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Found: Scott Carpenter's Breitling Cosmonaute - The First Swiss Wristwatch Worn in Space
Here's the full story of where it's been. And a peek at a new limited-edition tribute to the original.
31,694 articles · 175 videos found · page 780 of 1063
Hodinkee
Here's the full story of where it's been. And a peek at a new limited-edition tribute to the original.
SJX Watches
One of the watches synonymous with the pioneer era of spaceflight is the Breitling Cosmonaute, which was worn by Scott Carpenter on the 1962 Mercury-Atlas 7 mission, making him the second American to orbit the Earth and the Cosmonaute the first Swiss-made wristwatch to make it into space. The Cosmonaute has been part of the Breitling catalogue in various forms in the decades since, but now for the 60th anniversary of Carpenter’s journey to space on board the Aurora 7 spacecraft, Breitling has unveiled a remake, the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Limited Edition. The 362-piece edition is faithful to the original in terms of design, but upgraded with the in-house Caliber B02 and a bit of luxe in the form of a platinum bezel. A page from the 1964 Breitling catalogue showing the Navitimer-Cosmonaute ref. 809, the same model worn by Carpenter in space Initial thoughts I’ve always liked the distinctive aesthetic of the Navitimer – it is actually an aviation instrument – and the Cosmonaute is essentially a more complex version of the same thing, making it even more of an instrument. Granted all of that functionality has very limited use in the modern world, but it is still an appealing watch that possesses significant history. That in turn makes the Cosmonaute remake an appealing watch, especially since Breitling did a good job reproducing the original. The diameter remains the same but the modern-day version is necessarily thicker due to the in-house B02 movemen...
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.
Time+Tide
If you have been tuned into the watch world of late, the name Patrick Getreide must ring a bell. His unveiling of the OAK Collection, and its subsequent exhibition, has caught the eyes of enthusiasts and collectors around the world – most of whom have been itching to get a closer look at his pieces. … ContinuedThe post Ten things I learned from super-collector Patrick Getreide – the man behind the OAK Collection appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
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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...
Deployant
Vacheron Constantin has had a blast at Watches & Wonder 2022, releasing a whole gamut of watches that reminds us why the luxury Swiss watchmaking Maison is known as the “grand dame of watchmaking”. From complicated and artistically stunning Les Cabinotiers pieces, to the faithful reissue of the legendary Ref. 222 sports watch that’s beenRead More
Hodinkee
Chime softly and carry a big tourbillon.
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Microbrand releases can often be just an eclectic mix of design trends thrown together, or a wild attempt at doing something different without considering what people actually want. The Biotic Formicidae is a rare example of an original watch design that has a clear aesthetic vision without second-hand trend-hopping, and of all things, it takes … ContinuedThe post MICRO-MONDAYS: The Biotic Formicidae delivers an original field watch inspired by (wait for it…) ants! appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Quill & Pad
Watch Femme aims to promote inclusivity in watches, amplify women’s voices in the watch world, highlight female contributions to it, and help create many more career opportunities for women. Elizabeth Doerr takes a closer look at this new movement and its founders' opinions.
Time+Tide
EDITOR’S PICK: I recently streamed Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen that delivered a welcome return to the director’s gangster comedy roots. Amid a stellar cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam and Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant puts in a scene-stealing display as a cockney-accented private investigator. But I was distracted less by his beard than what Grant had on his … ContinuedThe post EDITOR’S PICK: From Panerai to Piaget, Hugh Grant’s watches are a whole lot more alpha-male than you’d think appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Welcome to The Icons, a new series where we take a horological deep dive into the most legendary watches of all time. We’ll delve into the story behind the watch, its evolution over the years, famous (and infamous) wearers, the classic references, and the contemporary versions you should be checking out. This week it’s the … ContinuedThe post How the Patek Philippe Nautilus became the ultimate flex watch appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
Seiko Prospex SPB301 is the latest addition to the popular diver's line, now with an attractive blue bezel and white dial colorway.
Time+Tide
The Big Bang Integral seems to exist as a masterclass of materials and design for Hublot, with the brutish yet refined case shape meeting the integrated blocky bracelet to show off as much of their coloured ceramic as possible. Adding to their wide array of available colours come these new versions in an army olive … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: The Hublot Big Bang Integral Ceramic collection appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Between the struggle to get hold of new pieces and the deranged prizes for pre-owned prices, it’s easy to hate on Rolex. For the sake of emotional self-preservation alone, it can be easier to turn your back on the brand, muttering about confected scarcity or overcooked hype. The inconvenient truth is that Rolex … ContinuedThe post EDITOR’S PICK: I did not want to like the vintage Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master ref. 1675. It had other plans. appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Having recently launched the second of its models designed by Takashi Murakami, Hublot returns with a collaboration with an another artist, British fashion designer Samuel Ross. The result is the Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross, a watch that is very different from the rest of the lineup, thanks to the open-worked honeycomb pattern applied across the watch. Initial thoughts The design of the Samuel Ross is unexpected and most notable for being a significant evolution of the Big Bang. While Hublot’s signature model was criticised in the past for being too reminiscent of a Royal Oak, the Samuel Ross is its own watch. It’s no doubt an acquired taste, but it is different. But for anyone who likes big, bold watches that are complicated – and look the part – this is mission accomplished. The extensive use of the honeycomb grid as well as orange rubber give it an aggressive look that sets it apart from other Big Bang Tourbillons. The bezel, for instance, isn’t the usual round affair but is instead an elongated octagon. More prominent is the extension of the honeycomb grid to the edge of the case, leaving the orange rubber to trace the outline of case, evoking a watch worn on a “Bund” strap, which enhances the sporty appearance. It’s through limited editions like the Samuel Ross that demonstrates ones of its key strengths, it versatile manufacturing prowess. The brand’s in-house expertise in engineering and production means an ability to make a great variety of ...
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The OAK Collection exhibition - 'One of A Kind' - 168 'best of the best' vintage and contemporary watches. A must visit for all watch enthusiasts.
SJX Watches
For me, watches are and always have been about people – those that make them, those that design them, and those that buy them. And while many of you reading this will do your utmost (likely on a daily basis) to keep your interest in watches in check with your bank balance, every so often you meet a collector, an enthusiast, who takes things to a whole other level. Somebody who has gone all in, a collector who takes it to a level that even insiders like Thierry Stern of Patek Philippe rank them amongst the greatest collectors of all time. Patrick Getreide is that individual. Having spent the past four decades quietly building one of the world’s greatest privately-owned collections of wrist and pocket watches, he has now put all of his timepieces on show for the world to enjoy and admire. The show I feel hugely privileged and excited having visited the exhibition on its opening day in London. Privileged because there were only a few press invited; excited because I believe it will open up our passion to more and more, aligning watchmaking with art, where it belongs. The exhibition comprises 168 best-of-the-best vintage and contemporary museum-quality watches, among which are unrepeatable special orders, ultra-rare, limited editions, the most valuable examples of their type, and the largest number of Patek Philippe pieces once owned by the celebrated American collector Henry Graves Jr. now in private hands. It is also the first curated exhibition of a private collection ...
Time+Tide
Easily the most underappreciated of the four classic Nomos designs, the Tetra is a rarity among modern watches. While there are plenty of rectangles and stylised, rounded-off squares, the Bauhaus approach that Nomos is so known for has influenced the Tetra in a big way, albeit with a few subtle design touches – more on those … ContinuedThe post A quartet of Nomos Tetra neomatik celebrates 175 years of Glashütte watchmaking appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Hodinkee
Ready for summer, these sporty models offer a range of features and designs.
Until five years ago, the Rado Captain Cook was a largely forgotten watch. This handsome skin diver with a rotating bezel was in circulation from 1962 to 1972, before Rado moved onto fresh horological pastures and began establishing its reputation in the world of high-tech ceramics. But then in 2017, the brand surprised the watch … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: The evolution of the Rado Captain Cook continues with more high-tech ceramic models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
For a deep dive into Grand Seiko’s evolution and philosophy, click here.
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You’ve just replied to an Instagram message praising how beautiful your new watch is, after snapping a wrist shot tagged #NWA. Slipping your phone back into your pocket, you rest your arms on your lap, continuing to trundle along on the train ride home. While the wrist shot took a bit of thought and planning, … ContinuedThe post Buyer beware! Why your iPhone could harm your precious watch appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
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Ever since I had heard they were opening a new space, I was itching to see the new AP House in New York City. It is not open to the public just yet, but I was invited to swing by to get an early taste of the Audemars Piguet space. To just visit and get … ContinuedThe post Mark Ronson told me the story behind his go-to Royal Oak before christening AP House with new single “Too Much” appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Hodinkee
Steel, and gold, and everything vintage.
Quill & Pad
A very special new exhibition opens this week at London’s Design Museum: the OAK Collection (“OAK” stands for “one of a kind”). This exhibition comprises unique and ultra-rare museum-quality timepieces that have been amassed by a single collector over the last 40 years, including the largest number of Patek Philippe timepieces once owned by Henry Graves, Jr. But that is not all.
“Grand Seiko was born in 1960 and for about 50 years it was just limited exclusively to the Japanese domestic market,” explains Seiko President Akio Naito in this video. “Then we decided to go into the global market in 2010, and then we decided to make Grand Seiko an independent brand in 2017.” Grand Seiko has … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: Seiko President reveals the origin story behind the Grand Seiko Kodo Constant Force Tourbillon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
When you think about it, straps are really half the game when it comes to watches. These precious metallic objects that keep time and reflect our tastes are also objects that live – sometimes for many hours at a time – on our wrist. And so straps really are a significant part of that equation and … ContinuedThe post Exploring some of the best rubber strap alternatives to a metal bracelet appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Editor’s note: One of the more interesting Instagram accounts I’ve followed is @adpatina, dedicated to sourcing (and selling) vintage watch ads. Clearly, I am not alone, as Ad Patina has graduated from Instagram and is now a fully fledged site and store. So, if you ever wanted to know what makes a good watch ad, … ContinuedThe post EDITOR’S PICK: 6 of the best vintage watch ads, according to @adpatina appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Although Jaeger-LeCoultre has launched about a dozen new wristwatch models to date in 2022, the standout new timepieces from the Le Sentier manufacture are a pair of clocks that share the same aesthetic. One is the very expensive Atmos Hybris Mechanica Calibre 590, and the other is the far more affordable Atmos Infinite. Most Atmos clocks are defined by their boxy exterior and classical dial, with the notable exceptions being those designed by collaborations like Apple designer Marc Newson and Hermes. Reminiscent of Mr Newson’s Atmos designs, the Infinite features a clean, monochromatic movement in a seamless glass cylinder, instantly setting it apart from the rest of the Atmos lineup. Initial thoughts Sitting alongside the Patek Philippe Dome Clock as an iconic timepiece in the clock category, the Atmos is one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s best products in concept and execution. It’s powered by a simple yet ingenious mechanism that’s so effective it remains unchanged after almost a century. And it is offered in a surprisingly wide range of designs, many of which are affordable, with the entry-level model starting at just over US$7,000. The Atmos Transparente, a more typical example of the clock with its four-sided glass box But most Atmos designs feel dated, being more or less unchanged since the 1950s. The exceptions were the limited editions by the likes of Mr Newson and Hermes, which were all much more expensive. The most recent Atmos Newson, for instance, retails for...
Quill & Pad
We are seeing more and more releases of vintage and prestige cuvees from the great champagne producers. Latest cab off the ranks is the 2014 La Grande Année from Bollinger (and the Rosé from the same year). Ken Gargett tackles questions about it including: where does 2014 rank? Is it a justifiable release? If so, what makes it so?
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