Watches NEWS
Thoughts on the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref.5711 (and why I didn't buy one) - Monochrome Watches
The segment of luxury sports watches remains an interesting and intriguing category in the world of watches. Since the very first luxury sports watch was introduced in 1972 – the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 5402ST – many brands have tried to enter this segment, most of them without the success they had envisioned. The watch we will be looking at today did succeed, and might just have superseded the immense success of the Royal Oak. I'm talking about the Patek Philippe Nautilus and today we'll be looking at this extremely popular luxury sports watch.Originally introduced in 1977 as the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700, this was Patek's take on the luxury sports watch and, like the Royal Oak, it was designed by Gerald Genta. In 2006 it was replaced by ref. 5711, an updated, modernised version of the basic stainless steel Nautilus. Over the years there have been quite a few variations, materials, and additional functions for the Nautilus, which we covered in our three-part
First Look: The New Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Blue-and-Gold
Over the years, Bulgari has released various iterations of the Octo Finissimo Automatic, showcasing the brand’s willingness to experiment with diverse materials and textures. Each subsequent model breathed new life into its appearance, unveiling a captivating and distinct aesthetic. The brand also improved the Octo Finissimo Automatic series, notably increasing water resistance from the inaugural 30m to a commendable 100m. New to the series is this bold and luxurious new edition, a yellow gold and blue dial version of the ultra-thin Octo Finissimo Automatic.?In 2017, Bulgari achieved its third record in ultra-thin watchmaking with the Octo Finissimo Automatic, measuring a mere 5.15mm thick. This accomplishment followed the 2014 Octo Finissimo Tourbillon and the 2016 Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater. Despite these earlier achievements, the more accessible Octo Finissimo Automatic played a crucial role in solidifying the iconic status of the series. This watch, which started its life
Patek Philippe 5178G Minute Repeater Cathedral Gongs - Review with Sound (Specs & Price)
Recently, Xavier and I had the pleasure to visit Patek Philippe’s manufacture, from the case and bracelet factory to the Haute Horlogerie ateliers. It’s only once you’ve been there that you can understand that something truly special is going on, especially at the HH workshop. Patek Philippe minute repeaters, which are manufactured there, have always been known to be best-in-class. And believe me, they are. To understand why we had the rare opportunity to go hands-on with the latest addition to the collection, the?Patek Philippe 5178G – which is also the occasion to explain the concept of?Cathedral Gongs and, of course, we have the sound too.The?Patek Philippe 5178G Minute RepeaterAt first sight, the?Patek Philippe 5178G is a rather simple watch. Relatively reasonable in terms of proportions, based on a simple time-only display, showing an elegant and highly traditional case… There’s nothing to lead you to imagine that something very complex ticks in
Introducing 2021 TAG Heuer Carrera 3 Hands Collection - Hands-On, Price
The Carrera, like other collections by Heuer/TAG Heuer, is named after a prolific motorsport event or venue. Legendary names like Monaco, Monza, Silverstone, or Formula 1. All strong names inspired by the world of motorsports. The TAG Heuer Carrera, of course, takes its names from the Carrera Panamericana, a gruelling border-to-border road-racing event held in Mexico from 1950 to 1954. TAG Heuer launched the Carrera collection in 1963 and nowadays labels it “born on the racetrack”, something very fitting with the brand's identity. In 2021, almost 60 years after first debuting the name, the collection is alive and well, with the brand introducing three new models – Date, Day-Date and Twin-Time Date – making the 2021 TAG Heuer Carrera 3 Hands Collection.The origins of CarreraThe history of the “Carrera” name as used by Heuer pre-dates the launch of the Heuer Carrera collection by a full decade, however. In 1953 Heuer produced the 404 series watch, dedi
Toyotas Victory in Transitional 2021 Le Mans 24-Hour Race - Monochrome Watches
Initially, it was intended more manufacturers would join Toyota for this year's running of the most prestigious endurance race of the year. There was already news of Aston Martin cancelling the Valkyrie racing program long before the event. This all led to only 5 contenders in the newly formed Le Mans Hypercar class, with Toyota being rivalled by Alpine and Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus. But not to worry, there are still some very interesting elements to this year's edition, not only from the top-tier racers but even more so in the other categories. We'll take you through the highlights.Making a transition from one set of rules to the other is always challenging. It becomes even more strenuous when your running a multi-class event and have to consider implementing a balance of performance and focus on building a sustainable future. We all know the remaining life of combustion engines seems to be very short, as more and more manufacturers shift towards hybrid and full EV portfolios, but