Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Music Editions
Imagine the soundtrack of the Royal Oak‘s debut in 1972 as Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” and Don McLean’s “American Pie” drifted across the radio waves. Fast-forward to 1993 with the launch of the Royal Oak Offshore and folks were rapping along to the urban sounds of Snoop Dogg, et al. Watches, like music, are cultural markers, reflecting trends and often, as in the case of the Royal Oak, becoming trendsetters themselves. Audemars Piguet celebrates its close affiliations with musicians and artists with the release of five Royal Oak Offshore models with colourful dials designed to echo the coloured bars on an equaliser (VU meter) in a recording studio. Available in 37 and 43mm case sizes in different materials (titanium, black ceramic and white gold), the Royal Oak Offshore Music Editions?pump up the volume with their techno-coloured dials.?Music and timekeeping go hand in hand, and AP’s links to music reach back to the mid-19th centu

Introducing: The Hublot Classic Fusion Essential Grey (Volume III)
One of Hublot's more recent specialities has been the Essential Grey treatment of popular models, which essentially turns them into monochromatic variants for collectors. This started with the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey and continued with the Spirit of Big Bang Essential Grey, and now we have a third instalment, the Classic Fusion Essential Grey. Two Classic Fusion models, 42mm and 45mm, are included for 2024 in what's become an annual tradition and feature titanium cases for that monochrome aesthetic.?As mentioned, there's a 42mm and 45mm Essential Grey model in satin-brushed/polished titanium with all of the Classic Fusion highlights: an integrated bracelet, six external and functional screws with H-shaped heads on a satin-finished bezel and a simple time/date-only design. Unlike most manufacturers, the difference in case size goes beyond just looks, as each has its own distinctive movement designed for the case volume. Perhaps a bit superfluous, but cool nonetheless. Both come wi

First Look: The IWC Portofino Chronograph 39 On Steel Bracelet
When it comes to icons, every brand wishes to have at least one in the ranks, but few brands can claim to have several cornerstone collections. One such brand is IWC, which can always count on the Big Pilot, Portugieser and Portofino to entice watch lovers. The Portofino, first introduced in 1984, quickly garnered a reputation for its timeless elegance.?However, one thing that has always been absent in the Portofino range is a stainless steel multi-link bracelet.?Making its debut on the Portofino Chronograph 39, this gives a decisively more sporty vibe to an all-time classic.Since its introduction four decades ago, the Portofino has made a name for itself as the elegantly proportioned, easy-to-wear watch. Most often, it is fitted to a leather strap, although mesh bracelets have been introduced in the past. With this new brushed and polished 5-link steel bracelet, IWC shifts the Portofino Chronograph 39 from a sporty-chic watch into a distinctly more sporty spotlight. IWC has cleverly i

Tissot Heritage Visodate Automatic - Value Proposition Review (Specs & Price)
They say some things were just better back in the day. Classic cars, classic movies, pinball vs. PlayStation Perhaps the same sentiment can apply to watches. It's no secret that vintage-inspired lines are exploding among brands, from Longines' Avigation BigEye to Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms, and the right mix of retro styling with contemporary engineering can become an enthusiast's dream. Tissot has its own Heritage collection that draws on over 165 years of watchmaking. We recently reviewed the Heritage Petite Seconde, a piece inspired by a 1943 Tissot classic, and now shift our attention to the Heritage Visodate Automatic, which harkens back to the 1950s when the brand celebrated its 100th anniversary (and something that was quite innovative back in the days).BACKGROUNDFounded in 1853 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Tissot is a real veteran in the industry. With the first mass-produced pocket watch in the 1850s and first anti-magnetic watch in 1929 (among many firsts), the company is a true

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black Volvo Ocean Race Limited Edition Winner's Watch - Monochrome Watches
Today the most dangerous, intense, and harshest of all sea races, The Volvo Ocean Race, comes to an end in The Hague, Netherlands. After sailing around the globe, spending approx. 9 months at sea, today marks the last in-harbour race, although it does not change anything for the podium positions. By winning the 11th leg, Dongfeng Race Team wins the Volvo Ocean Race in a bold victory and we went hands-on with the official winner’s watch, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ‘Volvo Ocean Race’.The very first Planet Ocean Deep Black was introduced two years ago. First as a GMT version that came in four different colour schemes (although the basis was black ceramic), and now Omega adds a 73-piece limited edition with chronograph function. To stay with the colours of the Volvo Ocean Race, Omega opted for the black/red version of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black. Tonight, one of the 73 pieces will be handed over to the skipper of the?Dongfeng Race Team, when the