A Personal Take on the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Sandblasted Steel - Monochrome Watches
No need to hide the truth, the?Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic was one of the highlights of 2017 – if not the most impressive watch (ultra-complicated ones excluded) of the year. Not only it is ultra-thin, but it is also ultra-bold, modernly designed, inspired and innovative. Certainly, some other brands created even thinner models (like this one) but not with the same stylistic?audacity. First presented in titanium, I thought I had found my perfect watch. But that was before Baselworld 2018 and the new?Sandblasted Steel version. Does it change much? Well, the answer is yes… and no.?Pink gold, titanium, steel – make your choice!I have to confess that when it comes to watches, my favourites are sports watches, modern watches and iconic watches (or let’s say classics). I’m not fond of vintage watches, not because I don’t find them appealing but mainly because I wear my watches intensively. I’m not the kind of guy to take great care. For this rea

Hands-On: The Stealthy Bell & Ross BR-X5 Black Titanium
For a brand that has consolidated its image on tool watches inspired by cockpit instruments, the choice of material forms an integral part of the identity of its watches. The BR-X5, the larger, more resilient, more radical brother of the BR-05 luxury sports watch, returns this year with a new lightweight titanium case. Still delivering the same time, date, and power reserve indications as the first BR-X5, the matte grey titanium case gives the watch an understated yet more powerful technical look.The launch of the BR-05 in 2019 marked a turning point in Bell & Ross' trajectory as the brand's first luxury sports watch with the much-touted, but often hard to define, urban' touch. Sticking to the round dial in a square case' design with four screws on the bezel that is the backbone of this brand, the mission was to tame its dashboard instrument-watch spirit and make it more chic. To do so, the case was reworked with more refined, rounder angles and fitted with an integrated bracelet.

Introducing: Seagull's $3,500 Split-Second Chronograph, The Most Accessible Rattrapante on the Market
When you think of split-second or rattrapante chronographs, you immediately picture high-end watches from Vacheron Constantin or Patek Philippe. Finding an accessible rattrapante chronograph, at least new on the market, is not an easy task, especially if you consider Swiss or European watch manufacturers. But something from the other side of the world is about to change that. In late December 2024, Seagull, the large movement and watch producer from China, celebrated its 70th anniversary. As part of a commemorative collection of complex watches, there was something fairly intriguing: the Seagull Split-Second Chronograph Limited, a 3.5K dollar watch that is not only China’s first rattrapante chronograph but very possibly the most accessible of its kind on the market now.For many years, the concept of a mechanical rattrapante chronograph was reserved for high-end watchmakers and sports stopwatches and hardly something accessible to a wider audience. Fragile and complex to develop a

Hands-On: The All-New Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer
Slightly overlooked and possibly in the shadows of the classic Seamaster Diver 300M, the Planet Ocean is the most capable collection of dive watches in Omega’s range, comprising models from 600m up to 6000m water-resistance (without counting the all-mighty Ultra-Deep that survived the Mariana Trench). Born in 2005, it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and we can possibly expect a few surprises coming from Bienne. And the first one to emerge from the depths is this unprecedented take on the powerful Deep Black collection, the first PO to receive a world time complication. Here’s the brand-new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer.?The worldtimer function isn’t new to Omega, which has been using its in-house Calibre 8938 within the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection since 2017. In the same vein, the Seamaster Planet Ocean, despite being an ultra-focused dive watch capable of withstanding incredible depths, also had its fair share of complications, rangi

Seven watches perfectly fit for the upcoming summer
Temperatures are rising, the sun is out earlier and brighter every day, birds are chirping their merry songs again, and people are getting into a more relaxed state of mind. Yes, summer is fast approaching! It's only May, and we have a bit of time to kill before we can enjoy a much-deserved summer holiday, so plenty of time for some watch shopping. Today we're looking at some of the best watches for this coming summer. And for the occasion, we've capped the budget at EUR 2,000, a level that is attainable to most. Here are seven sub-2k watches perfect for the summer!Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200M NB6021We start things off with the refreshingly humble and honest Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200M NB6021. Quite the name for such a simple yet excellent little diver, right? Starting at EUR 650, it is the most affordable of the bunch, but it comes with pretty impressive specs. It has a 41mm wide Super Titanium case with Duratect hardening, a glossy bezel insert, a decent mechan