Introducing: A Trilogy of Audemars Piguet Models in a new Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 Ceramic
Audemars Piguet recreates a colour intimately associated with its first Royal Oak model of 1972. Although the colour described as “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” has appeared on many dials, it has never been replicated in high-tech ceramic. Inspired by the clear night skies of the Vallee de Joux, this darker tone of blue ceramic is used on the three models – two Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs and a Royal Oak Openworked Double Balance.Audemars Piguet's blue ceramic pays homage to the famous “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” tapisserie dial selected by Gerald Genta for the dial of the first Royal Oak in 1972 (reference 5402ST). Made by Geneva dial maker Stern, the dark blue “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” colour was obtained by adding black pigment no.50 to the protective varnish. The nuage or cloud effect was a chemical reaction produced by the small amount of black pigment poured into the liquid lacquer. Today, the distinctive in-house colour used on dials is obtained using

Introducing Gerald Charles Maestro Ultra-Thin and Chronograph Blue Dial
It takes a lot of pluck to establish a watch brand on one design alone. There again, if the design is by Gerald Genta, one of the most acclaimed and prolific watch designers of our time, things are a little different. Just think about Audemars Piguet's success riding on the back of Genta's indestructible 1972 design for the Royal Oak or Patek Philippe's successful run with the Nautilus. Gerald Charles, the brand founded by the late Gerald Genta in 2000, revolves exclusively around the Maestro, a flamboyant case design that returns today in two ultra-thin rose gold models with royal blue sunburst dials and a matching rubber strap. Another novelty is the incorporation of the hexagonal-shaped oscillating weight first appearing on the Maestro 8.0 Squelette, a feature that will be integrated into all new Gerald Charles watches. Who's WhoIt can be confusing, but Gerald Charles, the brand, was created by acclaimed watch designer Gerald Charles Genta (1931-2011). Having produced icons for coun

Longines Heritage Classic Black Sector Dial (Specs & Price)
Longines is well-known for being one of the most prolific brands when it comes to paying tribute to its past, and reissuing some of its most glorious vintage models. All positioned under the “Heritage” collection, there is one watch in this range that made quite some noise when introduced back in 2019, the Longines Heritage Classic Sector Dial. Compact, faithful, elegant and playing on 1930s inspirations, it was an immediate success. Following the silver edition, the winged hourglass?comes back this year with a new model. Meet the Longines Heritage Classic Black Sector Dial, and with the option for a cool beads of rice bracelet.The Longines Heritage Classic is a watch that boasts all the elements of a typical?1930s piece. Think Calatrava-styled case with stepped bezel, straight lugs, two-tone dial with a so-called sector, combining markers and Arabic numerals, clean hands and a central crosshair… No need to mention that such vintage watches are now highly sought-after

History of the Patek Philippe Calatrava Part 2 - Important Models Through Time - Monochrome Watches
Yesterday, we brought you Part. 1 of our History of the Patek Philippe Calatrava, looking back at where it all began: the Reference 96. That original 1932 model has become a design icon, not to mention the basis on which every other Calatrava reference has been modelled. Emphasising the Bauhaus concept of form follows function, the original Ref. 96 provided the blueprint for the ultimate dress watch, a blueprint that been replicated many, many times by both Patek Philippe and other brands. Today, we're taking a closer look at some of the notable Calatrava models that followed the Ref. 96, models that themselves have gone on to become extremely collectible. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, just the ones we thought to be the most emblematic, so please free to add any significant models you personally love in the comments below, and the reasons why they are important to you.Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 565 and Ref. 570 The Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 570As perfectly proport

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition - Hands-On, Price
Collaborations between watch brands and external designers or watch customizers are a growing thing in the industry, the idea being to infused a different take on the watch, less ‘horological’, more design-oriented. So what happens when TAG Heuer, the avant-garde brand known for its robust sports watches, meets Bamford Watch Department, the famous UK-based personalisation house? Well, it gives an original, overly-designed, slightly 1970s take on the brand’s dive watch, with an even more instrumental look. Here’s the bold and modern TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition.TAG Heuer and Bamford is a long-lasting love story. It all started when, in 2018, TAG Heuer and George Bamford (the man behind Bamford Watch Department) came together to create a special version of the Monaco Chronograph, a bold and unmistakable watch that made sensation. Bamford’s idea is to infuse a less traditional sense of design to classic pieces of the watchmaking industry. BWD&#