Introducing the IWC Portofino Midsize Collection and Three Portofino Automatics with Diamond-set Bezel (lots of live photos) - Monochrome Watches
At the Watches & Wonders fair that starts today in Hong Kong, IWC adds no less than 20 new models to the Portofino collection. There are seventeen new midsize models, all adorned with diamonds, and three new version of the 40mm Portofino Automatic, now in new 18K red or white gold and 72 diamonds set on the bezel. Most models come on beautiful hand-made leather Santoni straps, and two come on an extra fine Milanese mesh bracelet. And there are two models equipped with a second time zone and five with a moonphase. The Portofino collection just grew by 600%, from 4 models to 24. Last week we got an exclusive preview of the new Portofino models, before they were shipped to Hong Kong for the Watches & Wonders fair. This fair is becoming more and more important and we see more new models being presented especially for this fair, which is visited both by professionals as well as end-customers. Christiaan Knoop, IWC’s creative director, spoke to us about these new additions to t

First Look: The New, Retro-Styled Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph SRQ047 and SRQ049
Whenever we’re talking about Seiko‘s sports watches, those produced under the Prospex range, my mind quickly pictures a dive watch… There’s no denying the influence of the Japanese watchmaker in this field. It has been instrumental. However, we can’t reduce the history of Seiko’s professional watches only to aquatic models. The brand has had an equally strong influence on the chronograph market – remember that in 1969, it was part of a trio that presented the first automatic chronograph movements, with a watch named the Speedtimer. As a tribute to early 1970s models, Seiko brings back this name once more with vintage-inspired references, the SRQ047 and SRQ049.Following the creation of multiple sports timing devices in the early 1960s, Seiko released its first chronograph watch and movement in 1964, which coincidentally was the first of its kind for a Japanese manufacturer, with the Seiko Crown Chronograph and its calibre 5179. Launched for the

The captivating new Andersen Geneve Tempus Terrae Baguettes
With more than 40 years of independent watchmaking experience, it's fair to say Svend Andersen is one of the most seasoned watchmakers and a leading character in the industry. After working at Patek Philippe in the 1970s, he founded Andersen Geneve in 1980 and since has been at the forefront of the indie scene. He's a founding member of the AHCI for instance, in which he has always aimed to share knowledge and help others where possible. One of the cornerstone models in Andersen Geneve's arsenal is the Tempus Terrae, a wonderful world timer inspired by the complication as developed by Louis Cottier for Patek in the 1930s. For 2022, Andersen Geneve presents a pair of captivating new Tempus Terrae with Sapphire or Aquamarine baguette set bezels.The Sapphire baguette-set version of the Andersen Geneve Tempus Terrae.Technically there's nothing new regarding this pair of Tempus Terrae models, as the differences from previous renditions are purely aesthetical. Yet, the duo combines the wonde

Hands-On - The New Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80 (Specs & Price)
If you are in the market for a solid yet stylish 3-hand daily beater at an affordable price, the Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80 should be on your radar. This summer, the DS-1 returns with three new dial colours and interchangeable straps, one of them made from plastic recovered from the ocean. Like the DS-1 Big Date of 2019 designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Certina's DS (double security) concept of 1959, the watch blends a subtle vintage vibe with a resilient case and a robust Powermatic movement. ?Double Security turtle ShellIt's natural to associate Certina's Double Security concept with dive watches, and there are plenty of those in the brand's repertoire. After all, when it was introduced in 1959, the DS concept marked a big step toward making watches more reliable and water-resistant. The original DS concept, which is still used on all DS models today, relies on series of O-ring seals on the setting stem and crown with a special seal on the reinforced caseback. Like the ha

The 2022 Tudor Ranger 39mm 79950 In-House (Specs-Price)
While most of us might know Tudor (at least its modern side) for the countless editions of the Black Bay, the brand has far more to offer… And that, for its historical or modern collections. If you recall, in 2014 Tudor paid tribute to its involvement into exploration, by bringing back an important model, the Ranger. A robust, no-nonsense instrument made for adventure, it came back modernized with an oversized case but the same overall spirit. The Tudor Ranger has since been discontinued, but today it’s back with multiple evolutions, making it a far stronger offering. 39mm in size, equipped with a chronometer movement and some tricks under its sleeve, here’s the new 2022 Tudor Ranger 79950.?Tudor, Exploration and the BNGE is known by many for its connection with exploration, as of the 1930s, including testing watches on Himalayan expeditions. The peak of this story occurred with Sir Edmund Hillary and expedition partner Tenzing Norgay, when they summit Mount Everest