Watches NEWS
Buying Guide - The Best Watches Introduced in 2020... So Far
It certainly is way too early to claim that we’re in front of some of the best watches of the year, and even though the industry isn’t in the best mood (sales aren’t expected on the rise, China’s situation could affect exports), we expect to see some great news to be launched. Still, and even if it’s only early February 2020, we’ve already seen some pretty impressive new models introduced. We’re not talking entirely new products, but instead evolutions of known watches… But that maturity has resulted in 4 very, very desirable watches. So here are some of the best watches introduced in 2020, so far.Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Satin-Polished SteelThe Octo Finissimo Automatic is a watch that needs no introduction anymore. It has been well-accepted by the watch community, thanks to its bold, modern design, its sleek colour scheme and, reinforcing Bvlgari’s investment to be seen as a real manufacture, an automatic movement that is a
Hands-On: The Rectangular Moritz Grossmann Corner Stone
In 2019, Moritz Grossmann ventured into the scarcely populated territory of rectangular watches, unveiling three dial variants in five different versions as part of the Art Deco-inspired and appropriately named Corner Stone series. The Corner Stone featured a specially designed shaped calibre with a central hour and minutes display and a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock; the collection included a limited edition pair with white Grand Feu enamel dials, which has long found a place in connoisseurs’ collections. References in white and rose gold with solid silver opaline or black lacquered dials were reserved for the regular catalogue. Recently, we had the opportunity for a hands-on experience with the Corner Stone in a striking rose gold version – an exceptional timepiece with a distinct identity and a unique elegance.The contextTo fully appreciate the Moritz Grossmann Corner Stone, one must acknowledge that combining a rectangular case and rectangular movement is no
Hands-On: The New Hublot Big Bang MP-13 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Bi-Retrograde
MP at Hublot is shorthand for Masterpiece and is the venue where some of the most outlandish designs and daring horological concoctions congregate. The latest member of the MP club is the Hublot Big Bang MP-13, a limited edition of 50 numbered pieces conceived as exclusive collector’s trophies. Housed in an unusual-shaped 44mm brushed titanium case, the mechanical spectacle provided by a double-axis tourbillon and bi-retrograde hours and minutes underscores Hublot’s in-house capabilities as a purveyor of highly complex movements.Unusual shapeThe titanium case, which many fans of the brand will identify with the MP-09 Bi-Axial Tourbillon of 2017, measures 44mm and has a thickness of 16.7mm. Decorated with sleek satin-brushed surfaces and polished bevels, the complex case construction case respects specific design codes of the Big Bang with its protective lateral rubber inserts and signature H-shaped functional screws on the bezel, reduced from five to six. The reason there a
Cousteau and the Timepieces of the Calypso team - Part 3 - Monochrome Watches
Yesterday we introduced?you to the history of diver watches and the crucial role that Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team played in the development of diver watches (see here). The second installment?focussed?on?the diver watches that were actually used by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and is team in the 1960’s (click here), and now we’re going to show you the watches that they used in the 1970’s and 1980’s. We’re still talking about proper tool watches, although the first ‘luxury’ watches are appearing as well.?During the 1970's the watches that Cousteau and his divers wore, and which can be identified from the documentaries, were mainly from the brands Omega, Doxa and . The ultra professional Seamaster 600 and 1000 plus the Marine Chronometer, which can ben seen on the wrist of the commander himself, the Doxa 300 Sub and the Doxa T-graph and last but not least, various Submarines (ref.5512/5513) and a few Sea-Dwellers.Let’s Talk about Watches&#
Kering Sells Girard-Perregaux & Ulysse Nardin to Management
As we’ve just entered the LVMH Watch Week, the other French luxury powerhouse, Kering (ex-PPR) has just announced the finalisation of the management buy-out of Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin, thus selling its watch activities to the current management of the brands. Following some talks that started a few months ago, it is now confirmed that Sowind Group SA, the umbrella above GP and UN, is out of the portfolio of Kering. The transaction, which has been conducted by the current CEO of both brands, Patrick Pruniaux, should be finalised this summer.As a reminder, Kering Group is a French conglomerate specialized in luxury goods, majorly owned by Fran?ois-Henri Pinault. Under this umbrella are brands such as Balenciaga,?Bottega Veneta,?Boucheron, Gucci or Yves Saint Laurent. Up until now, the group was also involved in watchmaking. In 2011, Kering took a majority stake in Girard-Perregaux (as well as the now-defunct brand JeanRichard, owned by the same company Sowind Group SA).
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