Renowned for its technical, modern and robust-looking watches, Oris started to introduce some vintage-inspired designs in its collections a few years ago, notably with the Divers Sixty Five collection. While the pilot’s watches hark back to the 1940s and the diving pieces play on the 1960s trend, the motorsport collection recreates the spirit of another era, […]
Over the past few years, TAG Heuer has established a series of partnerships in the world of football/soccer: brand ambassadors (Mats Hummels…), championships (Premier League, LFP, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Major League Soccer…) and several clubs, including Manchester United, one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world. Born 140 years ago, Manchester United has won 66 trophies including no fewer than 20 English league titles! For its third season as the team official timekeeper, TAG Heuer is launching two new special editions in the frame of the ‘Red Devils’ United States tour this summer: a Carrera Heuer 01 and a Formula One.
Following up on the release of the first Railmaster Co-Axial Master Chronometers last year (with anthracite or silver dials), Omega has introduced a denim blue version for 2018. Not much has changed in a year and a few cosmetic tweaks are the stars of the show, but they make a real difference in the overall look and feel. It may seem a bit like more of the same, but last year’s models were attractive and well priced with chronometer-certified movements, making them almost a bargain for what you were getting. The denim blue edition adds to the portfolio with a fresh coat of paint and new strap. Let’s take a closer look.
Baume & Mercier has changed tack radically after introducing its first proprietary movement – Baumatic™- during the SIHH in January 2018. Greeted with positive reactions, the Baumatic™ has been housed in the Clifton line of watches, Baume & Mercier’s all-rounder collection that includes the sporty Clifton Club series, clearly targeted at younger men. But above all, the Clifton Baumatic marks a new direction for the brand with its high-performance chronometer-grade movement, a diligent and admirable step up from third-party sourced movements that were the mainstay of the brand. Presented in a COSC-certified version – the Clifton Baumatic Chronometer – and three non-COSC versions with the same engine under the bonnet, this model on a steel bracelet is a casual verging on elegant watch, a perfect watch to introduce young men into the world of mechanical movements. Unassuming but handsome, well-endowed mechanically but not bulky, the Clifton Baumatic is Baume & Mercier’s proposal of a casual everyday watch with a prudent price tag.
Oris partnered with the Williams Formula 1 team back in 2003 and the two have successfully launched many limited-edition watches in the last 15 years. This partnership continues with the debut of the Oris Martini Racing Limited Edition, which commemorates the 50thanniversary of the Martini Racing Team, Williams’ principal sponsor. Design cues on the dial follow those on Martini race cars and there’s a special engraving on the steel case back. The overall design is based on the previous Oris Williams Chronograph.
As the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega always presents limited editions dedicated to these major sports events. With Tokyo 2020 on its way, we were expected some new watches to be introduced. And here they are, the new Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection (to give credits where due, thank you Fratellowatches and Instagram users for spreading the news…) Don’t look for these watches on your local Omega website, unless you live in Japan. Indeed, these are Japan-only editions – but in today’s world, this won’t mean much to some who really want to get their hands on these watches…
A few days ago, the Goodwood Festival of Speed (GFOS) took place in the UK for the 25th time in its history. As the official timekeeper of the (superb) event for the second year, Montblanc was, of course, present to celebrate the world of cars. However, that’s not all, as a pair of vintage-oriented, Cappuccino-coloured Limited Editions of MB’s racing-oriented watch was also introduced. Meet the new Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph and Date Automatic Cappuccino Limited Editions.
In 2017, Doxa introduced the SUB 300 ‘Black Lung’, a reissue of a rare 1967 prototype, an iconic watch amongst the diving community made for Aqua Lung. Unfortunately for some (and fortunately for Doxa), this limited edition was the fastest-selling model of the brand ever… Today, there’s one more chance to get your hands on another ultra-cool version, this time using the long-running signature Silver ‘Searambler’ style. Meet the Doxa SUB 300 Searambler ‘Silver Lung’ Reissue – and again, you will need to be fast.
Celebrating the 50thanniversary of the 1968 hi-beat diver Ref. 6159-7001, the first diver’s watch with a hi-beat automatic caliber, Seiko introduced three modern divers that pay homage to this horological icon. The limited edition Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 with caliber 8L55 (36,000vph/5Hz) sits at the top and is a faithful recreation of the original. Retailing for EUR 5,500, it’s unfortunately not for the casual enthusiast. On the other end is the Prospex Diver 200m SPB077, which isn’t a limited edition and retails for as little as EUR 900 (depending on silicon or steel bracelet). It’s more of a reinterpretation as the caliber 6R15 beats at only 21,600vph (3Hz) with a 200m water resistant case. The one I’m looking at sits in the middle, with the caliber 8L35 beating at 28,800vph (4Hz) and a 300m water resistance. Let’s take a closer look at this new limited edition commemorative diver.
Today we’re taking a closer look at the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Annuel. This year, the well-known dive watch debuts an unexpected twist, with the inclusion of an annual calendar complication. The result is a quirky watch with a quirky display, and yet, it somehow works. (Arguably it’s not the quirkiest watch in Blancpain’s line-up this year – that honour goes to the Bathyscaphe Day Date 70s). Hardcore dive enthusiasts and elitist complication collectors alike will no doubt shun this ‘cross-over’ timepiece. The dive-watch obsessed broader market, however, might just have a different opinion.