Results for De Bethune

The Journey To Diving In Tudor’s New Black Pelagos FXD

Earlier this year, in the middle of our Windup Watch Fair in Chicago, Benrus put together a dive trip in the cold waters of Lake Michigan in celebration of their Ultra-Deep dive watch. You can see my photo report from the morning expedition right here. While diving has always been on my periphery, a side effect of writing about scores of dive watches over the years, I had never truly confronted the idea of getting dive certified myself until the experience of seeing those divers, many of them friends, take their turns stepping off the boat and into the depths. So, not long after returning back to New York, I scheduled time to get my open water dive certification through NAUI instructors. The only decision left was which watch I’d use during the process.  I’ll confess, the final kick to get certified came upon learning of a dive trip that was being planned by Tudor, something off the coast of Florida in the Gulf, potentially around a new watch release (which of course ended up being the case). With that knowledge in mind, it felt appropriate to complete my training with a Tudor Pelagos FXD on one wrist, and the Apple Watch Ultra on the other. The idea of putting these things to use in such a manner was half the excitement, allowing me the opportunity to experience them as intended, and creating an additional layer of context within which I could assess them as tools. And not just the Tudor, but all of my divers.  Having access to more seasoned divers during this proce...

The Tudor Pelagos FXD In Black Pays Tribute To U.S. Navy-Issued Watches

Tudor introduces a new black dial version of their mil-spec Tudor Pelagos FXD. Check out pricing, photos, model history, and more.

Zenith Adds a Black Dial to the Chronomaster Original Family

It is perhaps a reflection of all the good work Zenith has done over the last few years that a new variant of the Chronomaster Original can arrive and it feels like a watch that has simply existed for years. The El Primero 3600 powered line of vintage influenced chronographs feel timeless in a way that only a small handful of watches can – those few that have been around for decades and gone through only incremental changes. Under the hood, the Chronomaster Original is about as tech forward as you can get when it comes to mass market chronos from a heritage Swiss brand, with its impressive 1/10th second counter. But the dial, on this new version, does the neat trick of creating something brand new to the line that seems both obvious and every bit as classic as the “original” Original.  When we think of the Chronomaster Original, it’s the tri-colored subdial arrangement that immediately comes to mind for most. That is the design characteristic of the dial that feels most essential. You could be forgiven for asking yourself the question: did this ever come in black? The answer, until now (and for this case size) was “no,” but here Zenith has unveiled a new Chronomaster Original that substitutes the cream white backdrop of the earlier version of the watch for a simple black. White and black as options are so ubiquitous in this segment that it’s genuinely surprising this watch was only just introduced as a secondary option. Zenith, of course, already makes this ...

Audemars Piguet Partners Up with 1017 ALYX 9SM to Design Five New References, Including a Pièce Unique Royal Oak Chronograph

Industry news: Over GBP 1 billon of luxury watches are reported to be stolen or missing

News from a global crime prevention database has recorded over 80,000 watches which are reported stolen in their database, worth over GBP 1 billion.

Nomos × Revolution Tangente Neomatik 41 Update ‘Resilience’: An Ode To Resilience | Revo Talks

Join Wei & Constant as they discuss the inspiration behind our latest collaboration with NOMOS Glashutte - the Nomos × Revolution Tangente neomatik 41 Update ‘Resilience’. Housed in a 40.5mm stainless steel case, the Nomos × Revolution Tangente neomatik 41 Update ‘Resilience’ features the Fibonacci sequence subtly integrated into its minute track. It is powered […]

King Seiko Turns to the Geometry of the Chrysanthemum

Seiko has unveiled a limited-edition iteration of its vintage-inspired timepiece, the King Seiko. The King Seiko SJE095 features a textured dial adorned with a uniquely Japanese motif-a geometric pattern known as kiku tsunagi-mon inspired by the chrysanthemum flower. Save for the patterned dial, the limited edition maintains the compact case profile found in the King Seiko SJE089 and SJE091 was earlier this year.  Initial thoughts While the latest King Seiko models have a notably streamlined case, the stylistic resemblance to the original from 1965 bordered on being a vintage remake. Fortunately, Seiko has decided to create a standout iteration (albeit a limited edition) that, as is often the case with Seiko and Grand Seiko, pays homage to Japanese culture in the dial decoration. The highlight is the intricate geometric pattern on the dial. Besides evoking traditional Japanese cut-glassware, the engraving possesses a degree of elegance, while upholding a sense of balance in the dial. The balance could have been improved if the date window were absent, allowing the engraving to run uninterrupted across the dial.  This limited edition carries a price of US$3,400, just US$100 more than the standard King Seiko. The small difference makes this a no-brainer over the regular production model, though it can be argued this is somewhat pricey in absolute terms for a mid-range Seiko model. Rooted in tradition This limited edition draws substantial inspiration from the chrysanthe...

In-Depth: Copying, Creativity, And Copyright: Are We Ready To Call Watches Art?

The thin line between inspiration and imitation.

Introducing: For Owners Only – Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 S/T

Get the car, get the watch.

Ulysse Nardin Review: A Complete Guide to the King of Marine Chronomet

Since its founding in 1846, Ulysse Nardin has long been regarded as the standard bearer of nautical timekeeping, a historic watchmaking maison whose very name conjures up romantic images of seagoing adventure and oceanic exploration. However, here in the 21st century, Ulysse Nardin is also known in watch connoisseur circles as one of the most technically innovative and boldly experimental watchmakers on the scene, beginning with the bombshell introduction of the Freak in 2001. How did this intriguing brand achieve both these distinctions and how does it continue to pile up accolades in the modern era? Read on for a complete guide to the history, evolution, and diverse timepiece portfolio of today’s Ulysse Nardin. Foundations in Chronometry Like many inhabitants of Switzerland’s Jura Mountain region in the 18th and 19th centuries, Léonard-Frédéric Nardin took up the trade of watchmaking largely out of economic necessity, to supplement his family’s farming income during the cold, snowbound winter months. He passed that horological savoir faire on to his son, Ulysse, who proved to be an apt pupil and honed his own horological skills further under the tutelage of two of the region’s most talented and revered watchmakers, Frederic-William Dubois and Louis JeanRichard-dit-Bressel. In 1846, at the young age of 23, Ulysse Nardin (above) established his own watchmaking workshop in his hometown of Le Locle, where the eponymous company is still headquartered today. Ulysse ...

One To Watch: Hervé Schlüchter's 'Tree of Life' Project Uses The Purest Watchmaking To Imagine Time Across Generations

With decades of experience, and tutelage from one of the best, Schlüchter just announced his first of a line of creative and emotional watches covering past, present, and future.

Auctions: A Chance To Buy An Original 'Polar Explorer' That Helped Guide Ernest Shackleton

Ernest Shackleton's 1907 Nimrod expedition fell short of the South Pole, but this timepiece has survived the ages.

Zodiac Adds a White Ceramic Super Sea Wolf to the Collection in Three Bold Colorways

At the end of last year, Zodiac introduced a new ceramic version of their popular Super Sea Wolf dive watch. The stealthy black diver put a new, contemporary spin on a platform that’s existed for almost as long as dive watches themselves, and felt like a natural evolution of the Sea Wolf line. After all, plenty of brands are using ceramic these days – it’s a worthy material by any measure and makes a lot of sense for sports watches in particular, given its light weight and resistance to scratches and wear. Now, Zodiac has introduced a follow up, a ceramic Super Sea Wolf in a crisp white with brightly colored dials, just in time for the true dog days of summer.  These watches play into a tried and true formula that has served Zodiac remarkably well over the last years, which is to lean into bold colors layered over their classic dive watch design. The new white ceramic watches will be available in three variants: dark blue, lime green, and a silver and orange watch that feels like a nod to their popular “Sherbet” GMT from a few years ago. All of the dials have a subtle sunburst finish and the traditional rectangular hands and hour markers that are common to the Super Sea Wolf line. The case construction is the same as last year’s black ceramic model, which means these watches have what is essentially a ceramic shell that is fit over a steel core. The white color of the case and bezel makes for a great complement to the bold dial colors and accents, and immediat...

CronotempVs & TAG Heuer Collaborate To Celebrate 60 Years of the Carrera With New Carrera CC

The collectors group known as CronotempVs has revealed their latest project, and it’s with none other than TAG Heuer in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the famed Carrera chronograph. The open collaboration done with the collector community uses the modern 42mm Carrera case, and dials in plenty of special details in the process on the dial and the movement. The watch is called the Carrera CC (CronotempVs Collectors), and it takes inspiration from the 1974 Carrera ref. 1153BN, aka the ‘Yachting’ so named for the orange segments within the minute totalizer.  CronotempVs and TAG Heuer have created a fitting modern tribute to the 1153BN with the Carrera CC, incorporating the same character of the original in the modern Carrera chassis. This is not the 39mm ‘glassbox’ template that we were quite fond of when we saw it in Geneva (and are currently working on our long term review), but it does bring the caliber TH20-00 into the equation via the modern Carrera case we’ve come to know and (maybe) love. This platform  captures a specific fan favorite reference and highlights its versatility, as well as the timelessness of the design language as a whole. The original 1153BN was presented in a cushion case, with a dark blue dial and orange accents, and these are the starting blocks of the Carrera CC. The contrasting chapter ring and orange accents have been put to use brilliantly here, at once honoring the original while taking it into a new direction altogether....

In-Depth: The New MoonSwatch 'Strawberry Moon' (With Special Moonshine Gold Hand) Proves The Madness Isn't Over Yet

Yesterday saw the launch of the strawberry-laden bioceramic chronograph, and last month it was floral. The madness is only heating up.

Determined Geneve is the new microbrand bringing the spirit of independent watchmaking to a wider audience

A Guide to F.P. Journe Part I: Tourbillon Souverain

Recommended Reading: Lawsuit Alleges Man Spent $220,000 For The Chance To Buy A Patek Philippe That He Never Got

He wanted a 5980/1R; they got a lawsuit instead.

Gift Guide: Hodinkee Father’s Day Gift Guide

For the outdoorsy and adventurous dad.

Norqain Adds a Limited Edition Freedom 60 Chrono in Ice Blue to their Lineup

The latest release from Norqain capitalizes on a recent color trend while steering the brand back from the tech forward, ultra sporty Wild One that has been the brand’s primary focus since late last year. The Freedom 60 Chrono Ice Blue Limited Edition, in a 40mm case size, sits on the opposite end of the spectrum of Norqain’s increasingly varied catalog, which now includes watches made with unusual proprietary materials and an increasing stock of limited editions. The Freedom 60 Chrono takes a more vintage inspired approach, but this version has been given a super sleek colorway that is quite contemporary.  The Freedom 60 Chrono seen here has an ice blue dial with a subtle sunray effect, and is dotted with three black subdials providing readouts for elapsed minutes, hours, and running seconds. The dial has a two layer construction with the subdials sitting below the main dial for added depth, and a matching black outer ring with a white tachymeter scale for contrast. The hour markers are diamond cut and rhodium plated, and have small old radium colored lume tips at their inside edge. The date window at 4:30 is color matched to the ice blue dial, and in these photographs appears to be very well executed, proving that it is, in fact, possible to deliver a three register layout and 4:30 date window without completely fumbling the bag.  The secret weapon here is really the case. The 40mm incarnation of the Freedom 60 case is dramatically more wearable and in proportion t...

Happenings: Dr. Paul Lawrie To Lecture At The Horological Society Of New York

The Professor of History at York University will examine the remarkable life of Peter J. Huffstead, Harlem's self-described "master clockmaker."

Reference Points: A Comprehensive Collector's Guide To The Rolex Explorer I

Mapping the ascent of Rolex's go-anywhere watch.

Vintage Watches: A Guide To Collecting The Patek Philippe 5970 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

The "last of the Lemanias" remains the king of contemporary Patek complicated collecting over a decade removed from its discontinuation.

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Denver

These next classes will be hosted by Norqain and Ben Bridge Jeweler.

Introducing: Grand Seiko's Latest Diver – The Evolution 9 5-Day Diver 'Ushio' SLGA023 (Live Pics)

Ride the tide with the brand's latest Spring Drive diver.