Bell & Ross Is Playing with Luminous Contrasts

For the second time in its history, Bell & Ross has introduced a fully luminescent watch, the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2. It’s predecessor, the BR 03-92 Full Lum, was introduced in 2019 and a huge success. And now, the manufacture has decided to add another model, which combines two Super-LumiNova Colours while holding up a professional appearance.

First, let’s take a look at the case of the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2. It is made of stainless steel and features a diameter of 41 mm. The black anodised aluminium bezel has a 60-minute scale and is fixed. The chronograph pushers are screwed down to ensure they cannot be activated accidentally, and everything is water-resistant up to 10 bar.

Bell & Ross has coated the dial of the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2 completely with a paint made of green Super-LumiNova C5 luminescent pigments, while the applique skeletonized numerals, indices, hands, and counters are filled with the pale yellow Super-LumiNova C3.
The brightness charge and discharge cycles are endless and never alter the efficacy of the watch. The recharge is quick and the light intensity is very good, ensuring maximum readability in the dark.
Of course, the look of the dial in daylight is probably even more crucial. We know Bell & Ross to design its dials clear and with a focus on legibility and the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2 is no different. The subdial at the 3 o’clock position shows the running seconds while the one at the 9 o’clock position counts the chronograph minutes. And the latter glows in a blue hue instead of green.
This chronograph features an ultra-domed glass-box sapphire crystal.

The case back is also made from sapphire crystal and opens onto the mechanical movement, the BR-CAL.301. It is a reliable automatic movement that Bell & Ross uses frequently in its chronographes. This calibre operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of at least 42 hours.

Just like its predecessor, the BR V2-94 Full Lum 2 is a limited edition of 250 pieces. The watch is made from weave black rubber, also known as „tropic“, which provides the final vintage touch to this contemporary watch.

The New Portugieser Chronograph from IWC Schaffhausen

At the end of last year, IWC Schaffhausen introduced the iconic Portugieser Chronograph on a stainless steel bracelet for the first time in its long history. This way, the elegant and sporty chronograph becomes even more versatile and apt for a whole new range of new adventures.
The Portugieser Chronograph has been part of the eponymous family at IWC Schaffhausen for more than 20 years. From its very first appearance, the watch introduced a sportier design language to the Portugieser line and quickly found enthusiastic followers world wide and grew to be one of the manufacturer’s most popular models.

The timelessly modern chronograph boasts a clear and open dial that is uncluttered and therefore excellently legible. The two recessed subdials at 12 and 6 o’clock show the chronograph minutes and the running seconds. Of course, this Portugieser is also equipped with a quarter seconds scale. The blue hands and appliqués stand out wonderfully against the argenté-coloured, silver-plated dial.

The Portugieser Chronograph comes in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41 mm. It is only water-resistant to 3 bar.
Inside works an in-house calibre, the 69355. This automatic chronograph movement is designed in classic column-wheel fashion, operates at a frequency of 4 Hz / with 28,800 of half oscillations per hour and builds up a power reserve of 46 hours. Since IWC Schaffhausen has opted for a sapphire crystal case back, the movement can also be viewed.

As you would expect from the manufacture, the bracelet is beautifully finished with polished and satin-finished surfaces. It sits ergonomically on the wrist and naturally offers excellent wearing comfort. And of course, stainless steel is an excellent material for everyday wear and use, as it is robust, corrosion-resistant and durable, as well as very easy to clean.
The new stainless steel bracelet with its butterfly folding clasp is also available as an additional accessory for all new Portugieser Chronograph models, so customers can easily upgrade their watches.

A Striking Special Edition: Hublot and the City That Never Sleeps

Some time ago, Hublot established its largest flagship in the U.S. on Fifth Avenue right in the heart of New York City. Since then, the manufacturer has not only become an unwavering beacon in the city, but also sees itself influenced by the metropolis. This is expressed in the latest Special Edition, the Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York. The city that never sleeps did not simply inspire this creation – with this wristwatch, Hublot is paying tribute to New York City.
Concrete as an industrious material is noteworthy for its strength and endurance. As a city built on these foundations, New York is not just a place but a symbol of vigor and resilience. Hublot draws inspiration from the bustling streets, their exuberant spirit, brilliant energy and limitless opportunities, moved by the city’s perpetual ability to endure, evolve and overcome. Drawing on these elements, the Swiss watchmaker has created an avant-garde tribute to New York’s bedrock of strength.

The Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York presents the city’s sophisticated poise and everlasting elegance without ignoring its raw elements. Developed in an even more robust material, the Classic Fusion is reinforced in a fine concrete with minute detailing that evoke the city’s edges and structure.
The concrete material is composed of 65-75% fine cement, 25-30% epoxy resin replacing water in standard concrete, and 5-10% fiberglass replacing steel to reinforce the concrete. But that’s not all: The epoxy resin has been upgraded with an anti-UV additive to prevent color change over time and an anti-graffiti treatment has been applied on the finished components to prevent the concrete from becoming impregnated with other contaminants like dirt.
The 45-mm-case is water-resistant up to 5 atm.

Muted grey tones juxtaposed against a black strap are quintessential New York with its ability to be simultaneously monochromatic and effervescent, uniform and unconventional. The two subdials are also grey and present the running seconds at 3 o’clock and the chronograph minutes at 9 o’clock. The small date window at the 6 o’clock position blends seamlessly into the design of the dial.

The concrete encases the HUB1143 Manufacture self-winding chronograph movement. This calibre offers a power reserve of 42 hours and a high precision and reliability thanks to its frequency of 4 Hz.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York is a limited edition of 50 pieces.

Chronoswiss Opus Chronograph Flag

Chronoswiss just intoduced the skeletonised Opus Chronograph Flag, a new interpretation of a true classic. This one brings a harmonious overall look to the table with its balanced combination of blue, white and red colours which are also the colours of most national flags.

The dial is only present as a fragment after the careful skeletonisation process, but the galvanic blue and silver-plated elements of the Opus Chronograph Flag create a beautifully balanced appearance. The mechanical transparency is created by skilfully and carefully paring away all superfluous material, leaving nothing but a filigree skeleton. Of course, this does not detract from the function and reliability of the watch or its movement. In this chronograph, the bridges of the C.741S calibre are galvanised in black. This creates an exciting contrast on the dial side to the hour, minute, second and date displays and the luminous red hands.
Hours and minutes are displayed centrally, as are the chronograph seconds. The running seconds have been placed on a subdial, the other two ones are divided between the 30-minute counter and a 12-hour counter of the chronograph.
An anti-reflective sapphire crystal provides a clear view through the dial and into the depths of the movement.

The case of the Opus Chonograph Flag has a very modern diameter of 41 mm and hugs the wrist comfortably with its short lugs. The solid case construction consists of a total of 23 individual parts made of stainless steel with different finishes: here, a brushed centre section with a vertical cut meets shining horns and a polished bezel, as well as the manufacturer’s typical features such as the side knurling of the bezel and the dominant onion crown. The case is also water resistant to 10 bar.
The calibre C.741S is an automatic movement that operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of approximately 46 hours.

The Chronoswiss Opus Chronograph Flag is completed by an alligator leather strap.

Zenith Chronomaster Revival A385

Zenith celebrates the rebirth of a legend: The watch manufacturer is bringing back one of the earliest and most emblematic El Primero-equipped chronographs from the earliest days of the revolutionary calibre in the form of a Chronomaster Revival model. So Zenith looks back to the year 1969, a year which brought not only significant changes to the watchmaking world but to the manufacture histelf with the official launch of the El Primero calibre. The debut of the world’s first automatic high-frequency chronograph was celebrated with three distinct steel models. Among them was the A385, a tonneau-shaped steel watch with with an eye-catching gradient dial, which was the first „smoked“ dial ever to be made. And now, after more than 50 years. the A385 is making a brilliant comeback.

The Chronomaster A385 Revival is far more than just a vintage-inspired creation. This watch is an actual reproduction of the original model from the late 1960s. Zenith brought it by „reverse engineering“. Using the original blueprints and production plans, each part of the tonneau-shaped stainless steel case, including the pump-style pushers, is faithful to the original model. The only differences are the domed sapphire crystal instead of an acrylic glass and the display back. The 1969 model came with a solid steel case back which did not allow a view of the spectacular movement behind it. Luckily, these days are over and the new watch now offers an unobstructed view of its El Primero 400 chronograph movement.
The case measures only 37 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 5 atm.

What made the A385 truly stand was its smoked brown gradient dial with a vignette effect that blackens towards the edges and provides a striking sense of visual depth, as if the dial was domed. For the Chronomaster Revival, Zenith sought to recreate the same warm tones and gradient effect, almost indistinguishable from the original with its red chronograph central second hand and silvery-white chronograph counters. Hours and minutes are displayed centrally, and at 9 o’clock you’ll find the small seconds. The central seconds of the chronograph are complemented by a 10-minute conter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock.
Between the indexes at 4 and 5 o’clock Zenith has placed the date window.

The aforementioned El Primero 400 chronograph movement is a powerful automatic movement. It operates at a frequency of 5 Hz and provides a power reserve of more than 50 hours.

Keeping with the retro theme, the Chronomaster A385 Revival is available in two options: the first is the steel ladder bracelet, a modern remake of the Gay Frères bracelets. The second is a light brown calfskin strap.

TAG Heuer Celebrates Jack Heuer’s Birthday with a Special Edition


Jack Heuer, the great-grandson of TAG Heuer’s founder, celebrates his eighty-eighth birthday this year. In honor of this symbolic eighty eighth year, which embodies luck with its double infinity loop, the Swiss luxury watchmaker is releasing a limited edition of the recently relaunched TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition was inspired by Jack’s favourite watch, the legendary Carrera-1158CHN Vintage Chronograph.

Jack Heuer’s favourite collection is the Carrera which was first launched in 1963. It is also the first timepiece that he created entirely, choosing and registering its name as well as designing its aesthetics down to the smallest details. The Carrera was awatch made for professional racing drivers that featured a highly legible, minimalist dial that has helped forge its legendary status. The name of the collection is inspired by the treacherous Carrera-Panamericana race and means „road“, „race“ or even „journey“ in Spanish.
Among all the TAG Heuer Carrera models, there is one that is particularly dear to Jack Heuer’s heart: the all-gold Heuer Carrera 1158CHN dating back to the 1970s. This iconic vintage watch has inspired the TAG Heuer Carrera Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition. Made of rose gold, this anniversary piece marks the comeback of this precious metal to the TAG Heuer collections.

Framed by a 42 mm rose gold case, the TAG Heuer Carrera Jack Heuer Birthday Gold Limited Edition features a silver opaline dial with a duo of applied stylised infinity loops in the center of the dial, symbolising Jack’s birthday. True to the aesthetics of the original 1158CHN Heuer model, only the two sunray brushed chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock appear in contrasting black as a nod to vintage racing timepieces. As for the counter at 6 o’clock, which did not exist in the original version, it elegantly blends in tone on tone with the dial. The silhouette of the redesigned date display and the hands, whose size has been perfectly adjusted to that of the hour-markers, are two subtle details which add the finishing touch to the balanced aesthetics of this timepiece.

This chronograph is powered by the Calibre Heuer02 movement. It guarantees maximum precision and accuracy and provides an impressive power reserve of 80 hours.

The black alligator leather strap bears Jack Heuer’s signature in gold lettering.
This special edition is limited to 188 pieces; a chronograph with charisma and style which is hard to beat in terms of elegance and finesse.

For the Anniversary: „Homage to F. A. Lange Special Edition

This year, A. Lange & Söhne presented three extraordinary models of the 1815 watch family with the epithet „Homage to F. A. Lange“. The three limited editions with cases made of honey gold as well as special movement decorations and dials are dedicated to Ferdinand A. Lange and the foundation of the manufactory 175 years ago.
IN 2020, A. Lange & Söhne is celebrating not only its 175th anniversary, but also the 30th anniversary of a courageous new beginning. Inspired by long-standing tradition, the watchmakers of A. Lange & Söhne today strive to advance precision watchmaking with innovative ideas and excellent craftsmanship. Their driving motivation of never standing still is also reflected in the new anniversary edition „Homage to F. A. Lange“.

The 1815 watch family, which bears the birth year of the founder in its name, is inspired by tradition and therefore primarily stands for the classic side of A. Lange & Söhne. The family’s design transports the spirit of the pocket watches of yesteryear to the mechanical wristwatches of today. Central to this are values such as distinguised restraint and the demand for precision.
The unifying element of the three new limited editions is the case material honey gold. Additionally, all three models are characterised by special movement decorations and a special dial.

The 1815 watch family, which bears the year of the founder’s birth in its name, is strongly inspired by the Trdition and thus stands above all for the classic side of A. Lange & Söhne. Their design transfers the spirit of the pocket watches of yesteryear to the mechanical wristwatches of today. Central to this are values such as forward-looking restraint and the pursuit of precision.
The unifying element of the three limited edition watches is the honey gold case material. Furthermore, all models are characterised by special movement decorations.

1815 Thin Honeygold „Homage to F. A. Lange“

With a diameter of only 38 millimetres, this timelessly elegant two-hand wtch is a mere 6.3 millimetres high. With Arabic numerals and a railway-track minute scale, the intricately hand-made enamel dial emphasises the design inspired by Lange pocket watches. This wristwatch is limited to 175 pieces.
The 1815 Thin Honeygold is powered by the in-house calibre L093.1. This hand-wound movement offers a power reserve of 72 hours.

1815 Rattrapante Honeygold „Homage to F. A. Lange“

This is the first watch from A. Lange & Söhne which places the classic complications of timekeepking – chronograph and rattrapante – in the spotlight in their pure forms. Additionally, for this watch (which is limited to 100 pieces) the honey gold case was used for the first time in combination with a black dial made from solid silver.
The 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold is powered by the new hand-wound calibre L101.2, which operates at a frequency of 3 Hz and offers excellent precision.

Tourbograph Perpetual Honeygold „Homage to F. A. Lange“

Only 50 pieces of the most complex timepiece of the new anniversary edition will be made. Two of its five complications – tourbillon and fusée-and-chain transmission – have the single purpose of further increasing the accuracy of the watch. Orchestrating the perfect interaction between chronograph, rattrapante and perpetual calendar is a major watchmaking challenge. The dial is made of black-rhodiumed honey gold with raised numerals and scales that stand out from the dark background as a ground relief.
The calibre L133.1 features not only elaborate finishes but also an outstanding complexity. It consists of 684 individual parts.

These limited watches from the special anniversary edition „Homage to F. A. Lange“ will undoubtedly quicken the pulse of every collector.

Breitling Introduces new Chronomat Collection

The Chronomat holds a significant place in Breitling’s history. Introduced in 1984, when extra-hin quartz timepieces were the order of the day, the manufacturer placed a bold bet on an impressive mechanical watch that proved to become an icon of its era. Nearly 40 years later, the redesigned Chronomat is set to appeal to today’s generation of men and women.
The new Breitling Chronomat is truly an all-purpose sports watch, at home everywhere. Its features recall the classic namesake and make it instantly recognizable.

When the Breitling Chronomat was launched in 1984, it marked a welcome return to mechanical Swiss watches, which had all but disappeared. Inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch, which launched in 1983, the Chronomat celebrated Breitling’s centenary. The combination of the technical legacy with particularly stylish design codes made the Chronomat the ultimate sport-chic watch and expressed the new-found confidence of the chronograph watch.

Every Chronomat has features that make it instantly recognizable: The signature rotating bezel is highlighted by rider tabs, which make the manipulation of the bezel easier. The ones at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock are interchangeable, so the wearer can use them either for a „count up“ or „countdown“ function.
The hands of every Chronomat are coated with Super-LumiNova to enhance legibilty in all lighting conditions. All of the models (except for the Chronomat Frecce Tricolori Limited Edition) feature a red second hand.
Breitling offers the Chronomat B01 42 in different versions. In silver, copper, or blue with black contrasting chronograph counters or black with silver contrasting chronograph counters.

Like all Breitling watches, the Chronomats are COSC-certified chronometers. They are powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, an in-house automatic movement that delivers an impressive power reserve of about 70 hours. It works at a frequency of 4 Hz.
The movement is housed in a 42 mm stainless steel case which provides a water-resistant of up to 20 bar. And the eye-catching, highly recognizable Rouleaux bracelet perfectly expresses Breitling’s modern-retro style.

Mysterious: The Chronomaster Revival Shadow

A timepiece shrouded in mystery. Its existence has eluded collectors and Zenith collaborators alike for decades, wondering whether it actually existed. As the legend goes, in 1970, shortly after Zenith debuted the groundbreaking El Primero calibre, the manufacture had produced a prototype of a manual-winding chronograph, housed in a blackened steel case. Only a handful of this prototype was made, but the model was never officially produced or marketed. Some of the watchmakers and longtime employees of Zenith had heard of the rare watch, and there were even sightings. But they were largely unconfirmed and so the watch remained a mystery.
After Zenith began celebrating the 50th anniversary of the seminarl El Primero chronograph calibre in 2019, the manufacture’s team set out ot find the prototype of the black chronograph, which hadn’t been seen since the early 1970’s. The time had finally come to complete the black watch project that had begun almost half a century earlier. The Chronomaster Revival „Shadow“ does not directly reproduce a historical watch but reimagines what could have been.

The Chronomaster Revival „Shadow is heavily inspired by the obscure black chronograph prototype from 1970 and housed in a 37 mm case, a faithful reproduction of the very first watch fitted with the El Primero – the A384. But instead of the traditional choice of stainless steel with a superficial layer of black coating Zenith has opted for microblasted Titanium, bringing out the dark grey nuances of the lightweight yet highly durable metal with its completely matte finish. The case is waterproof up to 5 atm.

In spite of its dark demeanor, the Shadow remains a highly legible chronograph, with grey counters and tachymeter scale subtly contrasting against the deep, matte black dial. The hands and applied markers are filled with white Super-LumiNova that emits a bright green glow in the dark.
Hours and minutes are displayed centrally, and at 9 o’clock you’ll find the running second. The central second hand belongs to the chronograph, at 3 o’clock you’ll find the 30-minute-counter and at 6 o’clock the 12-hour-counter.

Unlike the prototype from 1970, which feature a manual-winding chronograph movement, the Chronomaster Revival „Shadow“ features the most prolific automatic chronograph ever made, the El Primero 4061. It operates at a frequency of 5 Hz and provides a power reserve of at least 50 hours.
And of course, the watch is equipped with a display back, so the movement can be admired accordingly.

The Chronomaster Revival „Shadow“ is delivered with a black rubber strap with a cordura-effect and a touch of white on the stitching.

The Longines Heritage Classic Tuxedo

With its newest two watches, Longines looks back to the wild parties of the later 1940s and the carefree spirit of this time. After the harsh war came a time of prosperity and celebration. Elegance was back in fashion; men wore suits and women wore recently-introduced nylon stockings. People got dressed up to go out and dance to the rhythm of jazz bands. And the new Longines Heritage Classic – Tuxedo creations – one with 3 hands and the other featuring a chronograph – are inspired by two historic pieces designed in the spirit of their time.
Collectors have nicknamed the historic watches „Tuxedo“, because the contrast of the black and white on their dials reminds us of the suits worn during the elegant and festive evenings of the time.

To respect the spirit of the original models, Longines has chosen her not to add the word „Automatic“ on the dials. In kepping with the aim to create timepieces as faithful as possible to historical models, there is also no date window on the contemporary models.
The 3-hand model stands out for the aesthetics of the dial, a typical and very popular design from the 1940s. An opaline silver disc surrounded by a sublime matt black circle of thin baton hands covered with Super-LumiNova. The small seconds counter, located at 6 o’clock, is off-centre; this detail contributes to the charm of this 38.5-mm-diameter timepiece housing the exclusive L893.5 automatic movement featuring a silicon balance spring.

The chronograph version displays matt black, opaline and midnight blue, colours as elegant as they are refined. Several zones feature on its dial, and a tachymetric sclae – quite rare for a Longines watch – also enriches its circumference, just like on the original model. The Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph – Tuxedo houses in its 40-mm-case the calibre L895.5, a movement developed exclusively for Longines Heritage timepieces.

Both Longines Heritage Classic – Tuxedo watches are presented on semi-matt black leather straps, perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the late 1940s.