Chronograph Watches · Page 38

MechaQuartz: The Hybrid Chronograph Movement Explained

Watches with mechaquartz movements are a small but quietly growing niche within the industry, particularly in the ambitious, creative, and extremely budget-conscious world of small independent watchmaking. Watchmakers have discovered that these “hybrid” movements, which offer quartz-level accuracy along with a dose of mechanical appeal, can often provide the opportunity to make chronograph watches that entice watch enthusiasts while still maintaining the affordable price points that keep their brands competitive. But what is a mechaquartz movement, exactly, and what watch brands are currently offering the most interesting examples of this technology? Read on. What is a MechaQuartz Movement? In a nutshell, mechaquartz (which various brands and other sources have also spelled mecaquartz, meca-quartz, or mecha-quartz) refers to a chronograph movement that combines a battery-powered quartz crystal oscillator for the main timekeeping (i.e., the hours, minutes, and running seconds) with a mechanical module for the stopwatch functions. The latter element ensures that the chronograph seconds hand sweeps smoothly over the dial, as in a fully automatic watch, rather than in short jumps, as it would operate in a fully quartz one, and that the seconds hand will snap back instantly to zero at the end of a time measurement.  A mecaquartz movement is often referred to as a hybrid movement, but it’s not a hybrid in the same technical sense as, say, Seiko’s Spring Drive calibers, ...

Omega Speedmaster White Dial Moonwatch Review

The Omega Speedmaster is a strange watch. Omega’s most iconic chronograph enjoys an enviable history that has made it a household name, and instantly recognizable to even the most casual of enthusiasts. It has aged gracefully, changing surprisingly little since its introduction in 1957, which has no doubt buoyed its status as a bona fide icon. Along with, you know, landing on the moon and all that. But digging just a little bit deeper than the Moonwatch Professional reveals a mother lode of Speedmaster references of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Getting a grasp on the full lineage of the Speedmaster is daunting, and it’s something that we plan on breaking down in layman's terms in the near future, but it’s important to understand how these older (and at times obscure) references inform Omega’s latest and greatest releases. Of course, I am talking about the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with a white dial. The newest Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, released earlier this year, is the first regular-production steel Moonwatch to receive a white dial. There have been plenty of other Speedmasters to feature a white dial - from recent limited-edition Snoopy references, to the famed Alaska Project watches that originated in 1969 (and were seen again in a reissue from 2008) - so it’s not an entirely new look for the Moonwatch. This new variation is a bit different and, to my eye, draws inspiration from a different reference in the back catalog: the so-called Albino ...

Interview: Kari Voutilianen on Urban Jürgensen and Artisanal Watchmaking

Urban Jürgensen made its comeback earlier this year with an impressive line-up that includes the flagship UJ-1 Tourbillon. Much of the credit for the brand’s watches and watchmaking goes to Kari Voutilainen. Mr Voutilainen has imbued Urban Jürgensen’s watches with the high standards of quality synonymous with his own brand, resulting in watches that are equally exquisitely craft and steeply priced, but arguably worth it. Though best known for his eponymous brand, Mr Voutilainen is also co-chief executive of Urban Jürgensen (and also a minority shareholder). His fellow steward of the Danish marque that is now headquartered in Bienne, Switzerland, is Alex Rosenfield. While Mr Voutilainen is in charge of watchmaking, Mr Rosenfield leads marketing and branding. From left: Kari Voutilainen, Andrew Rosenfield, and Alex Rosenfield. Image – Urban Jürgensen Given the opportunity to speak at length with Mr Voutilainen, I could not refuse. We discussed the true nature of artisanal work, ranging from movement decoration to guilloche, the details of Urban Jürgensen’s movements, and more. You can find his insightful answers below. But interestingly, my conversation with Mr Voutilainen reminded me of the first time I met him, which was at Baselworld 2006 when he launched the Masterpiece Chronograph (with a special hairspring from what turned out to be a questionable supplier). Even two decades ago, well before he was famous, Mr Voutilainen was passionate about the same thing...

Five Mistakes I Made While Collecting Omega Speedmasters (And How To Avoid Them)

I bought my first Omega Speedmaster Professional in 1999. This is also when my Speedy collecting officially began. During those 25 years of buying (and selling) Speedmaster watches, I made my fair share of mistakes. This was mainly because, back then, there wasn’t as much information available as there is today. But I also made […] Visit Five Mistakes I Made While Collecting Omega Speedmasters (And How To Avoid Them) to read the full article.

Does Storytelling Still Sell Watches In 2025?

The greatest watch story ever told is the story of the Omega Speedmaster, the first watch worn on the Moon. That’s a fact. Another fact is that luxury in general is not about selling products. Rather, it is about emotion. That certainly is the case with post-Quartz Crisis luxury watches. The key to successfully selling […] Visit Does Storytelling Still Sell Watches In 2025? to read the full article.

Introducing – The New Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition in Titanium

Back in 1972, Porsche Design introduced the Chronograph I, the first all-black watch inspired by Porsche cockpit gauges. By 1975, the design evolved into brushed stainless steel. This year, to mark the brand´s retail partnership with the Watches of Switzerland Group, the new Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition swaps steel for bare, […]

We’re Still Doing This, Apparently: the Mission to Earthphase Moonshine Gold is Revealed

There’s almost nothing you can say to convince me the latest MoonSwatch, the not so elegantly named Mission to Earthphase Moonshine Gold, is not the product of a ChatGPT prompt entered by a Swatch exec. Maybe it said “What should the next entry in our never ending profit squeezing machine that is the MoonSwatch collection be called?” I can imagine an artificial intelligence suggesting something as silly, and also reminding the good people at Swatch that blue, and gold, and Snoopy are all very critical design characteristics that should be included.  Honestly, I hope AI is the culprit. I’d hate to think that human beings at a brand that I hold in such high regard are responsible for such a shallow mismatch of buzzwords and incoherent thematic elements. Let’s take stock of what we’re looking at here. This is a Bioceramic, quartz MoonSwatch much like all the others. It follows the original Earthphase model from last year and includes not just a moonphase complication, but an “Earthphase” that depicts the “phase” of the earth as seen from the moon. Useful? No. Whimsical? Perhaps.  There are a lot of little details though that are a bit of a grab bag of prior elements of MoonSwatches and Speedmasters of the past. Most notably, Snoopy and Woodstock are depicted right on the dial, watching the cosmic dance play out in front of them. The moons on the moonphase indicator are MoonShine gold plated. The graphical inspiration for the moonphase complication is the...

Introducing: The MoonSwatch Mission to Earthphase – Moonshine Gold

Back in March 2022, the watch world experienced something rarely seen - a global frenzy, not over a mechanical masterpiece or a limited-edition grail but, instead, a battery-powered, (Bioceramic) plastic-bodied chronograph. The original Omega × Swatch MoonSwatch collection dropped without much warning, causing scenes that rivaled those of sneaker releases. People queued overnight outside Swatch […] Visit Introducing: The MoonSwatch Mission to Earthphase – Moonshine Gold to read the full article.

New Watch Releases You May Have Missed from IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Bremont, and Minase

Happy first weekend of August, and welcome to another new release summary! Would that make it a “summery” summary? Bad alliterative jokes aside, we’ve seen some exciting new pieces from big-name watchmakers and microbrands alike. Rounding out this release list are a colorful new IWC Top Gun collab, a Jaeger-LeCoulture that shoots for the stars, a meteoric Bremont with lofty aspirations, and a Minase that brings a little winter chill to the summer sun.  Read on, and let us know if there is a new release that you think we missed out on in the comments! IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar Far from their first Top Gun release, IWC’s new chronograph may not seem that exciting at first glance. But the new Miramar edition has a secret weapon: a Pantone hue of the same name. Other Top Gun IWCs have been made available in shades of black, gray, and beige, which although appropriate for the military-theme, aren’t terribly exciting from a color perspective. The Miramar, then, stands out with its unapologetically cheery blue, inspired by the light blue t-shirts worn by TOPGUN flight instructors under their flight suits.  It’s not just the color that gives the Miramar an edge, though. Design-wise, the left-leaning subdials at the 12, 6, and 9 o’clock positions, balanced out by the dual date and day windows, provide for a handsomely readable aesthetic. The typeface is characteristic of other IWC Top Gun watches, with rounded sans serif numeral...

Split Decision: Patek Philippe Reference 5370P vs. A. Lange & Söhne Double Split, An Owner’s Perspective

If there were a watch enthusiasts’ encyclopedia, under “embarrassment of riches” the image might just be a side-by-side shot two of contemporary watchmaking’s great complicated pieces: the “mighty” A. Lange & Söhne Double Split and Patek Philippe’s Reference 5370P split-second chronograph.

New: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Datsun 240Z

Seiko’s trio of Speedtimer x Datsun limited editions-SPB517, SRQ057, and SSC957-pays tribute to the iconic 1971 East African Safari Rally win, with each model channeling the spirit of the Datsun 240Z in distinct ways. Namely, a time-only, a mechanical chronograph and a solar chronograph, the trio provide offers at different price points.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Vs. Zenith Chronomaster Sport: Head To Head – Reprise

Day one for the Zenith Chronomaster Sport was January 21, 2021. And it seemed like everyone had the same reaction: “That is one aggressive Rolex tribute.” Tim Mosso thinks that the Chronomaster Sport is a distinctive product with its own identity and takes a look here at how it stacks up against the ever-popular Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.

Reviewing The New TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date

With a new movement and a refined case, we take out the new TAG Heuer Carrera Day Date for a spin to see how this new release stacks up for the watch that is so closely linked with motor sport. What We Love The new TH31-02 Movement with increased power reserve The ease of wear and comfort on the wrist The pops of colour on the grained black dial What We Don’t Lack of a screw-down crown Lack of Super-LumiNova on the dial The Day-Date aesthetic may not be for everyone Overall Rating: 8.6 / 10 Value For Money: 8.5/10 Design: 8.5/10 Wearability: 9/10 Build Quality: 8.5/10 So, I’m going to start this review by stealing a little from my TAG Heuer-loving co-worker, Mario. Why? Well, as they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, or “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, or “don’t reinvent the wheel”. In any case, Mario gave a great summation of this particular line of TAG Heuer Carreras in his write-up for them when they were released at Watches & Wonders this year. The Backstory (From Mario) By the early 2000s, Carrera chronographs were already well-established, but the newly LVMH-acquired TAG Heuer sought to create a watch that could display time as legibly and efficiently as its chronographs could record it. This vision materialised in the form of the Carrera three-hand timepieces, translating the timeless, functional design of the Carrera into a pure time-and-date model. These quickly became a staple of the modern TAG Heuer roster, as the cl...

Glashütte Original’s Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph Arrives Stateside

Introducing: Glashütte Original Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph (Live Pics)

A first-ever limited edition exclusive to the North American market.

Introducing – The Glashütte Original Panda-Style Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph, an Exclusive North American Edition

Glashütte Original’s Seventies chronograph captures the iconic design groove of the 1970s with its square, TV-shaped case, integrated bracelet, and cool luxury sports watch looks. Since its debut in 2014, the Seventies Chronograph has been revisited with vibrant-coloured dials. The latest release, the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph, opts for a classic panda-style dial with a matte […]

Glashütte Original turns the retro vibes up to 11 with a panda-dialled Seventies Chronograph

The brand's first North American exclusive, this might be the most handsome take on the Seventies Chronograph yet.The post Glashütte Original turns the retro vibes up to 11 with a panda-dialled Seventies Chronograph appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

First Look – The New Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph SRQ055

The original 1969 Seiko Speedtimer marked a milestone as the world’s first automatic chronograph with both a vertical clutch and a column wheel, boosting timing precision and reliability. That same year, the Datsun 240Z debuted as a Japanese sports car that proved its performance in global rallying, famously winning the East African Safari Rally in […]

Does Anyone Still Care Or Dream About A Tourbillon Watch?

A little research reveals that over 80 watch brands at different technical levels and price segments build timepieces outfitted with a tourbillon. Considering the mechanism’s significant cost and complexity, that’s a surprisingly large number. Likewise, mechanical chronographs, for instance, come in all shapes and sizes and prices, for that matter. Now, no disrespect, my dear […] Visit Does Anyone Still Care Or Dream About A Tourbillon Watch? to read the full article.

The new Seiko SPB513 is a Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical, but it’s not a chronograph?

It might not be a chrono, but its nifty countdown bezel affords it plenty of practicality (and charm).The post The new Seiko SPB513 is a Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical, but it’s not a chronograph? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

A Closer Look: De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph

The Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Datomaster VK63 V3 Is Finally Here

The Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Datomaster VK63 V3 is the third collaboration between the two brands in as many years. Originally designed to accompany a Valjoux 72-powered chronograph, the VK63, with its Sii VK Meca-Quartz movement, provided a fun and affordable but equally stylish counterpart. The VK63 model stands alone for the third collaboration, featuring a unique, head-turning colorway. The Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Datomaster VK63 V3 is the third collaboration between the two brands in as many years. Originally designed to accompany a Valjoux 72-powered chronograph, the VK63, with its Sii VK Meca-Quartz movement, provided a fun and affordable but equally stylish counterpart. The VK63 model stands alone for the third collaboration, featuring a unique, head-turning colorway. The post The Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Datomaster VK63 V3 Is Finally Here appeared first on Worn & Wound.

Hanhart Expands the Aquasphere Line with the New Ocean Fade Edition

These days, it can feel like the watch world is drowning in dive watches, making it increasingly difficult for brands to create standout pieces. Should you, as a designer, break diver conventions and risk sacrificing some of the core functionality that defines the category? Or should you tweak the finer details-like dial text, strap materials, or case sizing? There isn’t a definitive answer, but the Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade attempts to rise above the tide of new dive watch releases in a few key ways. The German brand, known for its history as a maker of stopwatches and chronographs since 1882, sticks with a classic blue and black color scheme for the Aquasphere Ocean Fade, a theme that remains hard to argue with in the dive watch category. The “Fade” refers to the dial’s soft gradient-bright ocean blue to deep black-with a matching blue or black bezel that mimics the change in light as one descends underwater. Legibility is maintained through bright white indices and text, and the stencil-style Arabic numerals contrast nicely with the more elegant Hanhart script just below 12 o’clock. Red accents at the tip of the seconds hand and around the bezel’s triangle marker add a layer of visual clarity to the overall package. Measurements on the Aquasphere Ocean Fade are typical for a tool-focused dive watch, though large by general watch standards. It comes in at 42mm in diameter with a 49mm lug-to-lug, dimensions that emphasize its purpose-built nature. Th...

Introducing: The Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade

Today, we’ll take a look at the latest release from Hanhart. The German brand may be best known for its aviation chronographs, but there’s a rather comprehensive catalog on offer. One example of this diversity is the company’s dive watch, the Aquasphere. Until now, the sub-collection consisted of one watch. Now, there are two with […] Visit Introducing: The Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade to read the full article.