louis Vuitton, Daniel Roth m...
If I asked you to name things that are 1.65mm in height, or less, would you immediately think of a watch? More likely you’d be thinking of credit cards, coins maybe, or even a sheet of cardboard. But a mechanical watch? Surely that can’t be done at such a slim height… Well, it can be done, and it has?been done as renowned indie watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin reveals his ThinKing. ...
First presented in 2017, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono surprised a bit the brand’s fans with its mix of classic dive watch elements (solid water-resistance and snowflake hands) and racing cues, with the chronograph function and external tachymeter bezel. Multiple editions of this watch will follow, all powered by a Breitling-derived automatic movement, including the Black Bay Chrono Dark, the P...
When it comes to icons, every brand wishes to have at least one in the ranks, but few brands can claim to have several cornerstone collections. One such brand is IWC, which can always count on the Big Pilot, Portugieser and Portofino to entice watch lovers. The Portofino, first introduced in 1984, quickly garnered a reputation for its timeless elegance.?However, one thing that has always been abse...
This year, IWC brings the emblematic Portugieser collection under the spotlight, introducing several stunning new additions to the collection, including the impressive Eternal Calendar and updates to several iconic models, such as the chronograph and the 7-day Automatic. On the occasion of Watches and Wonders Shanghai, the brand unveils a new version of its Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide. ...
Hyper Horology. A term coined by the Roger Dubuis manufacture that perfectly describes its complex and extravagant watchmaking style. The brand doesn’t shy away from uniquely creative and colourful expressions, regularly incorporating exotic materials stemming from the automotive or aeronautical world. Roger Dubuis’ latest adaptation of its cornerstone Excalibur collection not only inc...
Polo is a highly important name for Piaget. It dates back to 1979 when the brand launched its luxurious solid gold watch with an integrated bracelet and signature gadroons all around. Although it was recently recreated, today’s audiences associate the name Piaget Polo with something far more contemporary and sleeker. Presented in 2016, the Polo collection is the brand’s vision of a lux...
Coinciding with Watches & Wonders Shanghai, Vacheron Constantin gets a head start on the 2025 Chinese New Year and releases two limited editions celebrating the Year of the Snake. An annual tradition now for the past 12 years, the brand's richly decorated Chinese Zodiac pieces not only pay homage to China's cultural traditions but highlight the commercial ties of Vacheron Constantin and China ...
The interest in high-end independent watchmaking has risen to great heights over the past few years, and with it, new and exciting names pop up every now and then. Names that might come fresh from school, or in the case of Fabian Pellet, can rely on over two decades of experience. Presenting his debut piece, called Essential, it shows all the hallmarks of a very refined mechanical watch. A gorgeou...
Watches come in all sizes, shapes, colours, styles and materials, which is why there’s always something to be found that ticks personal boxes. One of the options in terms of case material, or beyond for that matter, is ceramic. Pioneered by brands like Rado, it has come a long way and can be found in anything from a robust diver or sleek luxury sports watch to a complex calendar watch. Its m...
Independent watchmaking has been on the rise over the past 20 years, and for good reason. Independent watchmakers are guided by passion and personal perspectives, leading to authentic creations and often crafted to a level unattainable in mass production. David Candaux's motto, Le Coeur et l'Esprit (the heart and mind), perfectly captures this philosophy. Raised in a family of watchmakers, Candaux...
Sitting alongside the very big Big Pilot (the real deal for many) and the less big Big Pilot 43 in the range of IWC’s Pilot watches, the Mark XX is the latest generation of a watch that is the true essence of a tool for aviators, in a reasonable size. A watch with great pedigree, which can trace its origins back to the Dirty Dozen and the early Mark series, it’s been modernized and upd...
Independent and creative high-end watchmaking is more than ever at the centre stage of the watch industry. The interest of collectors in such rare and exclusive watches, produced by small-scale companies and infused with the soul of their creators, has been on the rise for several years now. And as a consequence, large luxury groups have also started to show increasing interest in these companies,...
This is not the first time 1970s pop culture has come to life on a watch dial, and it's likely not to be the last time. There's just something appealing about past icons, and reviving them in relation to watches is common practice. One such watch to get this type of makeover is the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. Born in the 1970s as the PRX, it was relaunched to great success just a few short years ago...
Presented last year by Longines as the flagship model in its recent pilot-oriented collection, the Spirit Flyback paid tribute to an important function for the brand, the retour-en-vol chronograph. While the authorship of the flyback complication is a topic that is still discussed, the winged hourglass brand produced its first model equipped with a flyback function in 1925, then filed a patent whi...
Have you ever found yourself torn between two rather similar-looking watches and not knowing which one to go for? I’m pretty sure we’ve all experienced this at some point, maybe even two watches from the same brand. The choice of a blue or green dial, or any other colour for that matter, can already be a tough one to make. I had that very experience recently when I was at Lang & He...
In recent news, watchmaker Omega has recently announced the renewal of its role as the Official Timekeeper of one of the the world’s most intense sailing races and the oldest trophy in international sport, the America's Cup. The brand began its partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand and legendary sailor Sir Peter Blake in 1995 and continues to be a strong provider of regatta-themed watch...
Following the relaunch of Rado's classic Captain Cook in 2017 (first introduced in 1962), the diver's portfolio has expanded significantly with models like the Bronze Collection and Two-Tone Automatics. This latest variant celebrates summer with a nod to tennis and offers three different straps for a new vibe whenever the mood strikes. It's not the first model to wink at tennis as the Cameron Norr...
The PRX collection continues to capture attention, with Tissot consistently introducing cool new designs that resonate with consumers. This series has become popular for its competitive pricing, appealing aesthetics, and solid performance features. Drawing inspiration from Tissot’s 1978 Seastar - a sports watch with an integrated bracelet - the PRX series (Precise, Robust, with the X represe...
Ever-evolving, Audemars Piguet's Code 11.59 collection was given a facelift in 2023 with a series of stainless steel models. Respectful of the complex case architecture that has few detractors, the controversy surrounding the somewhat dull dials of the inaugural members was addressed with a new embossed dial pattern and revisited indices, hands and typeface. A few months ago, AP released seven pin...
Patrik Hoffmann has been at the forefront of the watch industry for years, notably as CEO of Ulysse Nardin and Executive Vice President of Watchbox. Now, this industry veteran is leading the revival of one of the oldest Swiss watch brands with ambitious plans. Established in 1737, Favre Leuba boasts a rich heritage, particularly from the 1960s, when it created the FL 251 twin barrel movement and i...
Longines’ Spirit collection has been quite the hit from the get-go. The style, fit and finish were on point and ticked a lot of boxes for a lot of people. Since its inception in 2020, we’ve seen quite an impressive and widespread run of pilot-inspired watches in varying degrees of complexity, ?colours and even multiple sizes and materials. One of the most standout models, to us at leas...
Back in 2008, Union Glashutte introduced the square-cased Averin. This bold chronograph watch looked quite different from most, thanks to a unique display for the date. A central three-handed pointer followed a three-line scale. Different, unique and quite fun for sure! Now though, the brand has decided to simplify things a little and morph the Averin into a racing-inspired two-register chronograp...