Tudor Heritage Black Bay Steel And Gold
BaselWorld kicked off with a product presentation by Tudor. Their event, always on the Tuesday before BaselWorld starts, revealed their new chronograph with in-house caliber MT5813. However, today they showed us some more new timepieces, including this Tudor Heritage Black Bay steel and gold. Let’s have a closer look.Tudor Heritage Black Bay Steel and GoldRight before BaselWorld started, I wondered what Tudor would come up with. I wouldn’t have guessed a new chronograph with in-house movement, but I also didn’t expect a bi-color watch to happen in the Heritage Black Bay collection. My fear was that Tudor would be doomed to keep the Heritage Black Bay alive each year by intr...
OMEGA 1957 Trilogy Limited Editions Railmaster, Seamaster 300, Speedmaster'57
In 1957, Omega introduced three watches for professional use: the Railmaster for scientists and engineers, the Seamaster 300 for divers and the Speedmaster for sports, race car drivers and engineers as well. Now, 60 years later, Omega felt the time was right to bring hommage to these watches. Let us introduce you to the 60th anniversary limited editions of the Railmaster, Seamaster 300 and Speedmaster.Holy Trinity of OmegaThe rumor machine started a while ago already, will there be a re-edition of the Speedmaster CK2915? What about the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster? Those are also 60 years old. Very true, and of course Omega did not forget about that. You don’t need to be psychic to see...
Drive de Cartier 'Under A Raging Moon'
Last January, at the SIHH in Geneva, Cartier launched two new ‘Drive de Cartier’ models. Two models that, despite the name, not have that much in common besides the shape of the case and the large blued hands.?Drive de Cartier Moon PhasesOne is the ‘Drive de Cartier Extra Flat‘, the watch that made headlines, as soon as it was presented, a stunning dress watch in white- or pink gold. And the other one is the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases' that we're having here this week, a watch which is also not to be sneezed at.The ‘Moon Phases' model shares the typical details with the earlier ‘Drive de Cartier‘ models, that were launched last year. For instance t...
The Tudor Black Bay GMT the Baselworld 2018 Shocker
There's no doubt about it, Baselworld 2018 is the year of the GMT for the group. The flagship brand dropped a new steel Pepsi version of the aviator's watch, gave the white gold Pepsi version a blue dial to help differentiate things, and even brought back the root beer bezel on both gold and bi-metal variants. With its more approachable understudy, though, people have been wondering if and when a watch with GMT function would finally debut. Well, with the introduction of the new Tudor Black Bay GMT, that day is here.Tudor kicked off Baselworld 2018 the night before its annual press conference with a video showing a new series of automatic, dressier watches called the 1926 line. Tudor did li...
The New Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight: 39mm and a Thinner Case
At Baselworld 2018, Tudor showed us a number of new watches. There's a new Black Bay GMT with a Pepsi-esque bezel that we will cover shortly, but the watch that stood out to our team was a bit of a surprise: the new Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight.To be honest, the proliferation of the Black Bay lineup since its introduction in 2012 has been nothing short of voluminous. There are models with dates, without dates, bi-color, PVD, bronze, and even a chronograph that debuted last year. So, this year, when the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight showed up on the screen during the annual press conference, we assumed that the model was nothing more than a color variant using an existing case and movement. Clea...
Exciting Changes with the Breitling Baselworld 2018 Novelties
Today was press day at Baselworld 2018 and we took the opportunity to sit down with Breitling to see some of their newest releases. There's been a lot happening with the brand since the arrival of Georges Kern as CEO. Examples of this are the embracing of the brand's rich history, the deletion of the winged logo and the return of the script Band familiar Breitling font. With it, we've seen some new models announced such as the Breitling Navitimer 8 chronographs a 3-hand model, a chronograph with in-house B-01 movement and an ETA 7750-powered version. Today, we'll take a brief look at just some of the newly announced Breitling Baselworld 2018 pieces.Navitimer CollectionWithin the Breitling Ba...
Tutima: Elegant Newcomer
Tutima Glashutte premieres a 40-mm model in Midnight GreyThe Saxon One M family welcomes a new member: after variants in Steel Blue and Maroon Brown, Tutima presents a self-winding watch in Midnight Grey with the line's typical 40-mm case at Baselworld.The midsize collection offers entry into the luxury class with watches that are optimally sized also for slimmer wrists.For more information visit https://tutima.com/Masculine Tutima midsize model: 40-mm stainless steel case; automatic Caliber Tutima 330; date indication; hour, minute, central second-hand; pressure tested to ten bar; Midnight Grey dial; sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides; exhibition see-through case ba...
Hands-On: New Seiko Sumo Prospex Diver
Today, we sat down to take a look at the new Seiko Sumo Prospex Diver at Baselworld 2019: an update to a fan favorite.Sitting down to take a look at all the new models within the Seiko portfolio takes some serious concentration.? The number of introductions can be hard to keep up with and there’s a lot of detail to remember.? When we sit down, we go through Grand Seiko, all of the re-editions, the special editions, the limited models, the models supporting some sort of organization, and it truly goes on.? Trust us, we love it that Seiko brings so much to Baselworld each and every year, but sometimes we crave some good, honest pieces without a story.? Today’s introduction is such ...
Hands-On: Seiko SLA033 1970 Diver
At Baselworld 2019, the new Seiko SLA033 1970 Diver debuted: a modern, yet faithful reinterpretation of the collectible 6105-8110/9.We live in decent times where Seiko brings us a wide range of new models each and every year at Baselworld.? They’ve also now set a trend of reissuing modernized, but true re-editions of divers from their back catalog.? Two years ago, it was the SLA017 in celebration of the legendary “62MAS” and last year we saw the SLA025 in the form of the hi-beat 6159-7000.? This year, we’re fortunate to see a watch in the mold of the 6105-8110/9 (otherwise known as the “Captain Willard” from its place on the arm of actor Martin Sheen in?Ap...
Hands-On: The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726/1A
Nothing really new under the Sun with this Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726/1A, but you bet that they need to create (another) waiting list for it. We’re talking about the Nautilus with annual calendar and moon phases display.It is no secret that I love and respect the Patek Philippe Nautilus. The original reference 3700/1A being my favourite by far, with the original monobloc case construction (porthole) and caliber 28-255C movement. A close second is a watch that was introduced 30 years later and stayed very close to the original design, the reference 5711/1A. I did a comparison article between the original Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1A and the (current) reference 5711/1A here.Patek Ph...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Grand Seiko SBGH269
In this Sunday morning column, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. As springtime breaks across Europe, we’re taking a decidedly unseasonal route to celebrate: The Grand Seiko SBGH269, inspired by the autumn.Ah, the season of death. What’s not to love? As an adult, it is sheer bliss. School begins. Everything goes quiet. The gamboling optimism of spring end...
March Mania Sweet Sixteen Omega Vs. Patek Philippe And Grand Seiko Vs. Audemars Piguet Vote Now!
March Mania marches on! When we started the competition, we had 96 watches. Now we’re at the stage when the last 16 will be scythed in half to leave just eight still standing. At that point, the writers will have just one watch remaining each. So today, for the very last time, the watches that started in the preliminaries together will go head-to-head for the division champion crown. Where will your votes fall?We’re at the business end of the groups now. Gerard and RJ both have just two watches left. We need you to pick your favorite in this quick-fire round. Tomorrow we will have the last two competitors from Mike and Tomas’s groups before Ben and Bert step into the fray o...
New Watch Alert Doxa Sub 300 Carbon In Ten New Iterations
Last year was all about the Sub 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers at Doxa. It was the brand's first model in its all-new forged carbon case. A limited-edition of only 300 pieces, that innovative Sub 300 did not only have a carbon case but a bezel and dial too. Last week, Doxa released an array of new Sub 300 Carbon models, six to be exact, in ten versions.Whether you want a piece that stands out or fancy a more down-low color, Doxa’s got you covered. From the classic orange to a daring turquoise, the line offers a diver for everyone. And the best thing about it; they're non-limited versions.LineageThe new Doxa Sub 300 Carbon is the continuation of what was started last year by the Carbon ...
Longines Starts 2021 Strong With The Avigation BigEye Titanium Watch
Longines has been killing recently. I mean it! The brand from Saint-Imier had a pretty good 2020, and it seems pretty intent on keeping that momentum going in 2021. The well-received Spirit collection knocked it out of the park and won plaudits from across the industry. The Heritage line of watches also saw a bit of a makeover with some stunning results. Longines was on a roll! Now, as we enter into the second month of 2021, Longines has dropped another winner onto us. A watch we possibly didn’t know we needed: enter the Longines Avigation BigEye in titanium.The Avigation BigEye is an instantly recognizable watch from Longines, and it has enjoyed a successful few years since its releas...
The Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chronograph Can Land A Plane
When I was a young watchmaker, the industry seemed enormous. There was so much I didn't know. There were so many options available to me. It seemed impossible at the time to choose. My career and collecting habits could have gone in any direction. And while those habits have evolved over time, I will never forget where they began. They began with a Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Automatic Chronograph and the honest belief that complexity was king.If you were to open my watch boxes now and assess the fare within, you might well accuse me of being a bit boring. Perhaps a bit safe. Several NOMOS watches, a demure Speedmaster, a selection of dive watches that do not stray too far from any of the...
Collector's Story: Aashdin And His Omega Speedmaster 145.022-76
We like to talk to watch collectors and enthusiasts about their watches, and as you know, we’ve got a small thing for Speedmasters here as well. We’re happy to publish your story about your Speedmaster, the connection you have with the watch, or simply why you love it. Whether you have one Speedmaster or 100, you’re all welcome to share your stories with us and the Speedy Tuesday community.We’d like to introduce Aashdin Billimoria from Bombay, a watch collector, author, and archivist for over 30 years. He’s currently working on a book on vintage watches, but today, we talk to him about his Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-76. Aashdin started collecting wat...
M.A.D.1 RED Now Available To MB&F's Enemies Too
The year 2021 was one of disappointments, chief of which was the continuation of the dreaded you-know-what. For some, though, the ultimate let-down was being ineligible to buy the M.A.D.1 timepiece from MB&F - although it's not an MB&F. Confused? Well, so were we when the first M.A.D.Edition watches began appearing on social media in June 2021. Following this stealth launch was a tidal wave of demand that outweighed the intended audience and distribution. This year, those hoping to own a watch blessed with Busser's creative (figurative) juices are in luck. The M.A.D.1 RED is the production version of the original M.A.D.Edition, previously only available to MB&F’s friends an...
Fratello On Air: Talking Hamilton With Mike And Balazs
Fratello On Air is back with another brand-focused episode. We truly promise that we’re not on a Swatch Group parade, but we will hit our third marque within the portfolio. Hamilton is our topic today with Balazs and Mike on the – erm – mic. Enjoy it because the guys really enjoy this brand....
Sternglas Marus Sport The Pepsi Max Of Watches (2022)
This isn’t the first time I’ve had a Sternglas Marus on my wrist. The German brand’s dive-inspired beast is a hulking monster that punches in a different category from the rest of the line. Considering the brand is best known for its Bauhaus-inspired minimalism, the Marus is surely an odd duck. With proportions that suggest a tool watch, but an unlumed bezel, it confused many upon its release. However, while this watch presents as a dive watch, it is something else entirely. This is a reference point. An homage to a genre. And now, for the first time, it is available in a new flavor - Pepsi!The Marus Sport “Basalt Gray” differs from the regular Marus line in col...
Lex Rediscovers His Long-Forgotten Sir Swatch
If only I could recall what I was thinking back in 1986. I honestly don't know what made me buy the Sir Swatch (SUOB169) that year. Unfortunately, my memory is not as good as that of Bret Easton Ellis. The author’s most recent book The Shards, an autofiction novel about a group of privileged Los Angeles high school friends set in 1981, reads like he experienced everything yesterday. Back in 1986, I was in high school too, but my situation differed from Ellis’s quite a bit. First, I didn't drive a Mercedes convertible, and second, there was no serial killer nicknamed The Trawler roaming the town I lived in. I did like preppy stuff, though. I wore polo shirts and Top-Siders, for in...