Audemars Piguet and the Code 11.59 Automatic Chronograph

Audemars Piguet has introduced a new watch line called Code 11.59 at the beginning of this year. Once again, the watch manufacturer was faced with the challenge of setting new standards. From the very beginning, the company has been working with the best craftsmen, who perform their profession at the highest level. Nevertheless, Audemars Piguet is constantly trying to penetrate new fields of highest craftsmanship and to advance the technical perfection of its own procedures and production standards.
With 13 models, including four complications, code 11.59 represents one of the most comprehensive launches in the history of Audemars Piguet. Also, for the first time the Manufacture is presenting a collection designed for both men and women.

The selfwinding chronograph’s deep blue or black lacquered dial offers a perfect mirror finish. The pink or white gold case echoes the polished gold curved indexes and singular numeral at 12 o’clock as well as the raised logo and long stick hands. The chronograph counters are circled by gold threads with polished V angles, a difficult finishing on lacquered dials. At the 3 o’clock position you will find the subdial for the hours, at 9 o’clock the one for the minutes. The small second is placed at 6 o’clock and at 4.30 Audemars Piguet has lodged the date window. The latter blends in seamlessly in the background of the dial.
Audemars Piguet has lacquered the inner bezel – depending on the version – in blue or black. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal which was specially designed for this collection. It is complex, double curved and glareproofed and with its arched profile it embodies the watch’s contemporary design. The glass’s internal surface is shaped like a dome, while its external surface is vertically curved from 6 to 12 o’clock. Its shape perfectly integrates the extra-thin bezel and extends from edge to edge. The play of depth, perspective and light creates a unique visual experience.

The new in-house calibre 4401 symbolizes Audemars Piguet’s constant quest for innovation. This calibre is endowed with an instant-jump date indication, integrated column wheel chronograph and flyback function that enables to re-start the chronograph without stopping and resetting it first. It has 70 hours of power reserve, as well as a dedicated pink gold beautifully openworked oscillating weight invisible through the sapphire crystal case back. This calibre also presents reinforced chronometry.
The movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vibrations per hour and consists of 367 individual parts.

The Selfwinding Chronograph is housed in a 41-mm-case with a water-resistance of 3 atm and is fitted with a hand-stitched large square scale blue or black alligator strap.

Ready for Take-Off with the Primus Carrier Pilot

German watchmanufacturer Hanhart, located in the beautiful Black Forest, extends ist Primus Pilot collection with a new, modern pilot’s chronograph in a rich royal blue: the Primus Carrier Pilot.
Hanhart is known for the production of pilot chronographs. Throughout history, the manufacture has also built watches for the navy. The new Primus Carrier Pilot combines those two elements – air and water. The name of the watch is reminiscent of the aircraft carriers stationed all over the world, on which military aircraft take off and land. Landing on one of these warships is one of the most demanding and dangerous aviation operations; even more so in bad weather or at night. The Primus Carrier Pilot is the ideal companion for these manoeuvres: perfect readability day and night, matt housing without reflections and flexible strap lugs for maximum wearing comfort.

The blue colour of the dial and bracelet is modelled on the depths of the ocean, while the hands and indexes reflect the design of a pilot’s chronograph. The blue colour in combination with the grey matt steel case gives the Carrier Pilot a truly unique look. And despite the modern, simple design, the watch still features the typical and highly popular Hanhart features.
As with the historic models from the 1930s, Hanhart relies on the proven and popular bicompaxe design: the subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock not only provide a balanced appearance, but are also very useful, since they are displaying the small second at 9 o’clock and the 30-minute stop at 3 o’clock.
Essential distinguishing features of Hanhart chronographs are the corrugated bezel with its red index point and the striking red pusher in the 4 o’clock position. The case comes in a diameter of 44 mm at a height of 15 mm and is water resistant up to 10 bar.

Inside the Primus Carrier Pilot the HAN3809 is working, an automatic chronograph movement. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of at least 42 hours.
The watch is worn on a blue textile strap matching the beautiful colour of the dial.

André Belfort Sirène: Feminine Elegance in Ceramic

André Belfort is known for making stunning wristwatches powered solely and exclusively by automatic movements – not only in the men’s watches, but in those for women as well. This is a rare feat, and something all watch enthusiasts (especially the female ones) would love to see more of. So today, we are introducing the André Belfort Sirène, a beautiful ceramic wristwatch, made for both sexes.

The André Belfort Sirène is a big and beautiful ceramic wristwatch, which comes in two basic versions – in white or black ceramic. The case measures 41 mm in diameter, which is slightly on the bigger side regarding unisex watches. But since big watches are still totally en vogue, it’s a size, most women should be comfortable with. The case is water resistant up to 5 atm which means, that the Sirène will play well in all every day scenarios. But since the ceramic case comes with a stainless steel case, it packs quite a punch and is maybe not as light as one might expect, so be prepared.

The dial combines a variety of subdials with big, polished, applied Roman numerals. Hours, minutes and seconds are displayed by central hands, equipped with lume. At 3 o’clock you’ll find the subdial of the month, at 9 o’clock the subdial for the day of the week. Now, the subdial at 6 o’clock is slightly larger and comes not only with a day/night display via a beautiful sun and moon disc but with a 24-hour-display. At the 4.30 position, André Belfort has wedged a small date window between the numerals.
The colors on the dial mirror the colors used on the bezel, crown and pushers – stainless steel, gold or pink gold, which creates an overall handsome and consistent look. The dial is protected by a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and framed by a beautiful bezel, fitted with a ceramic inlay.

Like mentioned above, the André Belfort Sirène is powered by an automatic movement, the calibre AB-7110. It provides a power-reserve of approximately 38 hours.

The ceramic case of the André Belfort Sirène is completed by a ceramic bracelet which means, that this watch is especially easy to clean and maintain. Ceramic watches tend to feel good – and look good – for a very long time.

The new Mido Baroncelli Midnight Blue

With the new Baroncelli Midnight Blue watches, Mido is commemorating its horological heritage. This watch is offered as a pair and is thus part of the Baroncelli line. Just perfect for all the couples who want to express their affiliation with two matching timepieces.

Mido has finished the deep blue dials of the Baroncelli Midnight Blue with a satin sunburst finish. The women’s model features diamond hour-markers, which further enhance the intensity of the blue hue. The Dauphine-shaped rose gold hour and minute hands are faceted, as are the beautiful lancet-shaped indexes of the men’s version.
There’s just one small complaint we have about the Baroncelli Midnight Blue and that is, that the dark blue dials are quite rudely interrupted by the white date windows at the 4.30 o’clock position. The dials are protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides.

The round cases of the two timepieces are measuring 29 mm for the ladies‘ version and 38 mm for the men’s version. They are made of stainless steel with a rose gold PVD coating and are water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bar or 50 metres.

The two Baroncelli Midnight Blue are powered by an automatic movement. In the women’s model, the ETA 2671 operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It provides a power reserve of 38 hours. Mido has equipped the men’s watch with the Calibre 80 (based on the ETA C07.611), which provides a power reserve of up to 80 hours. However, it operates at a slightly lower frequency with 21,600 vibrations per hour. Both movements are decorated with Geneva stripes and the company logo. Mido has equipped both watches with a sapphire crystal back so the movements and its finish can be admired accordingly.

Mido has fitted both models with a Vachette leather strap in a semi-matte crocodile look.
In addition to the two Baroncelli Midnight Blue watches with rose gold coating, Mido also offers the pair in a stainless steel version.

Ochs und Junior Does It Again

The watches made by Ochs und Junior look very simple and lack much of the usual pomp of luxury watches. At the same time, they present an extremely sophisticated approach to modern watchmaking that emphasises functionality for itself. But this does not mean that watchmakers as well as watch lovers do not absolutely adore the puristic wristwatches.
The latest addition to the Ochs und Junior collection, the two time zones + date, also embodies the manufacturer’s strictly uncluttered design philosophy.

The two time zones + date shows hours and minutes in two different time zones, the date in your home timezone, running seconds and the power reserve. The big innovation in this watch is how Ochs und Junior has decided to implement the second time zone. Instead of adding an extra hand, Ochs and Junior opted for a central hour disc and replaced the traditional hour hand with one with a wedge-shaped opening. The main hand shows the local time, while the opening frames the hours of the second time zone.
The spiral date display, which runs around the outer rim of the dial, consists of 30+1 holes that are easy and intuitive to read. The small disc at twelve o’clock indicates the power reserve (the dot pointing to the right, when the watch is fully wound, and pointing to the left when the power reserve gets empty), while the small disc at six o’clock indicates the running seconds.

The Ochs und Junior two time zones + date display is powered by the Ulysse Nardin UN-118 basic movement, to which only ten additional components have been added to implement the date display and the GMT time. This automatic movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of up to 60 hours.
All settings are made via the crown.

The two time zones + date comes in a 42mm titanium or PVD-coated titanium or silver case. And like everything else – the dial, bracelet and the colour of the Super-LumiNova – the case material can be changed to fit the individual taste of the buyer. This is a feature, Ochs und Junior offers for all its watches, how awesome is that?
The case is water resistant up to 10 atm.

The Ochs und Junior two time zones + datum is as much fun as the other models made by the manufacturer. It is always exciting to see how Ochs und Junior can implement new functions once more simply and intuitively. And we can hardly wait to see what will be next.

Made From Damascus Steel: The New Sinn

Where functionality defines design and every little detail serves to highlight the innovative technology at play, it’s a fair assumption to suspect Sinn at work. Since its establishment in 1961, the company has continuously focused on high-quality mechanical watches combining a traditional sense of quality with advanced solutions. This has repeatedly resulted in the use of new watchmaking materials; among those was Submarine Steel in 2005 and Damascus Steel in 2016. The 1800 Damaszener which we are introducing today, follows on from this tradition.
Damascus Steel has fascinated humankind for centuries. It gained its legendary reputation in the making of swords, knives and other blades. Damascus steel is a combination of at least two different types of steel, layered to create a fascinating surface design.

In order to perfectly enhance the characteristic texture of Damascus steel – an organic pattern of alternating bands of light an dark – the one-piece dial and central part of the case is forged from a complete steel block rather than designed as separate components, as is customary. As a result, the Damascus pattern on the dial continues across the entire case to create a fascinating and impressive whole. Thanks to the use of Tegiment Technology, the case is especially scratch-resistant. Sinn also made the crown and the bow as well as the pin buckle from Damascus steel.
The case has a diameter of 43 mm and is measuring 10.4 mm in height; it is also water-resistant up to 10 atm.

In this watch, everything comes down to the beautiful characteristic pattern of the Damascus steel. Nothing distracts from it, because Sinn decided to keep the watch as simple as possible. It only shows hours, minutes and seconds as well as the date in a small black window at six o’clock. The slim indices and hands are standing out distinctly which makes the wristwatch easy to read. Thanks to the luminous coating this is also true at night. All this is protected by a sapphire crystal.

The Sinn 1800 Damaszener is powered by a reliable, Swiss made automatic movement, the ETA 2892-A2. It works at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of 42 hours.

The Sinn 1800 Damaszener is a limited edition of only 100 pieces.

Big, Bigger, Graham Chronofighter Grand Vintage

The Graham Chronofighter Grand Vintage definitely means business and is not subtle in any way like, at all.The watch manufacturer thinks big and doesn’t shy away from transforming its big ideas into big watches. Into four of them, in this particular case. These timepieces shall transfer its wearer back to the 1940s and therefore bridge the gap between yesterday to today.

To stick to the point: The trigger on the left-hand side of the case acts as a symbolic bridge between nostalgia and modernity. Originally placed there for easy thumb-activated operation in the cockpit, the placement of the crown is now a reminder of Graham’s roots in aviation.
The case’s large diameter of 47 mm serves to enhance legibility of the chronograph dial, as well as adding an additional active signature. The stainless steel case also guarantees a water resistance of 10 bar.

A domed sapphire crystal integrates a magnifier for the date at nine o’clock. Just to be sure that solar power can be put to aesthetic use, a steel satin-brushed bezel and sunbrushed dial with a gradient are ready to catch the rays.
Inside the case works the calibre G1747, a Swiss made automatic movement. It features an Incablock shock absorber and a power reserve of approximately 48 minutes.

All dials of the Chronofighter Grand Vintage are equipped with a sunbrushed dial that also features a gradient; getting darker around the edges. One can choose from four colours: blue, brown, silver or black. The big hands, numerals and indices are coated with Super-LumiNova. At three and six o’clock Graham has placed two subtly overlapping subdials; the one at 3 o’clock showing the running seconds, the one at 6 o’clock the 30-minute-counter of the chronograph. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating which also features a magnifier above the date window at 9 o’clock.
Behind the dial, the calibre G1747 is working tirelessly. It is an automatic chronograph movement, working at 4 Hz and providing a power reserve of 48 hours.

The four Chronofighter Grand Vintage watches feature sporty rubber straps in black or green with a distinctive Milanese-style mesh pattern – newcomers to the family. A calf leather variant in blue is geared to those wishing to confidently cling on to a classic.

Tudor Heritage Chrono and Chrono Blue

In the saga of Tudor historic chronographs, the reference 7169 happens to be an icon. Since its launch in 1973 it has been produced in a number of different versions, one of the most fascinating features distinctive touches of blue, grey and orange. It was produced for only a few years. We’re going to look at its new interpretation, the Heritage Chrono Blue, as well as at its black brother. Both watches share exactly the same characteristics just differing in their appearance.

Tudor’s approach to the design of these two chronographs was exactly the same as for all the watches in the Heritage line since 2010. Far from being merely a new version, these two watches are a reinterpretation in which past, present and future converge in both time and style. While all the aesthetic codes that contributed to the recognition of the historic models remain – a synthesis of the original spirit of the timepieces and a faithful reproduction of their key characteristics – Tudor’s Style Workshop has added modern touches to update the iconic spirit of these watches and endow them with a timeless strength.

The Tudor Heritage Chrono and Heritage Chrono Blue mirror the original shape and proportions of the middle cases, bezels, lugs and bracelets of the 1970s models. Only a closer look reveals a series of new design details. The bevelled and polished edges of the lugs, the stylized shoulders to protect the crown, and the knurled edge of the bidirectional rotatable bezel (featuring a black or blue aluminium insert and providing a second time zone) and of the pushers that flank a knurled crown to improve grip.
With measuring 42 mm in diameter, the stainless steel-cases are keeping up with the dimensions of today’s chronographs. They also boast a water-resistance of 150 metres.

The dials are enhanced with orange details and feature 3D applique hour markers with bevelled edges and Super-LumiNova to enhance legibility. They also feature two counters located inside two trapezoidal shapes, one at 3 o’clock for the small second’s hand, and one at 9 o’clock for the 45-minute counters, reiterating the one of the 1970s.
At 6 o’clock, Tudor placed a small date window.

The Tudor Heritage Chrono watches are powered by the calibre 2892. The self-winding mechanical movement provides a power-reserve of 42 hours.
The Tudor Heritage Chrono and Heritage Chrono Blue come with both a three-link steel bracelet as well as a black, grey and orange or blue, white orange fabric strap.

Hamilton Goes Vintage with the Intra-Matic Auto Chono

Here at the wristwatches blog we are known fans of the vintage trend that is still going strong within the watch world. Yes, we love everything retro and we’re getting excited about a lot of the lovingly created and often very cool reissues of various manufacturers. And of course, Hamilton is also joining the party. Not long ago, the american watch manufacturer has revived its 1968 chronograph, presenting a model that draws on the classic good looks of its ancestor. We (as many of you, we might imagine) especially love the panda dial that comes with the new Intra-Matic Auto Chrono.

The new 40 mm stainless steel case is slightly larger than the 36 mm original – the first hint that this is a watch updated to reflect modern tastes. But Hamilton made sure to retain the authentic late 60s look and feel. It is also waterproof up to 10 bar.

The highlight is, of course, the original panda dial that was so popular in the 60s and 70s; but largely disappeared since then. Even the font and Hamilton logo across the dial are the historic version from 1968. The white dial with black chronograph counters harmonize beautifully with the black tachymeter scale running around the outer edge of the dial, making sure the bezel is staying slim. At 6 o’clock is a prominent but not intrusive date window and generous applied Super-LumiNova on the indices and hands are making sure that best legibility is assured even in the dark.

Inside the case of the new Intra-Matic Automatic Chrono works the calibre H-31. This automatic chronograph movement provides a comfortable power reserve of 60 hours.
The chronograph comes with a black leather strap.

Retro and also understated cool – can anyone possibly want more in a wristwatch? Swiss made maybe? Of course the Intra-Matic Automatic Chrono is also that. After all, American design made in Switzerland is one of Hamilton’s signature features.

Hanhart: Black Falcon Primus Race Winner

This October, Hanhart introduced a new limited editions for adrenaline junkies and car lovers, for racecar drivers or simply the modern man with a need for speed. It is created by Black Falcon, the young motorsports company currently celebrating both national and international success, in cooperation with watch manufacturer Hanhart. The fusion of Black Falcon’s progressive design and technology with Hanhart’s more than 130 years of tradition offers unmistakable sportiness and maximum wearing comfort. The result is the Black Falcon Primus Race Winner, a chronograph which is dedicated to the Black Falcon team’s many first-place victories in international motorsports.

The black dial is partly structured and since the Black Falcon Primus Race Winner is a chronograph, it comes with two subdials. You’ll find the small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute-counter at 3 o’clock. At 6 o’clock a small, an unobtrusive date window was placed. The watch is excellent legible and not only during the day; the big Arabic numerals are not only polished but coated with Super-LumiNova, as are the index marks and skeletonized hands. The yellow details are beautiful and stop the chronograph from getting too dark.
The dial is protected by a convex sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating.

The Black Falcon Primus Race Winner is based on the iconic design of Hanhart’s Primus watches. It comes with a stainless steel case, measuring 44 mm in diameter, sporting a black DLC-coating. The fluted bezel comes with a red inlaid marking at 12 o’clock. The case is water-resistant up to 10 bar and sports the attention-grabbing trademark of Hanhart, the red button which underlines the connection between stopwatches, the first pilot’s chronographs and the new collection.
Inside lies the calibre HAN3809. The automatic chronograph movement works at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and comes with a very mediocre power reserve of 42 hours.

The Black Falcon Primus Race Winner is a limited edition watch with only 111 pieces. Every one of these watches stands for a victory the Black Falcon team achieved and comes on a black vulcanized rubber band.