Introducing IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Steel bracelet IW358312
With over 80 years of existence, the IWC Portugieser is amongst the brand’s most emblematic models, if not its most praised watch ever. A watch that has been introduced during the 1930s, it came back on the market during the 1990s and has been the elegant, sporty-chic proposition of the Schaffhausen-based brand ever since. Countless editions have been created, with all possible complications, but simplicity is a form that suits the model well. Nothing better than a sleek chronograph or an elegant small seconds display. The latter, in its smaller version launched just over a year ago, resurfaces today in a sportier, more casual full-steel attire, with the new reference IW358312, the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 on Steel Bracelet.?For several years, the overall concept of the Portugieser has been rather straightforward. It has been first designed in 1939 following the request of two Portuguese merchants (named Rodrigues and Teixeira), who wanted to have the precision of IWC's deck

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm 15500 Silver Dial (Price)
The watch that launched the luxury sports watch category and kept Audemars Piguet afloat through thick and thin since 1972 was fittingly named after a 1916 Royal Navy battleship, the HMS Royal Oak. Without delving into its genesis and well-documented history, suffice it to say that the Audemars Piguet’s flagship Royal Oak has been interpreted in countless guises over the years. The Ref. 15500, a 41mm model of the RO with an upgraded in-house movement was introduced in 2019 and designed to replace the former Ref. 15400 that had been around since 2012. Offered with blue, grey and black dials, the latest iteration of Ref. 15000 now comes with a classic silver-toned dial. Combined with the steel case, the silver dial contributes to its solid monochrome look.The blue dial version of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm 15500ST, introduced in 2019 – also with black and dark grey dials.Background Ref. 15500STLargely eclipsed by the launch of AP's polarising CODE 11.59 co

Hands-on: The Genus GNS2 - Sleeker, Still Fascinating
A masterpiece of ingenuity and complexity, the GNS1 dazzled the watchmaking scene with its incredible free-moving train travelling around the two central counters on the dial like a mechanical caterpillar. Marking the indie brand's debut in 2019, the GNS1 was ten years in the making and protected by two patents. Earlier this year, Genus introduced the GNS2, a follow-up model designed to simplify the display and lighten the case. Now fitted with a closed dial and two separate and shorter trains, the question is whether this exercise in style results in a more legible, streamlined and ultimately more wearable watch.The First GNS1Genus Watches is a collaborative venture between entrepreneur Catherine Heny and watchmaker Sebastian Billieres and was founded in 2019. The first opus to emerge from Genus, the GNS1,?is a veritable mechanical extravaganza, relying on an ingenious mechanical train/free-moving element circling the two tens-of-minute counters in the centre of the dial to form a fig

IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Lewis Hamilton IW503002
Last year, I had the chance to interview F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton, just before the French Grand-Prix. Part of the discussion was, of course, his impressive racing results but also something more in line with our usual topics; watches. I asked him what if he had the opportunity to design his own IWC watch. He answered “red gold is my favourite (…) I love the Big Pilot's watch, I love heavier watches (…) Most likely it would be a perpetual calendar (…) A watch as mechanical as possible.” Well, it seems that his idea has come to life, with the new IWC “Lewis Hamilton” Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar.?Let’s get it straight… This new IWC Lewis Hamilton edition is bold. Colours are louder than your usual Pilot’s watch, the mix of materials brings a lot of contrast, the watch is large, heavy, complex and far from accessible. In short, it’s quite in line with the image Hamilton sends – even though, to my bigg

Hands-On - Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Gold Green Dial
“The Speedmaster Moonwatch should be in stainless steel. Period. This is how NASA wanted it, this is how Omega created it, and this is how it went to the Moon.” This is the type of argument you can imagine hearing from the mouth of strongly opinionated Speedy fans. Fair enough, the Moonwatch is still very much available in this more common material, and it should make them happy enough. What if, on the other hand, you’d like to have the legendary look of the Speedmaster Moonwatch (understand the classic proportions, design and movement) with a touch of luxury, a touch of colour and a (fairly controlled) touch of bling? Well, since 1969, there are some gold editions of the emblematic space chronograph, and the brand continues this legacy with a truly handsome, highly desirable, not-that-bling Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Gold and its cool green dial.?The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Master Chronometer Co-Axial, in steel, released in early 2021.We’v