2021 A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Thin Blue Gold Flux Pink Gold
In the past 27 years, A. Lange & Sohne have often been rather cold and understated, with a typical Germanic style, which was largely compensated by the demonstrativeness of the movements. Yet, in recent years, the brand has added some flair and a slight dosage of extravagance in some of its collections, creating visually more embellished watches. Case in point, the “Gold Flux” treatment, a concept first applied to the Saxonia Thin model in 2018, resulting in a watch that evokes a star-studded nocturnal sky. Elegant yet stylish, this copper-glittered face is coming this year with a new combination of colours, in the new A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Thin Blue Gold Flux Dial and Pink Gold case.The Gold Flux dial first appeared in Lange’s collection back in 2018, back then housed in the 39mm case of the Saxonia thin. First unveiled in a combination of blue dial with a white gold case, it has been followed in 2020 by a second model. Besides the new combination of colou

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar White Ceramic 26579CB.OO.1225CB.01 (Specs & Price)
Back in 2017, Audemars Piguet showed an innovative spirit by presenting its first full ceramic watch (bracelet included), the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black. Needless to say, this watch is one of the hottest editions in the collection, with its unique stealth look and its complex movement. Based on this concept, Audemars Piguet introduces a new version, perfect for summer, with an entire habillage made of white ceramic.?What was the deal back in 2017, with the previous black ceramic model? Well, in short, it was the first time that Audemars Piguet presented a watch entirely crafted in ceramic, case and bracelet included… You could argue that many other brands did it before, however, you have to consider that the watch used as a base was the Royal Oak with its complex shapes and surfaces. Indeed, delivering the same level of details on a ceramic case and bracelet as found on a steel Royal Oak is nothing short of an achievement. The result is visually stunnin

Gerald Charles Maestro 8.0 Squelette - Hands-On, Price
The mission of Gerald Charles, an independent family-owned watch company based in Lugano, is to perpetuate the legend of the late Gerald (Charles) Genta, the foremost watch designer of the 20th century. With a portfolio of watches built around an extravagant Genta case design known as Maestro, the brand launches the Gerald Charles Maestro 8.0 Squelette, a skeletonised version of the watch designed by Octavio Garcia – ex-artistic director of Audemars Piguet and founder of Gorilla Watches. The choice of Garcia was surely intentional, given that Gerald Genta's meteoric career took off with a watch design he made for Audemars Piguet in 1972 that is now more popular than ever.Frederico Ziviani, CEO of Gerald Charles, and Octavio Garcia, designerThe MaestroGerald Charles Genta (1931-2011) was the brainchild behind the luxury sports watch. Following a renewed and highly successful design for Omega's Constellation watch in 1959, Gerald Genta's design career took off. Icons like the AP Ro

Hands-On IWC Big Pilot Monopusher Saint Exupery IW515204 (Price)
Having a good story to tell is a treasure trove for watch brands, and IWC secured a winning one in 2005 when it partnered with the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupery, aviator and author of the timeless novella, Le Petit Prince. Special editions of the Big Pilot's Watch, devoted to the author Antoine de Saint-Exupery and his legendary Prince, appeal to the hearts and minds of fans with their classic B-Uhr pilot watch styling. Following the debut of the Big Pilot Le Petit Prince with a monopusher chronograph last year, it's Antoine de Saint Exupery's turn to be kitted out with this complication. Presented in the emblematic Big Pilot's format in an 18k rose gold case, the new?IW515204 shares the exact specifications as the 2021 edition but is produced in even more reduced numbers and limited to 100 pieces. And when we say emblematic', we are referring to the 46.2mm version inspired by the massive 1940s B-Uhr watch, not the downsized 43mm that ruffled the feathers of some Big Pilot fans.The

In-Depth - The Future Of Silicon Hairspring & The Expired Patent
Barely one centimetre in diameter, the hairspring is the beating heart of a watch movement. It is a strategic component in several respects. Manufacturing hairsprings is a complex process mastered only by a few companies. Conventional hairsprings are made of iron-nickel alloys, such as Nivarox. For several years now, silicon has been revolutionizing traditional watchmaking. Borrowed from the semiconductor industry, silicon presents remarkable properties to manufacture hairsprings outperforming those made from conventional metal alloys. But until very recently, silicon hairsprings have been used by a limited number of companies, which patented the technology Things might change as their patent has now expired. We could well enter the silicon age.?The silicon-based Spiromax hairspring of Patek PhilippeThe benefits of the silicon hairspringNot everyone is a fan of the modern silicon hairspring. Some wonder whether silicon has its place in a traditional mechanical watch. Others question th