Watches NEWS
Hands-On IWC Portugieser Chronograph Blue Panda IW371620
If there’s one watch that can be called a classic at IWC, it has to be the Portugieser Chronograph. One of the earliest models to be launched after the rebirth of the range, it succeeded the Portugieser Rattrapante with a simpler movement but almost identical design. And since its launch in 1998, with the exception of minimal design evolutions and a new movement, it hasn’t changed a bit – and for the best. Recently, however, IWC presented a new duo of Portugieser watches with Panda blue dials. And now that we’ve managed to see it in the metal, I can tell you that there’s a lot to love in what appeared at first as a negligible upgrade.?Let’s start with a brief historical reminder. The original IWC Portugieser was born in the 1930s, following the request of two Portuguese merchants (named Rodrigues and Teixeira), who wanted the precision of IWC’s deck clocks in wristwatch format for sailing. But that’s not what really matters here. The othe
Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II // Introducing, Specs & Price
During the LVMH Watch Week in Dubai, Hublot has unveiled its Big Bang Integral collection with integrated bracelets and the third iteration of tattoo artist Maxime Buchi's Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II chronograph. The overall design and functionality of the Sang Bleu II are identical to the two existing models, but the colour scheme for 2020 is matte blue, the same blue used by the tattoo artist for his creations. An audacious (to say the least) combination of geometry and volume, this latest Sang Blue II chronograph is a limited edition of 100 pieces in King Gold and 200 in titanium.The “it” tattoo artistCollaborations, partnerships, limited editions, bespoke editions, designer watch straps, you name it… Many watch brands are on the hunt for originality and the highly desired cool' factor that will attract millennials. Since its eruption on the market in 2005, the Big Bang collection has been all about audacious, over-the-top, contemporary and often explosive design c
Richard Mille RM 57-01 Phoenix and Dragon - Monochrome-Watches
Alongside the traditional (well, if we use the denomination ‘traditional’ for RM) Richard Mille?watches, all inspired by racing and using some crazy materials – remember the nano-tubes used for the dial of the RM 022 – or amazing complications – see the G-sensor of the RM 36-01 – the brand also has a more distinguished collection, inspired by jewelry and the art of engraving. For this edition of Watch & Wonders, they introduce a follow-up of the RM 057 (that we recently photographed), being the?Richard Mille RM 57-01 Tourbillon Phoenix and Dragon – Jackie Chan.For this RM 57-01, Richard Mille takes his inspiration in the classical Asian myths – the?Phoenix, a supernatural bird, and the Dragon.?Created from 3N rose gold, these legendary figures inhabiting the interior of the movement are carved and incised entirely by hand. Special miniature tools had to be made for the specific artistry required to realise these two creatures. To incr
Introducing: The New and Updated Oris Aquis Chronograph
The latest Oris Aquis Chronograph doesn't reinvent the wheel and certainly doesn't need to, but it brings a welcomed refresh to the Aquis chrono that follows in the footsteps of the updated 2024 Aquis Date. A noticeable visual change is the arrangement of the three sub-dials, now in a smiley face format (as Oris puts it) also known as tri-compax. Previous Aquis chronographs are known to be large at 46mm (with a height of over 18mm), so the tamed dimensions of this new model are definitely more mainstream.?The stainless steel case is 43.5mm in diameter and about 17mm in thickness, which is still far from compact but surely more wearable than before, and the unidirectional rotating bezel has a blue ceramic insert. A double-domed AR sapphire crystal protects the dial and there's a mineral glass exhibition case back. An expansive guard partially covers the screw-down crown and pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock, and water resistance is rated at 300 metres. The watch comes fitted with a tapered thr
Introducing The New 37mm Tudor Black Bay 54 79000N
There’s no doubt the Black Bay collection is Tudor’s biggest success, and a true bread-and-butter range for the brand. It started in 2012 with the Black Bay 79220R and 11 years later the shine of the Black Bay doesn’t seem to fade. New to the range for 2023 is the introduction of a Black Bay that is very close to Tudor’s very first dive watch, and is aptly named the Tudor Black Bay 54.Tudor brings a new case size to the Black Bay collection, as the new Black Bay 54 shrinks down to 37mm in size. The steel case falls in line with the overall design of the range, with a mostly brushed finish. The rotating bezel is fitted with an aluminium insert in black, which now lacks a minute graduation to tie it in with the 1954 original. On top there is a sapphire crystal, with a solid caseback around the back. It respects the 200m water resistance of its bigger brothers, which is good. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
[Rating:(5 / 5 stars)]
