When The Crown Goes Classic… The Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535

Usually, when you imagine a watch bearing the name Rolex, you have something purpose-built, casual-sport (not always, but usually the dressier you can think about is a Day-Date) and quite simple in terms of complications (to the exception of the Sky-Dweller… but it is one watch in the middle of mainly time-and-date pieces). Yet, in 2014, Rolex revived a name synonymous of elegance and dressed watches: Cellini. Built around a classical and subtle case, this watch already introduced several complications, with all of them being rather practical. But what if The Crown goes where you don’t expect them… into poetical complications. Not very Rolex you’ll admit. Though, this is what you’ll get with the new Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 and it feels very satisfying.

9 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon (Hands-On)

For Baselworld 2017, Jaquet Droz integrates what certainly is the most poetical complication in their very poetical watch, unique in its display, the Grande Seconde. Based on the now iconic 8-shaped dials, with a second larger than the rest of the time, what the brand has done is a perfect example of integration. Indeed, this moon-phase feels like it has always been part of the concept, as natural evolution of the watch… Here is the new Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon. And you already know that it is a perfectly achieved watch by just reading this introduction.

9 years ago

Hands-on with the new Jaeger-leCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon

It is hard to imagine that a watch like the Reverso could become even more successful. With the creation of the “Reverso Tribute”-collection, this is exactly what happened. Now that Jaeger-LeCoultre has released the Reverso Tribute Moon it moves to even higher ground.

9 years ago

Hands-On – Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Moon Phase And Retrograde Date

This year was the year of the exceptional for Vacheron Constantin, a year of ultra-complex, ultra-rare and ultra-precious watches. The two main novelties were indeed the Celestia and the Symphonia. One is an astronomical watch with 23 complications, tourbillon and massive power reserve (6 barrels…!) The other one is no less than a Grande Sonnerie. Good for angels… However the brand also had some novelties for us, mere mortals. And one of them is this highly elegant and rather original Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Moon Phase And Retrograde Date.

9 years ago

IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph In Steel – The Cornerstone Of The 2017 Collection

As we’ve seen yesterday, the story behind the IWC Da Vinci has been eventful and longer than many thought. If the first edition dates back 1969, it’s really in 1985 that the Da Vinci obtained the recognition we know today, with one iconic version, the Ref. 3750 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, conceived in the mind of genius Kurt Klaus. For 2017, there’s a new Da Vinci collection, which takes inspiration in that vintage model. And this might be the main reason why we heard many collectors praising one edition in particular, the one we believe to be the cornerstone of the 2017 range, the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in Steel.

9 years ago

SIHH 2017: Frank’s Top 5 Watches

The first and arguably most important watch fair of the year is over but the dust has barely settled. This was not only my maiden trip to SIHH but also to Switzerland and as you can imagine, it was an exciting experience for me. As per Deployant tradition, I am here to present to you my top 5 picks from SIHH 2017. The watches were selected for…

9 years ago

Hands-On With The F.P. Journe Octa Divine, Redesigned and Enlarged

After the Chronomètre Optimum, the Perpetual Calendar and the Octa Lune, this year (introduced during the SIHH 2016) the F.P. Journe Octa Divine also moves to a 42mm diameter. Yes, you’ll have to get used to it, but as of now, Journe will only deliver 40mm and 42mm watches – and he said goodbye to the 38mm case with this exclusive collection. Well, that’s not the only novelty here, as the entire dial has been redesigned and the display also evolved. Today, we go hands-on with this F.P. Journe Octa Divine, another proof of the manufacture’s mastery of originality and elegance.

9 years ago

The New A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Moon Phase, now with Integrated Day/Night Indicator

The Lange 1 is the icon of the A. Lange & Söhne collection since its re-inception, in 1994. Back then, it was a quite disruptive, yet hyper-elegant watch… and it still is. Another recurring theme at A. Lange & Söhne is the moon, which can be found on several watches of the Saxonian Manufacture – See the Saxonia Moon Phase. So what if you combine both? You’ll have the Lange 1 Moon Phase. And since the standard Lange 1 went under a slight but welcomed update in 2015, it is time now for the moon version to benefit from the new Lange 1 movement and from a new day/night indication, right into the moonphase indication. Here is the new, SIHH 2017, A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Moon Phase (not to be confused with the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase).

9 years ago