In-Depth: Deciphering The Superb F.P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine
The F.P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine is a complicated watch initially unveiled in 2019 as the Astronomic Blue, a one-of-a-kind (prototype) watch created for the biannual Only Watch auction fundraiser supporting muscular dystrophy research. This remarkable timepiece crafted in tantalum with a striking blue dial fetched a staggering CHF 1.8 million. Later that year, F.P. Journe announced limited quantities of a steel-cased production model, which closely resembled the Only Watch version, albeit with some differences in dial colours, design, and movement decoration. Let us share our recent encounter with this extraordinary horological creation.The Astronomic Souveraine is a true grand complication, boasting an array of 18 functions and complications. Among its impressive features are a minute repeater, moon phase display, sidereal time indication, day and night indicator, sunrise and sunset indications, power reserve indicator, annual calendar, and equation of time. All of these complex

Hands on with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Ultra Thin - Monochrome Watches
Our contributor from Down Under gets hands on experience with the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Ultra Thin.?Earlier this year, you read about two special new Jaeger-LeCoultre models for 2011, the Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea? and the?Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 on Monochrome. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be able to get hands-on with both of these watches at a local AD. A few weeks ago I shared my experience with?the Tribute to Deep Sea?and now it's the Ultra Thin's turn. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The Reverso Ultra Thin has been produced in a regular production model in steel that sports a black dial, and a limited edition of 500 in pink gold with a silvered dial and applied gold plated hour-markers and numerals. It was the latter that I had the opportunity to spend some time with.The first thing to note about this watch is, of course, its

The Type A11 DD-45, The Dirty Dozen Watch According To Praesidus
Watches have always been intertwined with big historical events all over the world. Many are connected to pivotal events or influential people, such as the Omega Speedmaster and the Apollo 11 mission that landed on the Moon or the watches worn by King Charles III of the British royal family. But some watches are not special because they are tied to a single person or event in time, but for having humbly served an entire nation or even the world. One type of watch that immediately springs to mind is the military issued “Dirty Dozen” watch. Even today, collectors are fanatically chasing these 12 different watches, issued by the British Ministry of Defense in 1943. This group is so popular today that other brands also take inspiration from the simple yet very effective design, which is exactly what Praesidus has done. Its all-new Type A11 DD-45 collection is a fitting salute to the original twelve that served so many during WWII.Let’s immediately make it clear that the n

Recommended Reading - Interview With Industry Veteran Dr Helmut Crott
For seasoned collectors and long-time watch enthusiasts, the name Dr Helmut Crott will certainly sound familiar. But this discreet gentleman is a far cry from your typical flamboyant CEO or industry insider. Understated, humble but extremely knowledgeable. The kind of man that you can learn a lot from; a man with more than half a decade of experience in the watchmaking field, as a collector, an auctioneer, an author and even as the owner of a historical watch brand. You don’t get to hear this man often, but our friends at A Collected Man managed to spend a day with him, and the result in this inspiring interview. Dr Helmut Crott is one of the most important actors of the modern watch industry, specifically on the collecting side. Over his 50-year career, he’s been a collector, he worked together with Patek Philippe to source some of the watches now exhibited at the Museum, he started an eponymous auction house focused on watches – Dr Crot

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 114 GMT - Baselworld 2018 (Specs & Price)
True to its philosophy of producing real watches for real people', the new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 114 is a utilitarian travel companion with a second time-zone (aka GMT) and a host of practical functions. Propelled by the latest in-house movement with a beefy 10-day power reserve, the novelty of the 2018 Oris Big Crown ProPilot calibre 114 is the 24-hour second time-zone function with half-hour indications.Exceptions to the ruleThe local time in any of the world's 24 time zones is defined by its difference from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and is generally expressed in full hours. There are of course exceptions to the rule and the new Oris watch will prove an invaluable companion for those of you travelling to cities with half-hour derivations like New Delhi, Tehran, Pyongyang, Kabul or Adelaide. Ad - Scroll to continue with article From pilots to f