Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer Bronze and Two-Tone - Hands-On
A couple of years ago, Maurice Lacroix introduced its Aikon collection with automatic movements, a watch with a clear ‘luxury sports watch’ connection, yet with an accessible price. And the recipe proved successful. Offered in multiple variations and materials, it wasn’t enough for the brand that enlarged its collection with another, more robust and sportier edition, the Aikon Venturer. Today, this adventure/diving-oriented piece receives new colours and materials, with the launch of the Aikon Venturer Two-Tone and Bronze.The luxury sports watch category is ruled by some perennial icons such as the Royal Oak and the Nautilus – two watches born in the 1970s, almost unchanged since then and that defined the genre. Fast forward to now and the luxury sports watch has never been so popular, but still out of range for most watch enthusiasts (even more considering the shortage of steel models). Some brands, however, saw an opportunity here, by offering the taste of thi

Hands-On - Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire Black-DLC Steel / Blue dial (Specs & Price)
As part of its pre-Baselworld 2018 collection, Bulgari unveils a new version of its Octo Tourbillon Sapphire, now with a black DLC steel case. In the dark, its tourbillon movement glows with a magical blue luminescence revealing its mechanics in complete transparency. Here's an advance hands-on look at this bold piece.Inspired by a modern and eminently personal vision of watchmaking, the bold Octo Tourbillon Sapphire plays with volumes, contrasting materials and color (with a style reminiscent of the brand's Magsonic design). The latest version of the model is presented in a case fashioned out of black DLC-coated steel?(diamond-like?carbon) and sapphire. Its original sandwich construction reveals its inner workings in full transparency to create a mechanical sculpture of gears, space, shadow and light.The middle part is made of sapphire allowing the light to pour in and magnify the openwork mechanical heart of the watch, which is dramatically enhanced with inserts crafted from blue Sup

Vertex M100B Black DLC Dirty Dozen Military Watch (Specs & Price)
Vertex is a one-of-a-kind brand, resurrected from the past, now back in business with some pretty cool toolish, military-inspired watches – and clearly, they are more than legitimate in this field! With a solid “Dirty Dozen” background behind these watches, the modern pieces done by Vertex have to be ready for action… And the brand’s latest piece is no exception to the rule. Meet the all-black, stealth looking Vertex M100B Black DLC.The “Dirty Dozen” ConnectionRe-incorporated 100 years after the company’s creation by the founder’s great-grandson, Vertex and its military-inspired watches are moving fast, with now two models in the collection – the 3-hand, modern interpretation of the MoD watches and the Monopusher Chronograph MP45 we already reviewed. But when talking Vertex, you have to keep in mind that these watches don’t come out of the blue and bear a true, legitimate pedigree. Ad - Scroll to continue with

Patek Philippe Ref.5270/1R Gets the Midas Touch - Monochrome Watches
The combination of a chronograph and a perpetual calendar is the epitome of what Patek Philippe does best. This year we were regaled with not one but two 5270 references, one in platinum with a much-praised salmon-coloured dial and this rose gold model with an ebony dial. Dripping in 18k rose gold from head to toe, Patek's Ref. 5270/1R is as different from its platinum brother as chalk and cheese. With the same sophisticated in-house manual-winding movement as its sibling, the 5270/1R comes with a sumptuous rose gold bracelet with the QP correctors artfully hidden in the links.The King of ComplicationsThe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph is considered by many as the pinnacle of Patek Philippe's watchmaking prowess and its first chapter was written in 1941 with the launch of legendary Ref. 1518. The first serially produced perpetual calendar with chronograph, Ref. 1518 was decades ahead of other brands. A holier than holy grail piece, the $11 million paid for a stainless steel 1518 model

Introducing The Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV
Oris remains committed to its Change for the Better mission, whether by introducing a smaller, lighter, fully recyclable Sustainable Watch Box, celebrating Local Heroes who embody the watchmaker’s honourable values, or partnering with the social enterprise Bracenet. This July, in support of the Australian non-profit Reef Restoration Foundation, Oris presents the Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV. This release features several unique design elements that make it particularly special.The Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV is based on the latest-generation Aquis Date 43.50mm, unveiled earlier this year. The stainless steel case boasts 300m water resistance. It features a screw-in crown and a unidirectional rotating bezel with a grey tungsten insert displaying a 60-minute scale and a triangle at the top. The screwed case back is engraved with an image of coral and a starfish, along with the Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition inscription and individual limited-edition numb