The Frederique Constant Classics Tourbillon Manufacture
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Frederique Constant remains among the youngest Swiss Manufactures. In its short history, however, the brand has become known for innovation. Offering in-house calibers and complications, Frederique Constant is constantly on our lips as a brand that offers considerable value and compelling packages. In celebration of 35 years, the folks behind FC have really outdone themselves, launching the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture!Rich historyFrederique Constant has much to celebrate in 2023. Not only is the brand in its 35th year, but 2023 also marks the first year it has exhibited at Watches and Wonders. During its relatively short history, Frederique Constant has d...
Hands-On: Charlie Paris Alliance Moon Phase
French small brands are slightly different, with sartorial nous and that certain “je ne sais quoi.” That almost-cliche term meaning “I don't know what,” or indefinability, is something I appreciate even more in our world of sameness. Sure, Charlie Paris does have some retro but modern Explorer-esque watches, like the knockout value-for-money 38mm Concordia. But the new Alliance is different and plays its sporty but dressy hand like a pro. Going hands-on with the Charlie Paris Alliance Moon Phase unexpectedly made me change my mind about moonphase complications.I’ve known Charlie Paris’s founder Adrien Sangle-Ferre for a few years, and the brand itself is n...
A Quick Hands-On With The New Cartier Prive Tank Normale
Cartier’s Prive collection is all about reimagining the classics of the past while focusing both on adapting them to current times and using mechanical movements. In recent years, the French maison already introduced re-editions of some of its most iconic watches. The majority of them are Tanks, like the Asymetrique, the Cintree, and last year’s Chinoise. This year, it was time for the Tank Normale to make its reappearance, and boy, did Cartier deliver!The Tank Louis Cartier?and the Must derivative might actually be the better-known Tanks by now. Those are the models with the more rounded lugs and sides. Many different versions, colors, and even solar-powered models have been lau...
Watches and Wonders 2024 The Ones That Got Away
Make no bones about it: Watches and Wonders 2024 is better than expected. In a year with some pretty understated predictions and low sales graphs, the brands didn’t disappoint to the point of causing a dreaded visual overload in the Palexpo halls. That’s where I come in, and it’s not the first time I’ve written this column.Unfortunately, this year, my coverage has been from the home office, which brings its pros and cons. Let’s not pretend I’d rather be here with a view over Oslo’s suburbia than fondling a gold Deepsea. But it helps me keep a (mostly) objective overview of the releases. And boy, there were some good ones this year. But even with our ...
PSA: Save The Vintage Gold Watches
If you haven’t been watching, gold prices have been on a tear over the past year. Currently, the metal is trading at an all-time high. For lovers of vintage watches made from the precious metal, it’s time to wake up and take action. When bidding at auction on an old gold watch, there’s a good chance that a rival bidder isn’t interested in the watch. That person is interested in the gold!Gold is currently trading at over US$2,300 per troy ounce. That’s the highest price ever, and many feel it will only continue to increase. Gold is a popular choice as a haven from fiat currencies. Even though it is priced in one of those currencies, many see it as the ultimate cu...
The Best Watches And Wonders 2025 Releases: Thomas's Picks
With the dust settling after this year's Watches and Wonders, it is time to pick our favorites. I spent countless hours preparing release articles, and a handful of watches stuck with me. In my view, these are the best Watches and Wonders 2025 releases. Just like last year, I picked a Cartier. Unlike last year, however, my other two favorites are from Parmigiani and Angelus.I pondered whether to put the Land-Dweller on my list. I love the case and bracelet, and the new caliber is also impressive. Unfortunately, I feel the dials are so off-putting that I would never aspire to own one. That means it could not get more than an honorable mention here. So, with that out of the way, let's explore...
Hands-On With The 34mm A. Lange & Sohne 1815
One of the understated hits this year at Watches and Wonders was the 34mm A. Lange & Sohne 1815. If this is the peak of the trend for slight watches, then we “small-wristers” have been well rewarded. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the two variants of this charming dress watch.The longstanding 38.5mm 1815 from A. Lange & Sohne doesn’t exactly qualify as a behemoth. Still, the brand saw an opportunity to offer a smaller watch. Indeed, appealing to those who enjoy a more discreet look on the wrist isn’t the worst idea. Plus, a new 34mm case works on a smaller wrist and works for women. As we’ll see, though, the latest 1815 wasn’t only about ...
Monster Watches
Who hyped the large watches?Wil @ Paneristi posted a link on Monster watches! The article is a bit dated, but not posted before here ??Click here for the article....
Longines Conquest Heritage 1954-2014 Review
Longines Conquest HeritageLongines seems to be spot on with the Heritage models that they are introducing. We recently did a comparison review between the original Longines Flagship Heritage and an original Longines Flagship (you can read it here), but it seems that Longines is taking the release of the Conquest Heritage a step further and makes it a real tribute by even using the 35mm case size of the original version. That’s right, 35mm. It is quite daring even, for a watch brand to release a men’s watch in 35mm these days.Although we appreciate the efforts of a lot of watch brands to create something retro, to use ingredients of watches from the past to create something new, t...
Speedy Tuesday The Speedmaster Mark 4.5 Financed By The Spy Who Loved Me
Nick, Speedmaster enthusiast and avid Speedy Tuesday reader, fell in love with Omega’s Speedmaster after he watched the 1969 moon landing as a teenager while being in France. When he turned 21, he received a ’71 Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Moonwatch’ as a birthday gift from his dad.Unfortunately, a couple of years later (1974) when Nick worked in the movie industry in the United Kingdom, the watch was stolen on the set of Intimate Reflections. While this movie – as Nick puts is – was an infinitely forgettable film, it did launch his career in the industry. Besides his watch, also his brand new Nikon F2 camera was stolen from the set.Nick explains that ...
#TBT Breitling 809 Cosmonaute
In this week's #TBT, we take a look at an absolute classic, but one that's decidedly niche in its execution: the Breitling 809 Cosmonaute. The Cosmonaute is certainly one of the brand's better known models, but that's likely due to its familial resemblance to one Breitling's most famous creations: the Navitimer. Today, we'll explore the model, its significance and, of course, I'll prattle on a bit, but this time about why instant gratification is such a rare and beautiful thing. T-minus 321it's #TBT time on Fratello Watches!The Breitling 809 Cosmonaute head onI found the Breitling 809 Cosmonaute by accident…As promised, let's start with a ramble because I think it helps demonstrate wha...
Review of Geneva May 2017 Auctions
Our special contributor Sacha Davidoff is reporting from Geneva on the upcoming auctions in May. He will highlight the watches from several auctions that caught his attention. Without further ado, let’s have a look.Geneva May 2017 AuctionsPHILLIPS in association with BACS & RUSSOBack for their fifth Geneva watch auction, Aurel Bacs & Livia Russo in association with Phillips auction house continue to dazzle the auction scene with their drool-inducing May catalog. This team continues to raise the stakes and is relentless in their hold of the top position among the watch auction houses. They have also announced they will host a thematic Heuer auction in November this year curated ...
Garrick Watch Company Unveils S3 Watch
We all have changing priorities in these times of uncertainty, reassessing what's truly valuable. When stripped of the excesses, our possessions start to mean something different to us. We also see a simpler existence and what we could do without. No, not the watch collection - don't you dare. But I bet you know only very few pieces are so precious you acquired them for keeps.This brings us to Garrick Watch Company, who is not dependent on making more but rather on making less. They offer small-scale limited series as well as watch craft and care services. The team has the ability to customise existing watches into something personal, thanks to the privilege of their own dedicated facility i...
Top 5 Unusual Watch Nicknames
Pajamas, Vampires, or Snow Whites. Get some popcorn, welcome to our rundown of five bizarre watch nicknames. Which one is your favorite?Some of the watches you might have never seen or even heard of. Me neither. I probably would have forgotten about one or two of the listed watches if it weren't for the idea to write this article that I had about a year ago. I started writing down all the quirky nicknames I came across to entertain us all a bit. Serious or not, all the nicknames deserve their moment in the spotlight. Bear in mind that we avoided notoriously known nicknames derived from comic book heroes, sodas, or famous ambassadors on purpose. We decided to throw in a couple that might surp...
The Baltic Aquascaphe Dual Crown Is A Diver In A Legendary Compressor Case
The compressor case was a patented case design by Ervin Piquerez, a swiss case maker (EPSA) who sold his cases to a number of different brands such as Hamilton, Bulova, and Longines. Now, sixty years after the invention of the case, Baltic comes up with the Aquascaphe Dual Crown.Ah, the beauty of simplicity. The trusted compressor case bars hostile water trying to invade the watch case with a technically clever construction that is quite straightforward. The case uses a sealing method with an O-ring that becomes more water-tight the deeper the watch goes, because the building external pressure of the water compresses the O-ring further. And when the watch is out of the water the O-ring doesn...
Omega Introduces Seamaster Diver 300M Tokyo 2020
Having initially been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been announced for 2021. Following last year's limited edition Olympic Games releases, Omega just has announced the Seamaster Diver 300M Tokyo 2020.?Exactly one year ago Omega introduced two modern sports watches - the ichimatsu-moyo-inspired Aqua Terra and the Planet Ocean with the red lollipop central seconds hand. Both models turned out to be a remarkable success even though Tokyo 2020 has been carried over to this year. Will this Seamaster be as successful as its predecessors? Let’s see what it’s got going for it…The inspiration behind the design?Just like the Aqua Terra, th...
The Batavi Architect: What Do You Get For $475?
Batavi has been very successful with its Kosmopoliet GMT watch and is now offering a new watch: The Batavi Architect. With just three days left in their Kickstarter project, we thought it’s time to show you what you’ll get for $399 (~ $475).Batavi’s Kickstarter project already reached beyond its goal to get things started. That means that this watch will happen, but also that you have still three days left to pledge for this Batavi Architect. After the Kickstarter campaign, the price of the watch will go up to $529 (~ $630). What does Batavi have to offer with its Architect watch? Let’s find out.Batavi ArchitectThe founder of the Dutch brand Batavi came by our office ...
Watch Giveaway: Axios Flagship Is A Fruity Dive Watch Looking For Love
Sometimes, truth be told, I get a bit of stick from my peers for supporting some smaller brands. I’m not a complete micro-head. Far from it. I like a select few brands that I feel do something worthwhile and I support them fervently. I’m a sucker for execution and flair. Normally, for a brand to command my attention, it has to do something either very well or very “wow”. The watch I have here for you today is not particularly original but it is a well-made daily diver with just the right amount of watermelon freshness to catch my eye. I give you (quite literally) the Axios Flagship.I rarely do this, but I’m going to start with the closed case back of this 40mm d...
Casio to release their first G-Shock smartwatch, the GSW-H1000
Just before the warm blanket named Watches & Wonders covered the watch galaxy, Casio brought the important news that there will be a G-Shock smartwatch. We, as ardent G-Shock lovers, waited until this moment to write about it, though. Why? Because we didn’t want this exciting development to get buried under the deluge of luxury watch news that hit the site last week. This new (rather impressive) model is known as reference GSW-H1000, and initially, it’ll be available in three colors.Of course, G-Shock watches that connect to your smartphone and thus become a “sort of smart” that way, already exist. But a real smartwatch is a different thing. Such a watch will prov...
#TBT Avia Ajustor Another Externally Micro-Regulated Wonder
Saying this watch is a keeper is an understatement. The Avia Ajustor, with its witty balance spring micro-regulation system, has real museum potential if you ask me. This tiny ray of sunshine proves (once again!) that you can go super-low budget to score an unusual piece that hides genuine watchmaking spirit.When I spotted a crazy Sperina Regulator a few years ago, I had no idea this “stunt acquisition” would evolve into an entirely new category of vintage watches in my collection. The idea behind self-regulators - watches that allowed external regulation of the balance spring - was to let the owner fine-tune the precision of the watch movement.No watchmaker neededHistorically, m...