Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V Black Dial - The Paradigm of the Luxury Sports Watch - Monochrome Watches
As part of the triumvirate of luxury sports watches born in the 1970s, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas fulfils all the prerequisites of the genre. Thanks to its deceptively simple interchangeable strap system the Overseas introduces an element of versatility lacking in the Royal Oak and the Nautilus. Now in its third iteration, the Overseas is a fully fledged family and the model we are looking at today is the simplest, entry-level, time-only watch in a 41mm steel case with a dashing black dial and Vacheron Constantin's in-house calibre developed specifically for this watch. The subtle design tweaks and the superlative finishes on the case and bracelet captivate the casual elegance of the first Overseas watches combined with the robust attributes of a sports watch.The Holy Trinity of Luxury Sports Watches – The Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V next to its main competitorsThe Genesis of an IconFlashback to 1970. The Beatles have disbanded, the Concorde makes its first supersoni

Pre-SIHH 2017 - IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
It has become sort of a tradition for IWC now. Each year, when the SIHH is about to open, we all know that the Schaffhausen-based manufacture will come with an entirely revisited collection. After the 2016 Pilot’s Watches, the 2015 Portugeisers, the 2014 Aquatimers and the 2013 Ingenieurs, it’s now time to revamp the other collection, a range of watches that might not be the most popular among a large audience: the?Da Vinci. An icon of the 1980s, this watch has since seen many variations, being even dressed in tonneau-shaped case. For the SIHH 2017, IWC goes back to the roots of the collection and, to?open the festivities, introduces the flagship version: the?IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.With the new Da Vinci collection, IWC Schaffhausen has returned to the round case that was so successfully established by the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar in 1985. It means we are bidding farewell to the tonneau case and reafirming our commitment to the classic proportions the

Hands-On: The Fairly-Priced Patria Brigadier Tourbillon Subscription
The roots of Patria go as far back as 1892 as the name was registered by Louis Brandt et Fils. Therefore, the same founding family as Omega The brand was resurrected in 2019 by a British watch designer, Jolyon Lambert, and his co-founder, Adam Stansfield, as they found inspiration in a century-old trench watch. For its second model, the duo once again pays tribute to the brand's military heritage with a classic tourbillon watch aptly named Brigadier Tourbillon. Released as a subscription edition, this 39.5mm steel timepiece brings together a hand-finished, Swiss-made tourbillon movement and an enamel dial And the price is quite surprising, in a good way.?The World War II era usually comes to mind when thinking of vintage-inspired military watches. Yet, World World I played a pivotal role in the advent of the wrist-worn watch. As pocket watches proved unpractical in the field, military personnel transformed them to be worn on the wrist – the so-called trench watches – before

Industry Swatch Group 2022 Half Year Sales Report
Swiss watch giant Swatch Group has just issued its 2022 half-year sales report, for the period January 1st – June 30th. At CHF 3,612 million, net sales are up 7.4% compared to the previous year at constant exchange rates, or 6.5% at current rates. The operating profit is up 25.1% at CHF 503 million.The Group reports double-digit growth for major markets, in particular Europe, America and the Middle East. However, the business has been impacted negatively by China's latest Covid lockdowns, just like for other luxury conglomerates. Swatch Group evaluates that sales losses have been approximately CHF 400 million, due to closures of warehouses and many retail stores in April and May in China. The Ukraine conflict had less than a 1% impact on Group sales.Commenting on its brands' performance, Swatch Group highlighted the impressive success of the Bioceramic MoonSwatch. Interestingly, at the same time, Omega was confronted with supply shortages impacting the Speedmaster Moonwatch, afte

Piaget Polo FortyFive Two-Tones Perpetual Calendar - The hidden qualities of a sports watch - Monochrome Watches
When Piaget decided to take the legendary Polo out of its precious metal solitude they did a very thorough job. They made the case a contemporary 45mm in diameter, hence its name; Polo FortyFive.To prevent that you need serious muscle in order to wear this watch they made it from titanium. Only the famous?gadroons?are made of steel (except on the Two-Tones Perpetual Calendar). This change gives the Polo a fresh, yet still recognizable face. To make the watch even more contemporary Piaget added the option for a rubber strap (that suits the watch very well). Ad - Scroll to continue with article Recently Piaget introduced a new model in the FortyFive collection that should make connoisseurs and collectors alike burn with desire; the Polo FortyFive Perpeptual Calendar. Main attraction for this watch is of course the perpetual calendar complication. Like with all Pia