Dress Watches Archives - Page 79 of 101

Hands-on – IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years”

With IWC introducing so many limited-edition references for its 150^th anniversary this year (there are 27 in total), it’s been hard work picking a favourite. The blue dial Portugieser Chronograph is certainly high on the list, as of course is the Tribute to Pallweber. If I had to choose just one, however, I think it would have to be the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years” (IW503405). Striking design, practical complexity and a dial I could literally stare at for hours, it really does offer a lot of watch for the money.

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet GMT

The combination of a complete calendar (or Quantième Complet in French) with a moonphase indication and a GMT function is a classic at Blancpain. Indeed, this interesting and practical combination of complications established itself as a mainstay with its original debut in 2002. Even more, the complete calendar is a signature display of the brand since its re-inception in the 1980s. For Baselworld 2018, the Le Brassus-based manufacture reinterprets this classic in a modern way, with a redesigned dial, an improved movement and more practicality. Here is the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet GMT.

Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 5 Days/Chronometer

Last month, we wrote about an unexpected new timepiece from an unexpected source: the Clifton Baumatic from Baume & Mercier. Officially unveiled at SIHH 2018, we had the chance to spend some time getting hands-on with this all-rounder/dress watch and were quite impressed with what we found. The big news was, of course, the introduction …

Czapek Quai des Bergues Order of Malta Special Edition (with Video)

If you are a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you will be familiar with the independent watchmaker Czapek. A name with a lot of history (François Czapek was a Geneva-based Polish watchmaker whose 6-year partnership with Antoni Patek gave birth to remarkable watches before the latter founded Patek Philippe with Adrien Philippe), the brand was revived in 2015 with the launch of the Quai des Bergues. The first modern Czapek creation was awarded the Public Prize at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2016. At Baselworld 2017, the brand introduced the Place Vendôme tourbillon featuring a GMT indication.

The Stylish yet Accessible Steel Edition of the Cartier Drive de Cartier Extra Flat

In 2016, Cartier, the master of beautifully shaped cases, introduced a stylish dress watch for men; the Cartier Drive. Offered in gold or steel, it was an instant hit. Hot on the heels of this initial success, came the Drive Extra Flat in 2017, an even more refined and attractive dress watch that really turned our heads. Unlike the earlier Drive models, however, this beauty was only available in precious metals and, consequently, came with a rather hefty price tag. This year, however, we are pleased to say that Cartier has introduced the Drive Extra Flat in steel, and it is quite an attractive package at that.

Omega Seamaster Olympic Games Gold Collection – A Podium of Vintage-Inspired Watches

Since 1932, Omega is the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games and the brand learnt that they will fulfil this role until at least 2032 (even if we don’t know yet where the Games will be located). Easy to count… The Biel-based brand will be present at the Olympics for a full 100 years. To celebrate this legacy, Omega presents a new podium of watches known as the Seamaster Olympic Games Gold Collection, some elegant vintage-inspired timepieces representing the three winning medals presented to athletes at the Olympic Games.

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Outsize Date (SIHH 2018)

To me, one of the true marks of a great watch manufacturer is the ability to make interesting and desirable timepieces across a range of price points. Unfortunately, few brands seem to be able to achieve this with any consistency. There are exceptions of course, and A. Lange & Söhne is most certainly one of them. Proving my point is the new Saxonia Outsize Date, which was officially launched last month at SIHH 2018. We managed to spend a bit of hands-on time with the watch and can confirm it is as nice on the wrist as it looks in the photos.

The New A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 – Colourful Guilloche Dials and Impeccable Mechanics

As journalists crowded around the viewing table to admire the technical fireworks of A. Lange & Söhne’s Triple Split at the SIHH 2018, I made my way to a less congested table and was treated to a hands-on session with the new members of the Little Lange 1 family. Like its Moon Phase sibling introduced last year, the new Little Lange 1 trilogy flaunts an incredible guilloché dial (without a moon phase complication) and all the hallmark traits of its Lange 1 heritage. But what nobody expected was the surprising injection of colour.

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel

As part of their Baselworld 2017 collection, Jaquet Droz introduced a watch that we reviewed here and that I personally loved and considered as one of the most achieved pieces in the signature “Grande Seconde” collection. Based on the iconic 8-shaped dial, the addition of the date and the moon indication gave the watch a lovely complicated, yet balanced design. As a preview of the upcoming Basel fair, a new version is coming, in the name of the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel.

The Superb Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece in Pale Yellow Gold

For the SIHH 2018, Laurent Ferrier had quite a lot of novelties up his sleeve and his latest watch features a new movement and an unprecedented complication for the brand: an annual calendar. Housed in the sleek, round Montre Ecole (School Piece) case, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar already impressed us just by looking at photos… And then came the surprise of Ferrier’s new movement housed in a great looking new gold alloy. Clearly, one of the most elegant and desirable watches of the SIHH 2018.

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Category: Dress Watches