Watches NEWS
Gerald Charles Maestro 8.0 Squelette Gem-Set Limited
Founded by legendary designer Gerald Genta, the independent watchmaker known as Gerald Charles is the perpetuation of his legacy and a continuation of his designs. Lately, the brand’s portfolio has grown quite dramatically, with all watches built around a signature, highly original yet quite elegant design known as the Maestro (yes, shaped by Mr Genta himself back when he was still alive). This shape has been revived in a watch featuring an airy, openworked movement with the Maestro 8.0 Squelette, helped by another influential designer, Octavio Garcia. And today, it’s back in a series of four limited editions with appealing gem-set bezels.?We reviewed the classic Gerald Charles Maestro 8.0 Squelette when it was launched, but just in case, here’s a quick reminder. The Maestro case was the brainchild of Gerald Charles Genta (1931-2011), who designed this shape in 2006 after he sold his eponymous company to Bulgari and re-launched a watchmaking venture under the name Ger
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition Chinese New Year
The Portugieser collection is a pillar of IWC Schaffhausen, and for a good reason. The collection dates back to the 1930s when two gentlemen dealers from Portugal commissioned a watch for the local market. The result, reference 325, gave the name and paved the way for many beautiful timepieces with all sorts of complications. Two years ago, IWC offered a new take on the classic hours, minutes, and small seconds watch in the Portugieser collection, a compact Portugieser Automatic 40, in harmony with the universal trend of smaller case diameters, with several case materials and dial colour options. The new reference IW358315, also known as the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition Chinese New Year, complements this line with a new colour dial and a new – and fun – shape for the rotor.Watch editions dedicated to the Chinese New Year are widespread across the industry. Big and small brands rush to satisfy the critical market, offering themed animations in limited editions. IWC i
First Look: The New Hublot Big Bang Unico Saxem Green
In recent years, using coloured cases and transparency has become a prevalent trend in the luxury watch industry. However, Hublot stands out as the undisputed leader when creating an entire timepiece in vivid colours and transparent materials.?One striking example is the lemon-yellow Big Bang Tourbillon Neon Yellow, unveiled by Hublot in 2023. This exceptional timepiece was crafted using a material developed by Hublot’s R&D department, known as SAXEM – Sapphire Aluminium Oxide and Rare Earth Mineral – produced by blending aluminium oxide, the fundamental component of sapphire, with rare-earth elements such as thulium, holmium, and chromium. This material debuted in 2019 and the latest addition to the series is this Big Bang Unico Saxem Green.?The polished sapphire case of the Big Bang Unico Saxem Green has a 42mm diameter and a thickness of 14.5mm, featuring an exhibition caseback and bezel crafted from this innovative and durable material. Complementing the overa
Touched By The Hand Of Maradona (who offered a Hublot to the Pope) - Monochrome Watches
Thirty years after an act of personal divination brought the World Cup to Argentina, football superstar Diego Maradona (a.k.a Hand of God) was brought face-to-face with Pope Francis (a.k.a Man of God) for charity football tournament organized by His Holiness… and a?surprise came in the middle of the game, not touched by the hand but?strapped around the wrist this time.Hublot are never shy about asserting their sporty nature and demonstrating to the world their love of sports and sporting events. Indeed, there are few brands that I can name who have worked to assiduously to court so many athletes and teams. This time however, Hublot have gone in an entirely different direction: one of their international ambassadors - football great Diego Maradona has chosen fellow Argentinian, Pope Francis as the recipient of a brand spanking new Hublot Big Bang Unico watch. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Christophe Claret presents the X-TREM-1 Pinball - Monochrome Watches
Another timepiece for the Only Watch auction is a unique approach to the X-TREM-1 that Christophe Claret introduced last year. Of course we shared that brilliant timepiece with you (click here) because it was the very first timepiece to indicate time by means of magnetism! Yes indeed, magnetism usually is something you’d like to avoid in or around your mechanical watch, however Christophe Claret found a way to use moving magnets and round metal balls to indicate the time.?Besides the magnetism, the X-TREM-1 also features a tourbillon, that is mounted at a 30 degree angle. At that angle the tourbillon is simply more visible to the person wearing the watch and visual effects are key in a timepiece like the X-TREM-1. The folks over at Christophe Claret will mind the technical aspects and they are good at that. The new X-TREM-1 Pinball resembles the inside of a pinball machine, with bumpers, slingshots, balls and even a TILT button! Ad - Scroll to continue with article
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