Watches NEWS
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light Sapphire // Hands-On, Price
For once, a watch is given a name that makes sense! The Laureato Absolute is a study in light: thanks to the titanium structural elements of the case, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light is lightweight, and thanks to its sapphire crystal case, light penetrates and illuminates the skeletonised movement. A limited-edition of 88 pieces, this latest iteration transforms the technical components of the movement into design elements. Although we’ve already seen something similar in the form of?2019 GP Laureato Skeleton Earth to Sky Edition, a skeletonised model with the same calibre 1800, this new model notches up the light factor even further.Brief background of the LaureatoLike many brands, Girard-Perregaux is exploring the world of high-tech materials to give a fresh face and attitude to its core and ever-growing Laureato collection. When it was first introduced in 1975, the Laureato was positioned as the brand's take on the luxury sports watch, a new genre that had just hi
Bvlgari Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon - Introducing, Specs & Price
The Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon marries two traditional complications in a radically contemporary setting. The impressive acoustic and visual show, with a three-hammer chime and tourbillon, takes place on the dial of a very noir' Octo Roma case. The hammers, gongs and tourbillon are exposed on the dial while the mechanics of the impressive new BVL428 manual-winding calibre can be glimpsed at through an openworked metallic grille bolted to the dial and more clearly on the reverse side of the case. Assertive and commanding with its black DLC titanium case, two traditional complications are cast in an entirely new - but very dark – light.solid chiming credentialsChiming complications, in all their modalities, are not new to Bvlgari. Well represented in the past by the Daniel Roth Grande Sonnerie QP and the Gerald Genta Grande Sonnerie Magsonic with Westminster chimes and tourbillon, Bvlgari masters chiming timepieces with two, three and even four hammers. More recently, we’v
IWC launches Three Boutique Edition Pilot Watches - Monochrome Watches
Although IWC dedicated this year entirely to re-engineering the Ingenieur collection (check our extensive coverage here, here and here), they still had time to launch three boutique editions of the Pilot Watch collection. A?Big Pilot's Watch Top Gun, a Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar?Top Gun?and a Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun?are preparing to take off and bring more colour into the fleet. This colorful trio features?details in the form of red, green and blue hands and indices and they are available in limited editions at IWC boutiques around the world.IWC Schaffhausen's designers found inspiration for the three Top Gun Boutique editions from the cockpit instrument found in jets. The Pilot's Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Boutique Edition (Ref. IW388003)?comes with blue hands and indices, the Big Pilot's Watch Top Gun Boutique Edition (Ref. IW501903) with green and the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Boutique Edition (Ref. IW502903)?with red. All three come in a?cerami
Baselworld 2019 - MeisterSinger Bronze Editions No. 03, Perigraph and Metris (Specs & Price)
MeisterSinger specializes in unique, single-hand watches and its entire portfolio reflects that - none have a minute or seconds hand (well, there's this one). Most of its cases have been stainless steel thus far, with a cool Black Line edition of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated cases providing an edgier, sportier look. Bronze has been an increasingly popular case material with brands like Bell & Ross, IWC and Montblanc jumping onboard, and MeisterSinger itself has dabbled in bronze with the limited Perigraph Bronze. The German brand is now expanding on this with three new bronze editions of its most successful models - the No. 03, Perigraph and Metris. Bronze has long been favoured for nautical and scientific instruments due to its resilience and resistance to corrosion. It does form a patina over time, however, making each piece unique with an antique(ish) quality as they age.The No. 03 watches are part of MeisterSinger's Classic line, having either no date or a circular date win
Interview: Favre Leuba Returns With Patrik Hoffmann At The Helm
Patrik Hoffmann has been at the forefront of the watch industry for years, notably as CEO of Ulysse Nardin and Executive Vice President of Watchbox. Now, this industry veteran is leading the revival of one of the oldest Swiss watch brands with ambitious plans. Established in 1737, Favre Leuba boasts a rich heritage, particularly from the 1960s, when it created the FL 251 twin barrel movement and iconic tool watches such as the Bivouac with its aneroid altimeter and dive watches like the Deep Blue or the Bathy with its depth gauge. In 1985, following the quartz crisis, the family, which had run the brand for eight generations, had to sell it. Since then, Favre-Leuba has changed hands several times, with various attempts to revive its illustrious name. The brand now embarks on a new chapter, unveiling four new collections and 22 watches during Geneva Watch Days. Just before the event, we had the opportunity to sit down with Patrik Hoffmann in Grenchen, where the brand is headquartered, t