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Mondaine Stop2Go: Where Minimalism and Novelty Meet
Get all the info, photos, insights, and more on the Mondaine Stop2Go right here - pure novelty or high design? Why not both?
Results for Plasma High-Tech Ceramic
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Two Broke Watch Snobs
SJX Watches
Baltic Introduces the Aquascaphe Titanium
A French watchmaking startup founded in 2017 that successfully reimagined several well-known vintage designs, Baltic has just unveiled highest-spec dive watch to date – and arguably its most contemporary design. While still clearly vintage-inspired in terms of aesthetics, the Aquascaphe Titanium does better than its predecessor in terms of materials, construction, as well as water resistance. The result is a more substantial watch that’s pricier but still value minded. The bezel insert is brushed ceramic with luminous markings Initial thoughts For a brand that’s heavily reliant on vintage watches for insrpaiton, the Aquascaphe Titanium is a welcome departure from its other offerings. Granted it still retains a retro feel, but does so with materials that are decidedly modern, namely ceramic and titanium. On the subject of materials, one aspect that distinguishes the new Aquascaphe is the highly-domed sapphire crystal that calls to mind PlexiGlas found on vintage watches. Rarely found in modern dive watches at this price, most of which utilise flat crystals, the domed crystal results in slight visual distortion of the dial’s edges, which might not help legibility but certainly adds to the vintage feel. Another key detail that contributes to the appealing vintage styling is the all-brushed finish on both the case and bezel, along with the tasteful typography, which speak to the brand’s attention to detail. At the same time, the design that combines smart details w...
SJX Watches
Richard Mille Unveils the Thinnest Mechanical Watch Ever
Having signed Ferrari as a partner last year, Richard Mille was expected to debut a Ferrari wristwatch – and probably one with a seven-figure price tag. And so it has, although the watch itself is certainly a surprise. The first watch to result from the partnership is the RM UP-01 Ferrari, the thinnest mechanical watch ever at just 1.75 mm high, besting the previous record holder by 0.05 mm. Very wide and extremely flat, the RM UP-01 achieves that by relying on familiar principles in terms of mechanical deconstruction and reduction, but takes them slightly further to shave off the millimetres. Initial thoughts The last couple of years have seen the record for the thinnest mechanical watch change hands rapidly, with Piaget taking the title in 2018 with the AUC (that came to market in 2020), followed by Bulgari earlier this year with the Octo Finissimo Ultra. The Italian jeweller did not retain the crown for long because Richard Mille has just claimed the title with the RM UP-01 that stands 1.75 mm high, compared to 1.8 mm for the Bulgari. Tellingly, the approach taken by Richard Mille echoes that of Piaget and Bulgari, essentially deconstructing the movement and doing away with as many components as possible. As a result, the RM UP-01 has parallels with the former record holders, most obviously in the tiny time display as well as the deconstructed winding and setting mechanism that each require a key. That indicates that absolute thinness has more or less been achieved...
Hodinkee
Hands-On: Greubel Forsey Lets It All Hang Out In The New Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture
The high-end Swiss watchmaker has absolutely nothing to hide – and this new case design proves it.
Time+Tide
WHO TO FOLLOW: @wristwatch-revival is keeping the past alive
The vintage watch. A bogeyman to many a modern collector, it represents a mountain that seems too high to climb. Hard to find parts. Decades worth of damage. Frankenstein internals. Yet, even with all these potential pitfalls, vintage watches are still physical memories of our past. As such, whenever possible, they should be restored and … ContinuedThe post WHO TO FOLLOW: @wristwatch-revival is keeping the past alive appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Cliff diving with Mido in Paris, AP artwork and Greubel gorgeousness
Luke here – just popping into Zach’s Wind Down to tell you about a gravity-defying weekend in Paris with Mido. Twenty-seven metres doesn’t sound that high. But as I edged out onto the diving platform towering over the Seine, I felt a lurching sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. The platform was about … ContinuedThe post FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Cliff diving with Mido in Paris, AP artwork and Greubel gorgeousness appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey
It’s not often that a grey watch is released to fanfare, but given Hublot’s history of often colourful ceramic releases, it’s actually quite cool to see a reminder of what they can do with old fashioned metal. Although metal may be an unusually standard material for a limited-edition Hublot release, the Hublot Big Bang Unico … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Up Close: Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph
The latest offering in Montblanc’s high-end chronograph lineup is the 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph. In many ways it looks and feels like the Minerva chronographs that came before it. The case remains extra-large because of the pocket watch movement within and it still has a fluted bezel along with cathedral hands. But the Unveiled Secret is totally different from its predecessors, as its movement has been inverted in order to bring the most interesting bits to the front. That required some mechanical rearrangement to accomplish, but manages to realise the desire often expressed by collectors who want to wear a watch with the finely finished movement showcased on the dial. Initial thoughts Hand-wind chronographs have been a specialty of Montblanc, at least for its high-end models, since it acquired Minerva several years ago. Minerva came along with its stable of historical chronograph movements, all traditionally constructed in an elegant, delicate manner, albeit in a slightly anachronistic manner since the calibres mostly dated to the early-20th century. As a result, Montblanc can count several impressive chronographs in its collection, but the Unveiled Secret does it differently. Though the inversion trick has been done before by other hands, the Unveiled Secret is still a little more creative and a little more interesting. It relies on a simple trick: the hands are mounted on what is ordinarily the back of the movement, while the entire mo...
Time+Tide
VIDEO: The Cvstos Metropolitan PS Collection offers a fresh take on a luxury sportswatch
Cvstos don’t pop up on the radar of your average watch collector often, but the new collection of Cvstos Metropolitan PS watches is aiming to change that. The idea of a luxury microbrand isn’t all that crazy, and Cvstos aim to hone in on what customers really want from their avant-garde, high-end sports watches. The … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: The Cvstos Metropolitan PS Collection offers a fresh take on a luxury sportswatch appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: The Depancel Serie-A Allure is a handsome chronograph at an attractive price
To be honest, there’s no shortage of racing-inspired chronographs in the world. The inherent link between motorsports and watchmaking essentially guarantees that brands will leap on that theme for design, with elements of high-precision engineering and timing-based supremacy binding the two worlds together. So, with the popular genre so saturated, what do the young French … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The Depancel Serie-A Allure is a handsome chronograph at an attractive price appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Grand Seiko Introduces the 44GS 55th Anniversary Specially-Adjusted 9F Quartz
Long a leading player in the arena of high-end quartz watches, Grand Seiko’s flagship offering is the 9F quartz movement that is built with an attention to detail comparable to that of its mechanical calibres. Beyond the almost-artisanal production, 9F movements are all about accuracy – the standard movements are rated to within 10 seconds a year. Now Grand Seiko a limited edition equipped with a specially-adjusted 9F calibre, the Heritage Collection 44GS 55th Anniversary SBGP017 “Blue Clouds”. Signified by the star emblem on the dial, the movement within is regulated to run within five seconds a year – an average of less than a half second deviation a month. Initial thoughts Watches with colourful, textured dials are almost the norm at Grand Seiko, which has rolled out enough limited editions that such watches seem almost more common than their plain dial counterparts. The SBGP017 dial has a familiar texture, so at first glance it seems like yet another Grand Seiko limited edition. But a closer look reveals the fact that the SBGP017 is unusual. For one, it’s quartz. Grand Seiko quartz watches rarely have patterned dials and when they do, the dials typically have motifs made up of repeating symbols. In contrast, the abstract pattern found on the SBGP017 is similar to that found on Grand Seiko’s mechanical and Spring Drive models. Put another way, the SBGP017 is an atypical Grand Seiko limited edition because it’s quartz but has the aesthetic of a me...
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: The Grand Seiko SBGP017 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition
If Grand Seiko is known for one thing only (and they’re certainly not), it’s their breathtaking dials, and their latest limited edition pushes that tradition further skyward with the release of the high-precision, quartz-powered SBGP017 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition. This light blue-dialled beauty showcases the brand’s exquisite finishing work, with an ethereal, pillowy texture … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The Grand Seiko SBGP017 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Hodinkee
Deep, Deeper, Deepest: Record-Setting Dive Watches
A history of grace under (very high) pressure.
Quill & Pad
Danièla And Philippe Dufour: They Like It Complicated (Video)
The Watches TV presents a follow-up video of Danièla and Philippe Dufour, marking close to a year of the two working together. Philippe expresses his joy at working with his daughter, who is in a perfect position to achieve the high level of work that the master requires for his timepieces and carry on the family name.
Time+Tide
HANDS-ON: The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Civilisations
It’s easy to throw the phrase “museum quality” around when talking about haute horology timepieces, as a multitude of brands are capable of the high-art techniques required to earn that label. However, no matter how many time-consuming handmade techniques a brand perfects, only a brand like Vacheron Constantin are able to reproduce actual historical artworks … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Civilisations appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
VIDEO: These IWC and Top Gun pieces can be your wingmen anytime
IWC’s longstanding fascination with aviation is well established, with the releases from this year’s Watches and Wonders continuing this high-flying heritage. Of the five new additions to the Pilot’s collection, our focus today falls on the Top Gun co-branded pieces – the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Top Gun and IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: These IWC and Top Gun pieces can be your wingmen anytime appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
VIDEO: It’s never overcast with the new Hublot Big Bang Integral Sky Blue
Each day, when you step outside, it is always great start to a morning to look up and see a clear blue sky. As a master of materials, Hublot has captured that essence within their ceramic with this dreamy hue that’s adjacent to Tiffany blue. Sky blue is not a new hue for Hublot, but … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: It’s never overcast with the new Hublot Big Bang Integral Sky Blue appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Quill & Pad
Would You Buy A Watch From A Defunct Brand If The Price Was Right? Here’s What You Should Consider - Reprise
Let's be honest: nobody needs a high-end mechanical watch. That we want one is based on the different levels of how a particular watch appeals to our emotions. And in the heat of passion, we sometimes tend to forget that, as in any normal industry, companies sometimes cease to exist for a panoply of reasons. What should you consider if you would still like to own a watch made by a now-defunct brand? Martin Green has some answers.
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: Vacheron Constantin release 4 INSANE masterpieces in the Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Civilisations
Vacheron Constantin are one of very few watchmakers capable of creating a high-end watch instilled with so much craftsmanship and passion that it could easily belong in a museum upon release. The Métiers d’Art range is the pinnacle of what the storied brand are capable of, with fine art techniques incorporated into their construction and … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: Vacheron Constantin release 4 INSANE masterpieces in the Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Civilisations appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Highlights: A. Lange & Söhne Limited Editions at Phillips’ Hong Kong Auction
We covered the independents and complications at Phillips’ Hong Kong auction thats happens on May 27 and 28, so now we look at highlights from a recent crowd favourite: A. Lange & Söhne. Revered for its high-quality movements and impeccable quality, the modern-day brand has only been in operation since 1994 but has managed to build a diverse body of work. A good selection is on offer in the auction, ranging from the mega complications to the simple (albeit not particularly affordable today). Here we round up six limited edition Lange watches in the sale, including a pair of rare Lange 1s to the second-most-complicated Lange ever made, the Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite, along with a pair of Handwerkskunst editions. Bidder registration and the full catalogue for The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIVis available here. Lot 816: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Sincere edition Since its debut in 1994, the Lange 1 has become an icon of the brand that remains relevant today. After almost three decades, the concept of the watch and its design essence remain intact. Only few other watches have attained such cult status, putting the Lange 1 alongside timepieces like the Calatrava and Royal Oak. The present example is a limited edition of only 100 pieces produced in 2003 for Singaporean retailer Sincere. The dial is extremely unusual as it features two different guilloche patterns, instead of the typical smooth opaline finish found on most Lange 1 watches. Even other Lange 1 models...
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: It’s chime time with the Moser Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon
Maybe it’s just me, but recently there seems to be a common thread amongst high-end watchmakers. Multiple releases have come out making use of that much loved melodious complication, the minute repeater (I must admit, there is something very enjoyable about listening to time.) While some brands are just getting into this arena, others have … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: It’s chime time with the Moser Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has a few reasons to smile, including a new watch purchase
Elite athletes seem to be taking more and more interest in our little corner of the world. From LeBron James sporting the AP Black Panther Concept Watch, Liverpool teammates Jordan Henderson and Virgil Van Dyk visiting the AP manufacture to NFL legend Tom Brady taking a stake in HODINKEE, many high-profiles athletes are packing serious … ContinuedThe post Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has a few reasons to smile, including a new watch purchase appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Hodinkee
Auctions: A 1967 London Cartier Crash Just Became The Costliest Crash Ever (For Now)
How high can you go?
Time+Tide
VIDEO: Hands-on with the Grand Seiko SBGW283, SBGW285 and SBGE277
This past Watches & Wonders in Geneva, Grand Seiko dropped a ton of really cool novelties. There was the Evolution 9 chronographs and GMTs, the white lion high jewellery piece and, of course, the Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon. But that first wave of releases wasn’t enough for the Japanese manufacture. While not technically Watches and Wonders … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: Hands-on with the Grand Seiko SBGW283, SBGW285 and SBGE277 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Highlights: Independent Watchmaking at Phillips Geneva, with F.P. Journe, Daniel Roth, and Voutilainen
Phillips’ upcoming auction in Geneva is a 201-lot sale that comprises a myriad of rare and unusual timepieces. The selection of independent watchmaking at The Geneva Watch Auction: XV is particularly interesting, including several early and historically significant timepieces from high-profile brands. We round up five of the most notable watches, ranging from an F.P. Journe Resonance from the year of its launch, as well as early, unique pieces from Daniel Roth and Kari Voutilainen, a skeleton, double-face tourbillon and Decimal Repeater respectively. The Daniel Roth double-face tourbillon that is possibly unique thanks to the sapphire dials on both the front and back Granted, several of the watches we’re covering below will finish well into six figures. But even if you are not planning to bid, they are worth learning about. We provide a close look at rare watches that are rarely encountered. That said, there’s an eminently affordable example of excellent, honest independent watchmaking in the sale: the Habring² Erwin “Star”, the first-ever SJX Edition that was launched last year to 10th anniversary of this site. Though a handful have sold on the secondary market since – including one that sold on Loupe This for US$15,400 – this is the first example to go under the hammer at a major, international auction house. The Geneva Watch Auction: XV takes place at Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva, with the first session happening on May 7 and the second session on the day...
Deployant
New: Doxa Army Watches of Switzerland Edition
Doxa re-issues their rather rare and mytical watch known simply as "Army". This time in a ceramic case and in collaboration with Watches of Switzerland.
Time+Tide
INTRODUCING: The Hublot Classic Fusion 45mm Bronze Brown Limited Edition
As a materials expert, Hublot has done it all. Steel, titanium, carbon, proprietary precious alloys, and ceramic and sapphire in endless colourways. So, to say that there is now an opportunity to grab a watch from Hublot in an uncommon material may come as a bit of a surprise. But, the truth is Hublot does … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The Hublot Classic Fusion 45mm Bronze Brown Limited Edition appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
The new 36.5mm Grand Seiko SBGW289 has fans rejoicing at the possibilities beyond this kira-zuri cherry blossom limited edition
When a compact and classically dimensioned watch is debuted, a tiny-wrister bat signal is lit high in the sky for me to rush and cover it. Look, in journalism we have to remain objective, but this release hits home for me on a personal level and, based on your comments on social media, for many … ContinuedThe post The new 36.5mm Grand Seiko SBGW289 has fans rejoicing at the possibilities beyond this kira-zuri cherry blossom limited edition appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
IN-DEPTH: The Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection upgrades one of the best-priced field watches around
Even if you’ve only been into watches for a short amount of time, the chances are pretty high that you’ve heard about the Hamilton Khaki Field. With 100 years experience of making watches for the military, Hamilton certainly know how to make an attractive, capable field watch that can handle everything from survival situations to … ContinuedThe post IN-DEPTH: The Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection upgrades one of the best-priced field watches around appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
TAG Heuer Goes Big with Synthetic Diamonds
TAG Heuer is injecting advanced materials technology into what was the most affordable tourbillon-chronograph on the market, creating the Carrera Plasma Tourbillon Nanograph. The new watch makes liberal use of carbon in all its forms, most notably with a carbon-composite hairspring along with a dial and crown made entirely of synthetic diamond, reflecting chief executive Frederic Arnault’s interest in technology and industrial processes. Priced at the equivalent of US$375,000, the Plasma is the first luxury mechanical watch to utilise artificial, or lab-grown, diamonds. Initial thoughts TAG Heuer has developed a suite of cutting-edge technology unusual a brands in its price range, though the brand’s most significant innovation, the carbon-composite hairspring, has never really gotten the recognition it deserves. While extremely expensive and slated to be produced in tiny numbers – just a handful a year according to Mr Arnault – the Plasma will certain broadcast TAG Heuer’s accomplishments in innovation, as well as that of its in synthetic diamond suppliers. While lab-grown diamonds aren’t new, they have never before been used in high-end watch. As befits their unconventional status, the synthetic diamonds have been set in an abstract manner on the case, as opposed to typical gem setting. Combined with the synthetic diamond dial and crown, the result is a watch that is weird yet compelling. But more important than the decorative use of synthetic diamond is the...