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.

Breitling Commemorates Notable Airlines with New Editions

Watch manufacturer Breitling played an important role in the golden era of aviation, helping crews track the full range of calculations related to navigation. To commemorate the most emblematic airlines of that time, the brand has now created a capsule collection of Navitimer 1 Airline Editions. The collection is being launched with the Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph 43 Swissair Edition, which will be followed by timepieces celebrating other important airlines.

Breitling’s first capsule collection captures the cool and evocative style of the 1960s and 1970s. The Navitimer 1 Airline Editions pay an affectionate tribute to the pioneers of civil aviation and celebrate the most emblematic airlines of the era. Thanks to them, the world suddenly became smaller as the dream of flying was no longer limited to a privileged elite. Breitling played a key role in the emergence of commercial flight, since its onboard chronographs became standard equipment; first in propeller-driven planes and later in the jets produced by the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.

All models of the Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph 43 Swissair Edition feature a bi-directional rotating bezel fitted with the famous circular slide rule, which serves to perform the entire range of calculations relating to airborne navigation. Their distinctive straight hands give the watches a dynamic, contemporary interpretation of a classic look. The dial itself is black with silver subdials; indices as well as hour and minute hands come with Super-LumiNova to ensure best legibility even in the dark. The red highlights on the dial are a hommage to Swiss Air and the transparent case back bears a printed Swissair logo.
The dial is protected by a convex, double anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

All Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph Airline Edition watches are powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01. The in-house mechanical chronograph movement features both remarkable precision and a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. It works at a frequency of 4 Hz.
The movement is housed in a 43-mm-stainless steel case which is water resistant up to 3 bar. It is fitted with a vintage-inspired black leather strap or a stainless-steel mesh bracelet.

This first Breitling capsule collection will be available from April 2019 at Breitling boutiques and official retailers for a limited period of time.

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.

Bell & Ross Goes Formula One

Bell & Ross, the official partner of the Renault Sport Formula One Team, celebrates reopening the French Grand Prix with its first presentation of a Vintage model from the collections linked to the partnership.
This watch is an invitation to get behind the wheel of a racing car and experience the extreme sensation felt by the driver, for whom a watch is not only a tool, but also an ally at each and every moment of the race.
Linked by the values of high precision and excellence, the partnership between Bell & Ross and the Renault Sport Formula One Team is a continuous source of inspiration and motivation for the watch brand.

This Vintage BR V2-94 R.S.18 model immerses us in the world of motor racing adoption Formula 1 racing codes. It features a 41 mm case in satin-finished steel which is water-resistant up to 100 metres. It features a steel bezel with an anodised black aluminium ring with a tachymeter scale.

The BR V2-94 R.S.18 features a carbon fiber dial with applied numerals are filled with Super-LumiNova, so are the metal skeletonized hour and minute hands. This makes the watch extremely legible even in the dark.
Since the BR V2-94 R.S.18 is a chronograph, it shows hours, minutes and small seconds at 3 o’clock. The date window lies at 4.30 and wears a little red highlight. The 30-minute timer at 9 o’clock also comes with red highlights. The bright yellow central seconds hand belongs to the chronograph as well which matches the internal minute track.
The dial is protected by an ultra-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating.

The wristwatch is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement, the calibre BR-CAL.301.

The BR V2-94 R.S.18 is available with a micro-perforated calfskin strap with carbon fiber effect and yellow lining or a bracelet in satin-finished polished steel. To mark the return of Formula One to France, the BR V2-94 R.S.18 is featuring a black rubber strap stamped with the French flag during the French Grand Prix. This is a limited edition of 999 pieces.

News from TAG Heuer: Special Carbon Series in Black

TAG Heuer has introduced its newest and simultaneously most modern interpretation of its famous Aquaracer. The watches – three different versions overall – combine an urban look that combines comfort, durability and sportiness.
The first models of this ultra-light, hard-wearing and modern special series are the first of a collection, TAG Heuer will extend over the next months. The Carbon series also comes with the appropriate name: Aquaracer Carbone.

The dial boasts an imitation carbon effect. TAG Heuer offers the Aquaracer Cabone in three different versions, which are sporting accents in either blue, yellow or pink gold. But in these watches, black is clearly the dominating color which raises the issue of readabiltiy. But TAG Heuer didn’t skimp in terms of Super-LumiNova and yes, it’s deep grey in daylight. Which is pretty cool because it’s practically seamlessly blending into the background as long as it isn’t dark.
Over the dial lies a sapphire crystal, sporting an ingrained magnifier at the 3-o’clock position. These cyclops are always controversial and often crucial in terms of liking a timepiece or not. But that’s how it is, and may we say that the cyclops is integrating itself quite beautifully into the overall design of the Aquaracer Carbone.

The 41-mm-case is made from titanium with black PVD coating. Thanks to the random injection of carbon fibres into a resin pressed at high temperatures, each peace is unique, boasting an exclusive black and grey marbled motif. So, even if the case is not made from carbon, there is carbon in it – but I think we can all agree, the name might be a bit misleading.
Like one would expect from a diver’s watch, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Carbone is water-resistant up to 30 atm.

The technical details are the same as in the Aquaracer, TAG Heuer has incarnated three years earlier. All models are powered by the Calibre 5. The automatic movement is working at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. Since the case back is solid (also made from PVD coated titanium), the movement cannot be observed.

All three models are completed by black nylon straps with black, yellow or blue topstitching, matching the colored accents on the dials.

Anniversary Watch: Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau

Junghans introduced an anniversary watch last month to mark the centenary of an architectural masterpiece by Philipp Jakob Manz. The terrace building in Schramberg is one of the most spectacular industrial buildings worldwide to be built on a sloping site. At the beginning of the 20th century there was an increasing requirement for workplaces in the already cramped valley in Schramberg. The nine-stepped terrace building was built directly on the slope, in less than two years. As a result, each watchmaker could benefit from direct daylight at the workplace. For decades, the building was the centerpiece of the Junghans factory.
2018 sees the monument to industrial architecture celebrates its 100th birthday, with 100 years of architectural history commemorated with a special timepiece – the limited edition Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau.

Junghans offers two different versions of this watch and both incorporate the distinctive elements of the industrial monument in Schramberg into their design: the minute track of the dial reflects the meandering design of the wall decorations in the terrace building, whilst the dark green of the wall tiles in the stairways can be found in the alligator leather strap. The case back delivers a direct view of the architectural work: an engraved image of the terrace building.
Hours, minutes and the chronograph second are shown by central hands. The running second lies at 9 o’clock, the 30-minute-counter at 12 o’clock and the 12-hour-counter at 6 o’clock. The hands are coated with Lume and the dial is protected by a convex hard plexiglass with coating for enhanced scratch resistance.

Inside the Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau watches works an automatic movement, the J880.1. It offers a power reserve of up to 48 hours. The cases feature a diameter of 40.7 mm and are water resistant up to 3 atm.

With a limited edition of 100 examples, the Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau features a gold case. Inspiration for the champagne-coloured dial with the three matt silver subdials was the stairway of the terrace building, which are in beige and white. The stainless steel version is limited to 1,000 watches and has a silver-plated dial.