In The Shop – Vintage Watches: A 1940s Rolex King-Of-Wings, A 1960s Universal Genève Space-Compax, And A 1960s Zodiac Sea Wolf With Full Set
A diverse selection of mid-century classics.
News – It’s a wrap, that was Baselworld 2018
Last week on Tuesday afternoon the MONOCHROME team arrived in Basel and, as per usual, we came from various directions. Brice drove all the way from Tours, France, to Switzerland and picked up Xavier in Neuchatel on the way to Basel. Rebecca took a flight from Spain and Roberta flew in from the US to …
HANDS-ON: The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight, with thinner, smaller case and brand-new movement
Tudor have added another – smaller – member to the Black Bay family at Baselworld 2018. It’s inspired by the “Big Crown” (reference 7924) Submariner, and named after the year it was released. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight faithfully re-creates the smaller case size of the 7924, complete with oversized crown and introducing a brand-new calibre into the Tudor collection. Vital statistics This is the first time we’ve seen the original Black Bay design downsized. The case of the Black Bay Fifty-Eight measures a very friendly 39mm across. However, the real story is how much slimmer it now is – at just under 12mm, as opposed to almost 15mm for the 41mm model. It’s also now powered by a brand-new Tudor manufacture movement, the calibre MT5402. With its smaller dimensions allowing for the diminished case size, while still maintaining a power reserve of 70 hours, a silicon balance spring, and COSC accuracy. There’s also a familiar gilt dial – sans the date – which matches the unidirectional bezel, with gilded markings and numerals. The crown has been reworked, with the familiar Tudor rose now embossed and the crown tube now satin-brushed in steel. On the wrist It’s not so much the smaller diameter that is…
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Hands-On: The Certina DS PH200M
A faithful reproduction of a legendary diver (that we can’t get in the States).
First Look – Zenith Defy Classic – Smaller, More Affordable, Still Bold
In 2017, Zenith relaunched the DEFY collection and impressed with the Defy El Primero 21, a hundredth-of-a-second chronograph with a 50Hz ultra-high-beat escapement dedicated only to the chrono. But that was not all. Later that year came the Defy LAB, with its revolutionary and unprecedented oscillator – a proper innovation. And finally, there was the new design, with integrated case and bracelet, large diameter and bold shapes. For Baselworld 2018, the design is kept but with more simplicity movement-wise – but not that simple either. Meet the Zenith Defy Classic.
Editors’ Picks: The Best Everyday Watches Of Baselworld 2018
These are the pieces you just won’t be able to stop wearing.
Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Weekend Classes In St. Louis
This next round will be hosted by Monta Watch.
First Look – AkriviA “Rexhep Rexhepi” Chronomètre Contemporain, The New Face of Tradition
Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the most talented watchmakers in the industry. The founder of AkriviA is often presented as the future of independent watchmaking. There are probably no better ways to understand AkriviA than to pay a visit to the brand’s Atelier in Geneva old town. There you’ll discover a handful of detail-obsessed watchmakers bent over their bench, magnifying glass screwed to the eye, working with a set of ancient machine and tools, using century-old gestures. AkriviA watches are impeccable, handmade like in the old days, elevating the watchmaking art to the highest level. But do not be mistaken, the time has not stopped there. The faces of these skilled craftspeople are surprisingly young. AkriviA watches are modern creations infused by fresh, dynamic and passionate watchmaking minds…
Baselworld 2018 – Delma Shell Star Black Tag Limited Edition
Delma is a family-owned company whose origins go as far back as in 1924 when the Gilomen brothers founded their own company in Lengnau, near Biel. In the fifties and sixties, the diving needs, coupled with the growing popularity of Scuba diving, made the importance of robust and trustworthy underwater instruments paramount. This led to the development of the first dive watches. In 1969, Delma introduced the Periscope, its first timepiece with greater water-resistance. A few years later, in 1975, the brand issued its premier professional diver, the Shell Star. For Baselworld 2018, this watch makes a comeback.
VIDEO: 8 of the best Omega watches from Basel 2018
Omega is a real powerhouse brand, with a product catalogue that’s both broad and deep, and their Basel 2018 catalogue is no exception. This year they showed a fairly diverse mix of watches, from the elegant ladies Trésor, to a range of Olympic commemorative editions and a Speedy or two. The main focus, though, is the Seamaster. There was a lovely duo of heritage-inspired models, but really, the critical and commercial heart of their lineup is the revamped Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, better known as the SMP. It’s a model that found renown on the wrist of Brosnan’s Bond, and won hearts and minds thanks to its distinctive look and rock-solid build quality. This 2018 version boasts a host of small, but significant, changes. There’s a size and movement upgrade (including the first ever clear caseback for the model), ceramic bezels and dials, as well as the return of the classic wave pattern. All this makes the SMP an even more compelling proposition.
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