Watches NEWS
Hands-On - Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer Bronze 43mm Anthracite
The latest Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer Bronze 43mm is a culmination of several things: the brand's recent use of bronze cases, the continued evolution of the Aikon line, and a focus on the diver aesthetic that began with the 1990s Calypso collection. This isn't simply a dive watch; it's very much an accessibly priced luxury sports watch as well. A hybrid, if you will. The first Aikon was introduced in 2017 with a quartz movement, but automatics debuted a year later and provided affordable alternatives to the Royal Oaks and Octo Finissimos of the world that many of us can only aspire to.?Maurice Lacroix generally defines affordable luxury, reminding me of brands like Frederique Constant, yet with a sportier vibe. The original Aikon automatics were luxury sports watches in three-hand and chronograph versions for enthusiasts without five-figure budgets. The Aikon Venturer series adds a more rugged, outdoorsy element with serious dive watch credentials. The Aikon Bronze first appeared i
Hands-On - BCHH x Andersen Geneve Celestial Voyager Ballon (Price)
What happens when you take Louis Cottier's world time complication, add a dose of refined Singaporean taste and passion for craftsmanship and entrust the project to a venerable master independent watchmaker like Svend Andersen? The answer is this delightful Celestial Voyager with a cloisonne dial inspired by the flight of hot air balloons over Cappadocia. Marking the second chapter of BCHH and Andersen Geneve's Celestial Voyager of 2021, the latest world time watch is an anthology of exquisite mechanics, sophisticated artisanal crafts and the soaring imagination of Benjamin Chee. Limited to 10 pieces and lavishly decorated and finished by hand, each watch is a unique miniature work of art.One man, three brandsYou might not be familiar with his name, but Benjamin Chee, the reputed Singaporean vintage watch collector turned entrepreneur is the man behind three different watch brands. Chee's appetite for fine watches has resulted in the foundation of three brands with three very different
Hands-on with the very original De Rijke & Co x Miffy Special Edition
The use of comic book characters or cartoon personalities in watchmaking isn’t new. However, we’ve recently seen a successful?revival of the classical Character Watches. Watches incorporating Mickey Mouse, Snoopy or Popeye have become very popular lately, and we can surely expect more to come in the future. Small-time Dutch independent watchmaker De Rijke & Co. now enters this humorous field of watchmaking with something very, very cool: Nijntje, or “Miffy” for non-Dutch people. This iconic little rabbit created by Dick Bruna is known the world over and now finds its way into a mechanical watch for the very first time. And we have the exclusive world premiere of this very fun and limited De Rijke & Co. x Miffy Moonphase.Dick Bruna & Nijntje/MiffyTo explain who or what Miffy is – for those who have no clue or need their memories refreshed – Miffy is a small rabbit-like character developed by Dick Bruna, perhaps the most famous Dutch graphi
Sarpaneva Korona K1 - Monochrome Watches
It’s been roughly 9 months since I bought my ‘grail-watch’, the Korona K1 from the Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva. So enough experience to sit down and write about this watch that’s been on my wrist almost permanently for almost 9 months. My Sarpaneva Korona K1 was my first watch from an independent watchmaker and also my most luxurious/expensive watch ever. When Stepan Sarpaneva told me the watch that I ordered was ready, I booked a ticket to Helsinki to pick it up myself. Here you can read the report of my trip to Helsinki. Now it’s time for a review to share my experiences of owning and wearing a Sarpaneva Korona K1. In May of last year it was finally time. The months before had been an intense period. Of course a decision like this was not made overnight, so long lists of potential watches had to be narrowed down. Or maybe the decision was not so difficult, it was just me having difficulty with spending so much money on a watch.?When my decision w
SIHH 2019 - Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar
Vacheron Constantin's very own customisation department – Les Cabinotiers – has created a one-of-a-kind timepiece that perpetuates the brand’s longstanding tradition of combining sophisticated horological complications. ?Following the release of the Mecaniques Sauvages animal-themed collection, the Grande Complication Phoenix, and the Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart,? Vacheron gives yet another display of the virtuosity of its watchmakers and artisans grouped in the Les Cabinotiers, where bespoke fantasies come to light. The latest unique piece shared by the brand is this Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar fitted with a totally revisited and ultra-thin movement: Calibre 1731 QP.Case and DialThe unique Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar is presented in either a?polished white or pink gold case and distinguished by its pure, sober lines. Measuring 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 10.44mm, the only give-away that you are looking at something of greater complexit