Category: Novelty

Hands-on – Anonimo Brings New Summer Editions of the Nautilo With Blue Dials

It’s been 12 years since the first Nautilo dive watch was developed by Dino Zei, naval engineer and former 25-year head of Panerai, and a couple of new editions have arrived for the summer. The theme this year is blue, which is fitting for a naval-inspired dive watch, and they follow the design refresh we saw last year in conjunction with Anonimo’s 20th Anniversary. The Italian brand has been fairly consistent with their cushion case designs for the Nautilo line with crowns at 4 o’clock, but the dials have evolved over time. The summer editions bring color changes to the dials with new ceramic bezels but maintain the no-nonsense diver’s tool aesthetic from previous generations.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Patek Philippe Ref. 5205G-013 – The Young Man’s Patek Annual Calendar

Blue dial watches have been popular for some time now. So much so, that they have almost become the rule instead of the exception. To stand out from the crowd with a blue dial nowadays, therefore, you have to do something a little special. That’s exactly what Patek Philippe has done with the latest iteration of its reference 5205G. Although not a new watch per se, the addition of a mouth-wateringly delicious blue gradient dial has reinvented this model in my eyes, driving its desirability factor through the roof. We spent some time hands-on with this watch recently, and let me tell you, the only thing harder than capturing the gorgeous blue tones was giving it back.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Zenith Defy Classic – Redefining the Brand’s Sports Watch

Today we take a second look at the Zenith Defy collection, and more specifically the Zenith Defy Classic. After the revolutionary chronograph that is the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 and the stunning Zenith Defy Lab and Zenith Defy Zero G, this is a simplified watch but nonetheless a very interesting one. Modern and architectural design combined with elements that make up a great luxury sports watch, the Zenith Defy Classic is definitely a strong contender!

8 years ago

Hands-on – Breguet Marine Alarme Musicale 5547 – Classic Complication, Modern Style

Breguet has always been known for making complex watches. The brand’s tendency towards a traditional aesthetic, however, has sometimes deterred younger buyers. That trend seems to be changing. The latest example comes in the form of the new models introduced into the Marine collection at Baselworld this year. We’ve already covered the Breguet Marine 5517 in detail here. Now, we’re turning our attention to the Marine Alarme Musicale 5547, a contemporary styled watch with some very traditional complications.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Louis Moinet SpaceWalker & Skylink – Celebrating Russian Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Yuri Gagarin. Three men we pretty much all know, cemented in history due to their endeavours in outer space. But, besides these legends among men, there are more pioneers that deserve credit for their adventures but simply appear less top-of-mind for most of us, or not known at all. Well, Louis Moinet, the inventors of the chronograph, bring us two watches celebrating Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov; the Louis Moinet SpaceWalker & Skylink.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Skeleton Limited Edition

There are certain watch brands that are unmistakable at first sight. Panerai and Richard Mille come to mind. Chronoswiss is another such brand with its signature regulator displays, side knurled cases and large onion crowns. Since 1987, Chronoswiss has celebrated this regulator design and built a brand identity around it. Following up on recent regulator models, such as the Flying Regulator Open Gear and Flying Regulator Night and Day, the relatively young brand of 35 years has introduced a limited edition Flying Grand Regulator Skeleton in steel. The dial has been scaled back to the bare essentials and provides an almost unfettered view of the skeletonized movement. It’s a bold and modern addition to the series.

8 years ago

Introducing – Hamilton Khaki Field Day-Date 42mm “Camouflage” Automatic

Following up on the affordable Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm, Hamilton is introducing the Khaki Field Camouflage collection with larger cases and automatic movements. Back in the 1940’s, Hamilton (then an American brand) received the US Army-Navy ‘E’ Award for their ability to deliver one million reliable, accurate watches to the US military. Although Hamilton is now a Swiss brand, the company is proud of its US military roots and continues to produce models that are faithful to that era and the American spirit. The new Khaki Field Day-Date Camouflage watches are more contemporary than their hand-wound 38mm counterparts but still fall within this military aesthetic.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Breguet Classique Extra-Plate 5157 Pink Gold – Quintessentially Breguet

Creating a two-hand ultra-thin watch is, believe it or not, one of the most complex exercises for a watch-designer. Because of the extreme simplicity of such pieces, it is utterly easy to end up with the most boring watch possible – and how to differentiate yourself when you simply have nothing to express yourself…? This is where the Breguet Classique Extra-Plate 5157 (and its 2018 pink gold version) is brilliant. It manages to be extremely pure, clean and simple and at the same time, it is quintessentially Breguet.

8 years ago

Introducing – Panerai’s New Entry-Level Watches – Radiomir Logo 3 Days PAM00753 & Radiomir Black Seal Logo 3 Days PAM00754

A couple of years ago, when the idea of buying a Panerai crossed your mind, you knew that a minimum of 6K would be required. Quite a hefty price for what were, after all, simple tool watches. Yet, it seems that a new strategy is on its way at the “Officine”. After introducing new and affordable Luminor Base and Marina at the SIHH 2018, the brand is applying the same concept on the Radiomir watches, creating its new entry-level offer: the Radiomir Logo 3 Days PAM00753 and the Radiomir Black Seal Logo 3 Days PAM00754. Back to basics and back to realistic prices – indeed, you can now have a new Panerai for less than EUR 4,000.

8 years ago