Hands-On: The Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Now With White And Black Dials
It’s back to basics for Rolex’s simplest watch.
Must Read – Richemont “Destroys” More than EUR 450m of Unsold Watches in Two Years
It is no breaking news to say that the industry had to face difficult times in 2015 and 2016. Business had been tough due to decreasing sales. The Richemont Group – the luxury powerhouse that owns Cartier, IWC, Montblanc or JLC – had also been affected by this situation – as reported by MONOCHROME here. Part of Richemont’s plan to help cleaning the situation was a massive buyback strategy, thus reducing stocks at retailers. What was unknown was the total amount of watches bought back by the group… Well, according to The Guardian, we’re talking about approximately half a billion Euro/Dollar.
Breaking News – Baselworld, the world’s largest watch and jewellery fair, appoints a new Managing Director, Michel Loris-Melikoff
The man tasked with reshaping Baselworld to meet the current challenges is a 53-old lawyer who started his career in Private Banking. He was previously in function with MHC group (the company organizing Baselworld) in Lausanne. The longstanding Managing Director of Baselworld, Sylvie Ritter, has decided to step down from her position at the MCH Group after 15 years in the position. The transfer of management will take place on 1 July 2018.
Hands-on – Ulysse Nardin Freak Out – The UN Freak Concept More Affordable Than Ever
It all started in the early 1980s with the encounter of Rolf W. Schnyder, a visionary businessman and Ludwig Oeschlin, a brilliant horologist. The two men turned Ulysse Nardin, a century-old manufacturer into one of the most innovative watch brands around. The most striking development brought to life by the duo is, without a doubt, the Freak (2001). This legendary timepiece was powered by a revolutionary in-line movement pivoting on itself to indicate the time. It was regulated by the cutting-edge ‘dual direct escapement’. With the Freak, Ulysse Nardin not only became a silicon pioneer (as such it is a true game-changer in the watch industry) but developed a concept like no other regarding design, display and technology.
HANDS-ON: The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph
Let’s be real here. Ever since we saw the new Laureato last year, we knew the chronograph version was inevitable. After all, what’s a luxury sports watch without the option of the default sports complication? There’s no doubt that this good-looking sporty option is the brand’s commercial focus, so it makes sense that a veritable bevy of chronograph models was released at SIHH 2018. Offered in 38 or 42mm, in steel or pink gold, strap or bracelet, and a range of dials (including a real cool black with blue registers option), there might not quite be something for everyone, but you’re certainly spoiled for choice. I opted to look at what is perhaps the safest/most classic of the combos: 42mm, steel, blue dial on bracelet. Honestly, it’s a winning combination right out of the gate, but it’s the details that make it. Let’s kick off with the dial, the hobnail texture is familiar and looks good. There’s contrast thanks to the circular grain on the chrono registers, as well as the brighter blue hands and indices, which really go full-on electric in the right light. I’m sure the date at four will grind the gears of some reading this, but…
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EDITOR’S PICK: 8 ways to let your significant other know you’re spending more money than is sensible on *another* watch
Editor’s note: It’s getting close to end of financial year here in Australia, a time when, traditionally, watch lovers start counting their fiscal chickens before they’re hatched, and allocating that spend to the less essential things in life … like watches. Now, in a shock twist that I’m sure you’re all pretty familiar with, it turns out significant others don’t *always* see the fiscal sense in dropping serious coin on yet another watch that is, let’s face it, pretty much exactly the same as all the others you own. Andy Green has taken on the dangerous task of evaluating eight common strategies for spousal approval. Be warned though, results may vary. The reality is that watches are luxury goods, so the ‘need’ to buy them rarely occurs. That means, for most, they naturally fall very low (some say too low) on life’s list of priorities, and most definitely do not outrank things like kids, mortgages and school fees. And unless your partner shares your passion, I’d gamble and say they don’t think that your wrist darlings are as important as you think they are. So, the perennially thorny question is: “How do I buy this watch with my partner’s blessing?”…
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Editorial: The Five Coolest Things I Learned About Watches From The HODINKEE Magazine
There’s plenty of can’t-miss content for watch lovers in Volume 2.
Hands-On: The Voutilainen Manfredi 30th Anniversary Watch
A unique take on Kari’s new complication from the folks who know him better than almost anyone.
Hands-on – MeisterSinger Lunascope – The Single-Hand Watch goes “Astronomical”
MeisterSinger, the German brand famed for pioneering the single-hand watch trend, has just introduced its first astronomical watch – the Lunarscope. Occupying the top half of the dial is an oversized moonphase display, set against a dark blue, starry background. It’s a direct contradiction to the brand’s usual minimalist aesthetic but surprisingly, it actually works pretty well. We spent some time getting hands-on with the new model, here are our thoughts.
Hands-On: The HYT H0 In Black And Blue
Hydromechanical horology, reduced to its essentials.