In-depth - The GMT Collection by Bell & Ross
Since its very creation, Bell & Ross has focused on military forces and, as its preferred theme, pilots. From the earliest days, when the watches were manufactured by Sinn to the present collections, pilots have been the central focus of the brand’s core collection. But “pilot” is a wide definition. The needs of a jet fighter officer aren’t the same as an airline captain or the needs of a frequent traveller. In this context, there’s one definitive function, the GMT complication, the one that helps you track time-zones. And Bell & Ross is no stranger to the GMT watch. Today, we’ll try to understand how it works by looking at three watches from the Paris-based brand.The days of military watches at Bell & Ross are far from over; however, the brand had to adapt to the real world and, without losing its origins of military-inspired and pilot’s watches, it started to offer watches for the urban gentleman. The pinnacle of this vision was l

Hands-On - Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Norton Motorcycles Edition (Specs & Price)
Breitling announced its partnership with British motorcycle maker Norton in 2018 and the fruit of this collaboration is a double whammy treat for bikers and watch lovers alike. Released in tandem during Baselworld 2019, Breitling unveiled its Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Norton Edition watch while Norton revved up the 961cc engine of its Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer MKII Breitling Limited Edition Motorcycle. We were lucky enough to have some hands-on time with the watch seriously hoping this might lead to a seats-on session with the bike!BackgroundSince he took over Breitling in 2017, Georges Kern has been keen on stretching the confines of the brand beyond the traditional aviation associations. He also realised the potential of dipping into archive material (the controversial Navitimer 8 based on the long-extinct Bretiling Huit Department of Aviation Instruments), reinterpreting classics (Navitimer 1 – without a chronograph!) and tapping into the current rage for retro with fait

Introducing: The New Bulgari Serpenti Pallini High-Jewellery Collection
It’s fair to say that Bulgari's ultra-thin Octo Finissimo watches have stolen the limelight for the past decade. However, Bulgari's laurels have rested for decades on its fabulous and creative high-jewellery watches, spearheaded by the brand's mascot, the Serpenti. Decked with fabulous gemstones, flexible Tubogas straps or whirling with tourbillons, Bulgari's Serpenti has countless guises. A new trilogy of Serpenti Pallini jewellery watches powered by Bulgari's miniature Piccolissimo calibre form part of the brand’s novelties unveiled during Geneva Watch Days. Bulgari's theme this year is sound, and the rare en tremblant setting of the tiny gold beads and diamonds that quiver with the slightest movement generate tiny vibrations.Bulgari's first Serpenti watch appeared in the late 1940s with a tubular coiling Tubogas bracelet. From the mid-1950s on, the Serpenti took on more realistic features, and the dial was hidden under a hinged cover on the snake's head. The muse for the

IWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition Boutique Munich / Paris
Following its?launch in 1995, the IWC Portugieser Chrono-graph Rattrapante (Ref. 3712) quickly gained?the status of icon. For a start it was?a?Portugieser (which alone makes this watch totally emblematic of the?Schaffhausen-based manufacture) plus it?also featured?quite a special split-second chronograph complication. Yes, it is a rattrapante but that’s not what made it special per se. It’s special because at the time it was a?simple and accessible rattrapante, which?was very cool. Unfortunately, this watch was discontinued in?2006… Until earlier this year that, when it was revived?in a gold limited edition for Milano. Today that model is joined?by two siblings, this time in stainless steel?– which?is really cool. Presenting?the “new” Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Boutique Editions, one for Munich and the other for the Rue de la Paix / Paris.The original, the 1995 IWC Portugieser Chrono-graph Rattrapante (Ref. 3712) Ad - Scroll to co

Ulysse Nardin Blast HourStriker Tourbillon - Review, Price
Before the invention of portable clocks, pocket and wristwatches, telling the time was primarily an audible exercise. In the past, almost every major city and town had a church with a tower clock. Visible from close quarters but not from afar, a system of bells and hammers chimed the time. For centuries this technique has been refined and miniaturised to fit into a mechanical wristwatch. Ulysse Nardin now takes the next step in this highly complex yet ever so romantic field of traditional mechanical watchmaking. Today we're introducing the Ulysse Nardin Blast HourStriker Tourbillon.BackgroundIn the world of watchmaking, there are a few complications regarded as ultra-complex to master. One is the integrated chronograph, even more so when fitted with a rattrapante. Then there's the tourbillon and even double or triple-axis tourbillons. And finally, there are various striking mechanisms, whether a Sonnerie, a repeater or a striking time indication. There are only a handful of watchmakers