Results for Co-Axial vs Swiss Lever Escapement

Review: C’est Bleu – The Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II in Blue

We take a look at the Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II, a watch created in collaboration with tattoo artist Maxime Buchi, now with a blue dial.

In-Depth: The Eerie Beauty Of The Apple Watch Solar Face, And The Anatomy Of Nightfall

Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

Retailer Spotlight: Fourtané Estate Jewelers In Carmel, CA, And Manfredi Jewels In Greenwich, CT

Small businesses have played an important role in fueling past economic recoveries.

The Low-Key Debut of the Coolest Recent IWC Big Pilot

Last month IWC premiered a limited edition that has all the qualities of a hit: a bestselling classic in an exotic material, made in a very small run – and also incorporating nerdy, collector-oriented details. Instead, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Black Carbon was debuted quietly, delivered to clients, and pretty much went unnoticed around the world. The first ever Big Pilot with a carbon fibre composite case, the Big Pilot Black Carbon has a black dial with grey hands and markings, replicating the colour of the composite case. It’s livened up by red accents on the power reserve indicator and seconds hand (and also the date disc, for a small number of special watches, more on that below). The famous “fish” More unusually, the Big Pilot Black Carbon has a “fish” crown – the oversized, onion-shaped winding crown has a stylised fish logo on its top. Despite being a seemingly trivial detail, the “fish” crown is dear to IWC enthusiasts, being a memorable element from IWC’s 20th century history – one many collectors regard as a golden age. From the 1950s until the mid-2000s, most water-resistant IWC watches featured a “fish” crown. The very first generation of the Big Pilot, the ref. 5002 introduced in 2002, featured a “fish” crown. Not long after, the “fish” crown was dispensed with in favour of a crown featuring the IWC “Probus Scafusia” emblem. This happened sometime in 2006, first with a “transitional” ref. 5002 that was equi...

Introducing: The Vacheron Constantin Égérie Moon Phase Jewelry

Did someone say diamonds?

Hands-On: A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase 25th ‘Anniversary’

Last year was the 25th anniversary of A. Lange & Söhne’s modern-day revival in 1994, also the debut year of the iconic Lange 1. For the occasion, ten limited edition Lange 1 models were unveiled over the course of the year. The line-up ranged from the basic to the ultra complicated, but one of the standouts was a model in the middle of the spectrum – the Grand Lange 1 Moonphase “25th Anniversary”. Introduced in 2003, the Grand Lange 1 was essentially an upsized Lange 1, with a larger but slightly thinner case – and the same L901.0 movement found in the standard Lange 1. The result was an awkward, cramped dial with overlapping displays that abandoned the orderly asymmetry of the classic Lange 1 dial. Nine years later, the Grand Lange 1 movement was redesigned to create the cal. L095.1, which accommodated all of the indications on a dial with the correct proportions. A moon phase was added to the movement the following year, which increased its thickness slightly. The 25th anniversary edition is a second generation Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase with a subtle, beautiful twist – and one of the most appealing models from the anniversary line-up. Anniversary livery Though large, the watch is notably flat, giving it an elegant profile on the wrist. With a height of 9.4 mm, the white gold case is still thinner than that of the basic Lange 1, despite having the additional moon phase complication. The tripartite case construction has a brushed middle between the polish...

Urwerk to Sell UR-111C Worn by Robert Downey Jr. for Charity

Synonymous with playing Iron Man in Disney’s The Avengers franchise, Robert Downey Jr. is also a fan of Urwerk, having worn several of its watches on screen. Having loaned an Urwerk UR-105 CT to Mr Downey to wear in Avengers: Endgame, the watchmaker then offered the watch up for a good cause, selling it at Phillips auctioneers last year for US$312,500. Proceeds from the sale went to Random Act Funding, a charity established by Mr Downey and his wife, Susan. Now another watch worn by Mr Downey is going under the hammer, once again to benefit Random Act Funding. The watch in question is the UR-111C Black that was worn by Mr Downey to the premieres of Avengers: Endgame in New York and Los Angeles last year. Robert Downey Jr. sporting the UR-111C. Photos – Urwerk Offered in like-new condition, the UR-111C is one of just 25 examples made and identical to the standard model save for one important detail: “RDJ” is engraved on the case place where the serial number would usually be. The watch is being sold in an online auction, with the bidding starting at 125,000 Swiss francs. Bids can be placed from now until 9:00 pm Swiss time on February 24. Only registered members of Urwerk Pre-Owned can bid on the watch, and registration can be done on Urwerkpreowned.com. For more information, please contact Urwerk social media manager Alex Rose.  

Face-Off: Seiko Credor Eichi II 7R14 vs. Grand Seiko Spring Drive 9R02

When it comes to finely-finished, time-only movements, the ultimate Seiko offerings are the Credor Eichi II and Grand Seiko Spring Drive 20th Anniversary. The Japanese equivalent of watches like the Akrivia Chronometre Contemporain and Philippe Dufour Simplicity, the pair are the work of the Micro Artist Studio and finished to the same magnificent level, broadly speaking. (The Grand Seiko 8 Day is of the same quality, but it is a much larger and more complex watch.) Because the movements, the 7R14 in the Eichi II and 9R02 in Grand Seiko SBGZ001 and SBGZ003, are fundamentally identical, comparing the finer details of the two – an enlightened, obsessive nitpicking – makes for some interesting conclusions. The 7R14 in the Eichi II (left) and the 9R02 of the Grand Seiko SBGZ001 The sampled are both finished examples that were purchased in stores, and not prototypes, so both are representative of their respective model and movement. Though both were made in the Seiko-Epson’s Micro Artist Studio, probably by the very same craftsmen, the Eichi II was produced in 2015, while the Grand Seiko SBGZ001 dates to 2019, which is the year of its launch, and is the property of Mark Cho, founder of menswear retailer The Armoury. Same but different Both movements share the same architecture and layout, with the key functional difference being the power reserve, in both duration and display. The Eichi II’s 7R14 has a single barrel and a 60-hour power reserve, indicated on a fan-sha...

Recommended Reading: Telling Time With A Traditional Clock Face May Be An Endangered Skill

Ok, boomer. But, like, what time is it?

Happenings: WatchTime And Windup Fairs Make For A Fun Watch Lover's Weekend In New York City

Three days of events, cocktails, and exhibitions for the horologically inclined.

Introducing: The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero C.01 x Collective

A new version of the El Primero, for a new kind of watch club.

Interview: 800 Years of Japanese Swords and the G-Shock

Acclaimed in ancient literature and collectible today, swords made by the Gassan school trace their lineage back centuries, as is only possible in Japan. The school originated some 800 years ago, dating back to the early Kamakura period, approximately the 13th century. It started at the base of Mount Gassan, the highest of a trio of sacred mountains in what is now Yamagata prefecture. Though the school became dormant sometime in the 16th century, it was revived sometime in the mid 1800s by a descendant of the Gassan family in Osaka. The revival was successful and the Gassan school made swords for several Japanese emperors in the 19th and 20th century. Six generations on, the Gassans continue their craft with Sadanobu Gassan, and his father, Sadatoshi, now based in the city of Sakurai in Nara prefecture, about six hours southwest of Tokyo. At Baselworld 2019, Casio announced its collaboration with Sadanobu Gassan to create the G-Shock MR-G “Gassan” MRG-G2000GA, which has key parts of the case and bracelet finished by Mr Gassan himself in his workshop. In essence, it links the Gassan family’s eight hundred centuries of tradition with the latest in Japanese timekeeping technology. We got in touch with Mr Gassan to discuss his work for G-Shock, and also the state of his ancient craft. The interview has been edited and condensed. The G-Shock MR-G “Gassan” MRG-G2000GA What made you want to continue in your family’s footsteps? At a young age, I witnessed my...

Introducing: The Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph Ref. 5930G For The Singapore Grand Exhibition

The contemporary complication gets a twist for the Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition in Singapore.

Introducing: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon

Because man doth not live by bread alone.

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic with Stone Dials

Fashion icon Gucci signals its continued commitment to the mechanical watch with automatic timepieces in its hugely successful watch line.

Call Collect: John Goldberger a.k.a. Auro Montanari

In conversation with author and all-round expert on fine wines, vintage Cartiers and Patek Philippes, Auro Montanari, better known as John Goldberger.

Bring a Loupe: A 1960s Jaeger-LeCoultre Futurematic, A 1970s Heuer Monaco Ref. 1133G, And A 1968 Omega Seamaster 300 Ref. 166.024 With Serious Military Provenance

Your weekly round-up of watches from around the 'net.

Dead Seconds Watches: Go Ahead and Jump

REVOLUTION looks at the current state of a cult complication, the dead seconds watch.

RECOMMENDED READING: This unique Vacheron Constantin Don Pancho is coming up for auction. The big question is, how much will it go for?

Vacheron Constantin is famous for its ability to create custom or one-off watches for clients (to learn more about their Les Cabinotiers department, click here). And given the brand’s exceptionally long history, it should come as no surprise that Vacheron Constantin has been making custom pieces for a long time indeed. Phillips is auctioning off … ContinuedThe post RECOMMENDED READING: This unique Vacheron Constantin Don Pancho is coming up for auction. The big question is, how much will it go for? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

In Conversation with: Stéphane Bianchi and Guy Sémon of TAG Heuer

Gucci G-Frame

Gucci presents a new watch collection featuring interchangeable straps that is proud to bear the “fashion watch” label.

In Conversation: Ron K the Paul Newman Daytona Collector

Revolution Awards 2018: Best Complication - Patek Philippe Nautilus  Perpetual  Calendar Ref. 5740/1G

Once again, the global editors of Revolution weigh in on the best timepieces of the year, as well as the personalities that shaped the watch industry.

Trésor Hunting with Omega and Kaia Gerber in Berlin

Omega launches its new Trésor Collection in style with a treasure hunt through the streets of Berlin. Revolution’s Sophie Furley joins the fun to discover more about the brand’s latest ladies’ line.

New Release: Casio’s first ‘5000 series’ G-Shock with full metal construction (with full tech specs and price)

For 2018, CASIO has released the GMW-B5000, the first watch in the 5000 series with full metal construction. The new timepiece’s outer components including its bracelet, case, and bezel have been rendered entirely in stainless steel.