Review – Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phase de Lune

At first, Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe watches are clearly seen as tool/dive pieces. But in fact, there’s more. The new Fifty Fathoms BathyscapheQuantième Complet Phase de Lune advances the idea of adding civilian-friendly features with both a complete calendar and moon-phase display. Typically found in their luxury Villeret collection, the complications add a classic, dressy vibe to the otherwise tool watch aesthetic. With previous models like the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Annuel, it’s not the first time Blancpain has dressed up a Bathyscaphe diver with complications, but this is the boldest model yet. Let’s take a closer look at this interesting tool/dress hybrid.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain – Still GF All the Way, Just More Reasonable

In the last years we have seen two very different faces of Greubel Forsey: on the one hand, we get extraordinarily complex watches with big cases and uneven shapes that look like a boxer after an unsuccessful fight night. Its famous GMT is a prime example of that. On the other hand, it also produces watches with round cases and simpler dials. Still the same insane obsession with the best finishes possible, but less information and a more traditional arrangement. It started with the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision, with live pictures here, that secured the manufacture the 2016 Aiguille d’Or, the highest prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genéve (GPHG). That same year we saw the Signature 1, with an even simpler structure. And that’s the case of the new Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain.

7 years ago

VIDEO: New Traditions – taking a look at the Rado Tradition 1965

There’s few things I like more in watchland than being surprised. Sadly, it doesn’t happen too often. But when it does, it’s always memorable. And being in Rado’s booth at Basel last year was one of those moments. I had seen the large Tradition 1965 on display and dismissed it without a thought. Who needs a plus-sized rectangular watch, I thought to myself.  Turns out, me. When I put this watch on I was blown away at how comfortable it was (it wears very well for the shape, and the titanium case keeps the weight down), and the shape of the case was sophisticated and chic. On top of that, the dial was a masterclass in shimmering texture and stylised applied numerals. I learned that it was inspired by the Manhattan skyline and, boy, did it look the part. Later, I got to see the smaller version, and while it’s not made with my wrist in mind, it obviously shares many of the same charms as its bigger brother. Rado Tradition 1965 Australian pricing and availability Rado Tradition XL, $3175, Rado Tradition M, $2625, both limited to 1965 pieces.

The post VIDEO: New Traditions – taking a look at the Rado Tradition 1965 appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

7 years ago

INTRODUCING: The Bremont MBIII 10th Anniversary limited edition

Bremont is a brand built, to no small degree, around meaningful collaborations — particularly those in the aerospace sector. And of these relationships there’s one that holds pride of place and speaks to the heart of the British brand – Martin-Baker.  Martin-Baker has, since 1946, been one of the most important suppliers of ejection seats and escape systems. Their seats are used on more than 80 aircraft types and have saved 7595 lives. This year marks a decade of partnership with Bremont. The watch collection that is the fruit of this partnership is the Martin-Baker line, a decidedly modern take on the aviation watch, and one that’s proven a hit for the brand. Though getting your hands on an MBI is not so easy, as to be eligible you need to have actually seen the business end of a Martin-Baker seat in action.  Thankfully for the civvies reading this, this commemorative MBIII is a little more accessible, limited to 310 pieces worldwide. The MBIII/10th is a GMT, with the second timezone hand tipped with a red triangle, a Martin-Baker icon that also appears on the internal GMT bezel and the dial itself (the dial version also features some cool DANGER…

The post INTRODUCING: The Bremont MBIII 10th Anniversary limited edition appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 38mm – Small is Big News

Although the launch of Code 11.59 and the consequent deluge of reactions pretty much eclipsed other novelties of the brand during the SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet had some treats up its sleeve, including this 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph. Still the same watch as the existing 41mm Royal Oak Chronograph but 3mm smaller, still powered by the same automatic chronograph movement, the new 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph is out to conquer men and women’s wrists alike. Four versions, two in rose gold and two in stainless steel, were presented at the SIHH 2019 – and judging by the positive reactions so far, this size might well become a regular member of the Royal Oak Chronograph family.

7 years ago