Watches NEWS
Audemars Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD#3 37mm 26660ST
Imagine the responsibility and challenges of having to produce 50th-anniversary watches to honour the forerunner and undisputed leader of the luxury sports watch. Luckily, Audemars Piguet is not daunted by challenges and has feted its Royal Oak's 50th birthday with standout models like the Jumbo Extra-Thin 16202 with a newly developed movement. A couple of months after the initial euphoria, AP unveiled the first Jumbo ever fitted with a flying tourbillon. Merging the classic design cues of the iconic Jumbo with a new extra-thin flying tourbillon movement (calibre 2968), the 39mm steel case displayed the signature blue petite tapisserie?dial. Given the challenges of developing a new calibre to fit inside the thin 8.1mm case height of the Jumbo, the project was entrusted to AP's Research & Development department to become RD#3. History repeats itself today as AP unveils a second version of its Royal Oak RD#3 in an even smaller 37mm case size with a classic petite tapisserie dial in a
Hands-On: The Gerald Genta Designed Credor Locomotive
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Credor, a brand that began as Seiko‘s high-end line, offering timepieces crafted from precious metals. Today, Credor is renowned for its commitment to superior craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility, which is evident in every aspect of its watches, from design to the intricate movements made up of countless minute components, as highlighted on the newly launched English version of the Credor website. Credor has unveiled several special models to celebrate this milestone: the Goldfeather Limited Edition, a special edition of the Eichi II, and the Locomotive. The Locomotive, a re-creation of the Gerald Genta-designed timepiece launched in 1979, has sparked a flurry of opinions since its public debut in June. Now, it’s time we share our impressions after a hands-on experience.How did the renowned Swiss designer, whose portfolio by the late 1970s already included the Polerouter, the revamped Constellation, the Royal Oak, the Nautilus, an
Just Because: It's February 29th... What Exactly is a Leap Year? And What Does it Means For Watches?
If you’re one of the lucky few to own a perpetual calendar watch (or even rarer, a secular calendar watch), this is the day you have to wear this watch. It’s not even an option, it’s an order. Why? Because your movement is going to perform a mechanical ballet that only occurs every four years – well, almost… more on that in a few – and your dial will be showing a day and date combination that only occurs every 1,460 days. Indeed, today is February 29th, and 2024 is a leap year. But what exactly is a leap year? Why does it even exist? Why make things so complicated? And how does this translate in terms of watchmaking and calendar watches? We tell you all.?Horology and mechanical watchmaking are children of astronomy. The entire system of measuring time, days or seasons is based on the observation of our planet and its position in the Solar system. Time and calendars are, however, conventions created by men. They are systems, a standardisation that all
Montblanc Heritage Spirit Pulsograph with Minerva Chronograph Movement (Specs & Price)
Back in 2014, right after Jer?me Lambert was appointed CEO of the brand (and?who is now COO of almost all the Maisons at Richemont Group), Montblanc introduced the Heritage collection?– a line-up of classical, elegant watches with a clear vintage appeal, in both the design and the use of complications. There was some Minerva inspiration, yet with the usual “affordability” the brand is known for. Alongside the below-10k perpetual calendar (a watch that sounded like a blast at that time) was another watch, the?Montblanc Heritage Spirit Pulsograph,?and here, it’s not only inspired by Minerva, but features true Minerva watchmaking skills. Why talk about this watch today? Well, just look at the photos and you’ll understand. A throwback to this watch is for pleasure only…When he joined Montblanc in 2013, Lambert infused a new energy into the brand. First of all was the concept of “accessible luxury“, so dear to him (he started it at JLC, but re
Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter (Specs and Price) - Monochrome Watches
Last weekend Oris introduced the world's first automatic mechanical altimeter wrist watch. When you’re thinking that this sounds like something you’ve heard before, you’re almost right. The Breva Genie 02 was actually the first mechanical watch with an altimeter. However that is a manually wound watch, and the new Oris is indeed the world’s first AUTOMATIC mechanical watch with an altimeter. And with a Swiss retail price of CHF 3.300, the Oris is roughly CHF 115.000 cheaper. Yes, the difference in price is quite an impressive number. However that’s the difference between the purest form of Haute Horlogerie, as offered by Breva, and the more mass produced wrist watches from Oris. Yet both use aneroid capsules for measuring variations in air pressure, which is used for the the altimeter indications. This thoroughbred pilot’s watch from Oris – they have a long history of making pilot’s watches – has now been equipped with a suitable, a