Bearing the code name ‘Commando’, in 1967 Tudor embarked upon an ambitious project for the US Navy to replace the standard-issue Oyster Prince Submariner 7928 reference. Although it never got beyond the prototype stage – as Ref. 7016 was eventually adopted to replace the 7928 – archival information held by the brand has allowed Tudor […]
Rolex has its habits… Baselworld always means an array of small novelties (different dials, different colors or different materials on existing watches) and one big novelty. And this year, the big one is a new, sportier, larger, bolder take on one not-so-hot watch, the Yacht-Master. Meet the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42, with increased size, black […]
More than three centuries after the invention of the sprung balance (by Hooke/Huygens), the oscillator is back in the limelight. Exploring new frontier and technological breakthroughs in mechanical watchmaking, the oscillator is considered the crowning glory for the most inventive and skillful watchmakers. Just a few days after the presentation of the Ulysse Nardin Freak […]
Last year, the star of the show at the Basel watch fair was the new Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi (blue-and-red) bezel and Jubilee bracelet, in steel, under the reference 126710BLRO. This was a sort of “dream come true” for watch aficionados – but not for retailers and potential buyers. Following the success of this watch, […]
In 2017, Patek Philippe (sort of) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its iconic yet entry-level sports watch, the Aquanaut, by presenting an oversized “Jumbo” model in white gold with a blue dial, the reference 5168G-001. With its case increased by 2mm and its precious metal case, it a bit of a controversial piece. Well, there’s […]
Although bronze cases have become almost mainstream these days, there is one brand they will always be most associated with: Panerai. It seems fitting then that this year, as the Florentine brand establishes the Submersible as its own stand-alone collection, we see the introduction of a new Panerai Submersible Bronzo, under the reference PAM00968. Building […]
The Kalpa collection was originally introduced by Parmigiani Fleurier in 2001. It is one of the most recognizable models of the brand with its distinctive tonneau-shaped case extended by rounded, stylized teardrop lugs. Last year, at SIHH 2018, the Kalpa got a facelift with a tastefully modernized case and the use of shaped movements across […]
To say there’s a sea of microbrands out there pushing dive watches would be an understatement. The Marnaut Dark Surge 300m Series, UNDONE Aqua and Farer Aqua Compressor Endeavour are recent examples. Comparable to drivers of four-wheel drive SUV’s, many dive watch owners rarely (if ever) use the timepieces for their intended purpose, preferring form […]
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon has been around for a couple of years in various guises. This sporty model is an attractive package, to be considered as an affordable alternative to the high-end luxury sports watch. With the Venturer, Maurice Lacroix is taking the Aikon into different territories, shifting its focus on a sportier, more adventurous […]
Delma might not be the most famous of brands, but it has history and credibility when it comes to dive watches and launched its first dive watch in 1969. More interesting are recent developments of the brand, which include a robust, tool-oriented piece called the Blue Shark. As part of the Basel Watch Week, Delma […]