Watches NEWS
Baselworld 2021 Postponed, Won't Be Held in January 2021
While Spring has come to Switzerland, the sky over the town of Basel remains cloudy and grey as the (sad) story continues. Already under pressure after the departure of Swatch Group, followed by the exodus of multiple other exhibitors and coupled with the current sanitary crisis, MCH, the owner of Baselworld, was forced to cancel its 2020 edition. This was followed by a series of announcements when some of the major exhibiting brands ( , Patek, Tudor, Chopard and LVMH among others) announced their decision to leave the show after?disagreements regarding the refund policy. This, incidentally, had to have an effect on the 2021 edition of the Basel-based fair. And indeed, it does, as MCH Group “has taken the decision not to hold Baselworld 2021” originally planned for January 2021… Postponed or cancelled? The Group still studies options.The fact is that the Geneva-based Watches & Wonders fair, held by the Federation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) with the backing of Ri
Hands-On - IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 Bronze IW388109
A classic among the collection of Pilot’s Watches, almost as important as the Big Pilot (in fact, it’s a chronograph that relaunched the pilot range at IWC), the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph is the collection’s cornerstone. A staple for the brand, which has produced such a model since the mid-1990s. For long an oversized watch with a 43mm case and Valjoux-based movement, it was revamped in 2021 with the introduction of a smaller case and a manufacture movement. Following the classic steel editions and a Ceratanium model, the brand once again demonstrates its focus on materials with this new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Bronze IW388109, combining warm colours for the case and dial.?The current IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 is the direct descendant of two significant watches: the mid-1990s references 3711 Doppelchronograph and the 3705, the classic chronograph housed in a ceramic case (and its steel counterpart, the 3706). These two watches were th
Driving Porsche 911 & 718 Cayman with the Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer All Titanium on the wrist - Monochrome Watches
Ever since Porsche Design has taken matters more into its own hands, after relying for decades on other watch companies to build watches for them, I'm warming up to the collection even more than before. I've always been a bit of a fan of what these Germans, related to that eponymous car brand, have been doing in the world of watches. The very first titanium chronograph, the very first black wristwatch, and even a watch with a built-in compass. I love it. When Porsche Design launched the 1919 Chronotimer, this time assembled in-house in Solothurn, Switzerland, we immediately asked to do a review of the Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer on the black rubber strap. Recently I've had the good fortune (read on to find out why) to do another review of that watch, now on the titanium bracelet.It's always hard to explain to friends that, oh sigh, I'm going on yet another trip. Especially when visiting the Formula 1 in Monaco, the America’s Cup in Bermuda, the World Rally Championship in Sar
Introducing: The Absinthe by Massena LAB and Ra¨²l Pages
What started as Massena LAB’s venture to create watches in collaboration with accessible niche brands or renowned independent watchmakers has grown to another level. Now, the horological creative studio not only designs and develops watches but has gotten to the point of co-developing its own proprietary movements. First seen with the Old School watch, made with Luca Soprana, Massena later launched the Magraph, involving talented indie watchmaker Ra¨²l Pages in the development of its hand-wound movement. Following the recent Observatory Dial watch with Phillips, the concept is now back in a new edition, the Absinthe watch, with a rich green dial that is about to make you see the Green Fairy…?The launch of the Magraph was an important step for Massena LAB, a declaration of independence. Moving beyond his usual strategy of reworking the design of watches (cases, dials, materials), William Massena decided to go one step further by developing his own proprietary movement, the ca
Introducing: The New Tudor Pelagos Ultra 1,000m
The Tudor Pelagos was released 13 years ago, under the reference 25500TN. A highly capable diver made of titanium, it was the brand’s answer to the Sea-Dweller, a true tool for diving, with a proper instrument-like design. This 500m dive watch has evolved over the years, receiving a manufacture movement and a blue dial in 2015, a lefty version (LHD) in 2016, and a 39mm no-date version in 2022. And that’s without counting the FXD editions for the Marine Nationale?or the Cycling Edition chronograph. This year, Tudor releases the top-of-the-range version, a titanium 1,000m model that benefits from the streamlined look of the Pelagos 39 and a METAS-certified movement. Meet the Tudor Pelagos Ultra.The Pelagos Ultra, as you’ve guessed from its name, is nothing more than a beefed up version of the traditional Pelagos dive watch, capable of resisting to greater depths. As such, the basics are still present and the Pelagos Ultra is still made out of titanium, with a full satin