The Beauty of the Richtenburg Panama

Today, we’re introducing a new watch from a too-often overlooked manufacturer, Richtenburg. Known for its big variety of extravagant automatic watches, the Panama also doesn’t disappoint in terms of extroversion. This watch is a real eye catcher on any wrist, loudly announcing its presence to the world.

The case of the Richtenburg Panama measures 14 mm in height and 42 mm in diameter, a good average for a men’s model. Whereas smaller diameters were en vogue a few decades ago, making our current models look quite large, tastes have changed considerably. Today, especially men’s models are allowed to be large; chronographs especially which are measuring at least 40 mm in diameter, and 45 mm are not longer a rare occurrence. A 42 mm-watch is not only in line with the current taste but also a pretty safe bet, fitting comfortably on most wrists and usually able to slide under shirt sleeves.
The Richtenburg Panama is water-resistant up to 10 atm and complemented by a striking toothed bezel.

The bezel frames an equally eye-catching dial. A slide rule and a tachymeter scale are running around the periphery, reducing the size of the actual dial not insignificantly while adding a very interesting look. Due to the reduced space, the indexes ont the Panama are also restrained. Hours, minutes and seconds are displayed from the centre, and at 3 o’clock you’ll find a small framed date window right next to the company logo.
The rest of the dial is divided between three subdials. Opposite the date display, at the 9 o’clock position, Richtenberg placed a day-of-the-week-display which is complemented by a month display at the 12 o’clock position. The last subdial at 6 o’clock adds a 24-hour-display.
The dial is protected by a shatterproof mineral glass.

Inside each Richtenburg Panama works a powerful and reliable automatic movement.

Richtenburg offers a total of nine different versions of the Panama. These include models with black or white dials, with cases made of pure stainless steel or with PVD-coatings in gold and pink gold. The watch is also available in two different two-tone versions.
Richtenburg supplies the watches either with link bracelets made of steel or PVD-coated steel or with leather straps in colours matching the case and dial.

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.

Ready for Take-off with the Mathis Montabon Aerotime II

Today, we’re taking a look at a new model by Mathis Montabon, one that is clearly related to all things aviation: the Aerotime II. This generously sized men’s watch combines a clearly legible dial with a powerful automatic movement and an overall great energy.

With its strong and highly expressive looks, the Aerotime II fits perfectly into the latest Mathis Montabon collection. The completely polished stainless steel case features a generous diameter of 44 mm. This timepiece does not hold back but wants to stay out, and with a weight of more than 100g it needs a man who can literally wear it. The bezel and the lugs are of slender built and together with the crown and its guard they provide beautiful lines and an airily feel for this big watch.

The slim bezel and the understated design of the case ensure that most of the viewer’s attention is drawn to the dial of the Aerotime II. A very decorative slide-rule design runs around the edge of the dial while the centre is divided between four different subdials. At the 3 o’clock position you’ll find a classic small date window. Directly opposite, at the 9 o’clock position you’ll find a date display which is further complemented by a month display at 12 o’clock. the subdial at the 6 o’clock position also provides a very handy 24-hour-display. And, as if that were not enough, Mathis Montabon has finished the dial with a beautiful sunburst pattern.
In order to guarantee ideal legibility, the manufacture has used a lot of luminous paint for the prominent indexes as well as for the hands. This ensures time is clearly legible even in the dark. A red seconds hand and individual accents on the slide-rule are adding additional colour to the dial.

Powered is the Aerotime II by a powerful, reliable automatic movement. Precise and tireless, it provides the power for all the functions mentioned above.

Mathis Montabon offers five different versions of the Aerotime II Three with light-coloured dials in stainless steel or with a rose gold or gold PVD coating. The stainless steel case has also been combined with a dark dial and there is also an all-black version.
All watches are supplied with a leather strap.

Soonow Instant Rainbow: The Most Colorful of Skulls

When the past meets the future, something beautiful happens. It’s called the present. In these unique times, we are constantly being challenged to explore new ways of perceiving the now. And the HYT Soonow Instant Rainbow tells this intensely contemporary, fluid story in a captivating, colorful way. Time’s intrinsic flow presents itself as a broad spectrum of possibility. ‚Now‘ potentially lasts forever, as it continually becomes what was ’soon‘ just a moment ago. Stopping and preserving time are as illusory as prolonging a rainbow. All we can do is enjoy the beauty of both as they appear to us.

This multi-colored timepiece, integrating the HYT fluidic module, shows time and light performing their intrinsic magic. Its design is rooted in the truth that both are in constant motion. Its message is that both should always be appreciated and never restrained. Yellow and blue, two of the three primary colors, trace the paths of elapsed and future time respectively. The other colors of the rainbow spread across and around the dial with refined gradual shading. Light dances with 668 sapphires, amethysts and tsavorites in 14 color variations, In combination with the violet anodized titanium dial, covoered with 313 yellow gold pins, this heightenes the overall radiance of the mesmerizing, three-dimensional whole.

The look of the skeleton on the dial of the Soonow Instant Rainbow has a hypnotic quality. Its right eye shows the power reserve progressing smoothly through the entire color spectrum, as does the seconds indicator in the other socket. Different monochrome Super-LumiNova outlines, around the openings for the eyes, nose and mouth, draw the gaze. And the skull offers a grin full of solid gold teeth.

The HYT Soonow Instant Rainbow is a very limited edition with only 8 pieces available.

Urwerk Ur-100 Gold Edition

This new creation is the fourt episode in the UR-100 intergalactic saga, recounting the adventures of an atypical time instrument written, produced, and directed by the horological studio Urwerk. Approaching light speed, the UR-100 pushes the boundaries of technology, design, indications and functionality. Like other Urwerk models, this latest UR-100 clearly shows that science fiction has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Baumgartner and Frei. Why else would this newest model be named after the popular Star Wars droid C-3PO.

First and foremost, the UR-100 is slim – extra-flat for a satellite-geared watch – with angular contours; it’s an elongated octagon with three notched sides. The form uses subtle asymmetry, taking clues from Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. The UR-100 is cutfrom a solid block of yellow gold, its surface satin-finished to the same pale shine as the Star Wars droid. It measures 41 x 49.7 x 14 mm and is pressure tested to 3 bar.
Topping the case is a sapphire crystal bubble reminiscent of the shape of the first Urwerk models, the dome housing the control center of this intergalactic visitor.

The UR-100’s astrophysics govern the Urwerk universe with rotating satellites displaying the hours and minutes. Isochronal revolutions create a miniature cosmic ballet, the hour satellites also displaying minutes as they traverse 120 degrees across the bright green scale. A bold red arrowhead marks the confluence of hours and minutes, offering a unique, highly legible, and intuitive time display.
At last, but certainly not least, are the discreet spacetime indications on each side of the top of the dome’s periphery. After each of the three red minute arrowheads pass the numeral 60 they disappear and then reappear again on two separate kilometer scales. The first display at 9 o’clock marks the 555 km traveled along the equator during 20 minutes of the earth’s rotation, the second display at 3 o’clock indicates the distance – 35,740 kilometres – traveled by the earth as it orbits the around the sun over 20 minutes.

The UR-100 is powered by the calibre UR 12.01. The automatic winding system is equipped with the legendary „Windfänger“. This planetary gear limits the speed of rotation of the rotor, minimizing both excessive winding and wear and maximizing reliability and lifespan.
This automatic movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of at least 48 hours.

The UR-100 C-3PO is a special edition limited to 25 pieces.

The Secret Lies in the Twist of the Lines

Today, we take a look at Cartier’s latest watch creations. Before the Maison became an important watchmaker in the 20th century by introducing the first Santos-Dumont in 1904, Cartier had already made a name for itself as a master jeweller. And the Maison still combines watchmaking with the ambition to make its watches look like a piece of jewellery – especially the women’s watches.
The new Maillon de Cartier stands for the unmistakable style of the manufacturer. The watch focuses on the bracelet and its individual links. Cartier has always used links as a central design element for rings, necklaces and bracelets. Traditional standards are interpreted in a modern way, resulting in an exceptional outcome.

With the Maillon de Cartier the Maison introduces a future classic among its collections. For the link bracelet, Cartier has aranged the elements in a way that they lie diagonallyone behind the other. This design gives the feminine watch its special elegance; the interplay of curves and bevels leads to the twisted links.
The dial of the Maillon the Cartier blends harmoniously into the twisted perspective of the braclet. Its elements and the case melt into a single, refined and graphic sweep.

Rectangular elements, a hexagonal dial and bevelled edges complement each other to create a rhythmic design and an overall architectural approach. The case measures 16 x 17mm with a height of only 6.8 mm and is polished to a high gloss.

The dial of the watches is unmistakably Cartier: silver-plated dials, blued steel sword hands and stylised Roman numerals capture the eye as soon as it can tear itself away from the unique bracelet.

The Maillon de Cartier collection consists of a gold base model that features a blue cobochon on the crown and five watches with diamonds. The Maillon de Cartier in red and white gold have 24 brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel and a red gold Maillon comes with 400 diamonds – not only on the bezel but also on the bracelet. Cartier also offers a white gold version with diamonds all over, including the dial, which amounts to a number of 486 diamonds in total.
All watches are powered by a quartz movement.

The Maillon de Cartier collection also includes two limited editions: A yellow gold watch set with diamonds and a black dial (limited to 50 pieces), and a Maillon whose case, bracelet and dial are set with diamonds and tsavorites. This is a limited edition of only 20 pieces.

Discreet and Sleek: Chrono Diamond Zelya

Recently, Chrono Diamond has added a few new models to its already extensive collection. So we thought it is about time to take a closer look at one of them. We have picked the Zelya, a wonderfully sleek women’s model that, like all other watches from Chrono Diamond, stands for the use of high quality materials and Swiss craftsmanship.

The Chrono Diamond Zelya is the beautiful embodiment of a discreet and slender ladies‘ watch. It couldn’t be more understated. In this timepiece, nothing distracts from the true, most important role of a watch: the display of the time.
Chrono Diamond has furnished the dial with a sunburst finish whose unity isn’t interrupted by a date window or subdials. The Zelya displays hours, minutes and seconds in a classic manner using three central hands and simple applied indices. The company logo is flanked by the two diamonds, characteristic for all Chrono Diamond watches. The dial is protected by a hardened mineral glass.

The Zelya features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 36 mm and a height of only 8 mm. So the watch is on the smaller size and with its short lugs it should fit perfectly on every wrist. The case is waterproof up to 5 atm and thus up to most everyday challenges.
In the case you’ll find a reliable Swiss quartz movement working tirelessly. Opting for quartz made the moderate proportions possible in the first place.
The Zelya is completed by a beautiful and slim Milanaise bracelet.

Chrono Diamond offers a variety of different versions of this watch. It comes not only in a stainless steel version, but also with gold, pink gold or black PVD coating. It can also be chosen between different colored dials; from silver and gold to dark grey and blue. So there should be something for every taste, from plain and simple to a little more sporty and eye-catching.

Watch Out for the New Richtenburg Diamond Line

This spring, Richtenburg presents a new collection for the ladies, which offers a lot. As always, the watch manufacturer has devoted itself to its new creations with a great deal of attention to detail. Each of the four models of the Diamond Line is offered in various versions – in stainless steel or with PVD coating and with different colored dials.

The Belana is a ladies‘ watch with a classic style. Richtenburg has given it a modern look with a large second and lance-shaped hands. In order to provide sufficient space for the huge subdial, Richtenburg has placed the Roman numerals only in the upper half of the dial and the numeral at twelve o’clock was replaced by a diamond.
Richtenburg provides six different versions of the Belana, including two trendy bi-coloured versions; with a light or dark dial and matching ceramic inlays in the bracelet.
The case with the elegantly integrated lugs has a diameter of 36 mm and is water resistant to 5 atm.

The Richtenburg Gesa is a simple three-hand watch with a date window. The dial is dominated by the applied Roman numerals and a red seconds hand. A diamond sits at twelve o’clock. In order to guarantee easy readability, Richtenburg has equipped the hands with luminous material.
The Gesa comes in a case with a diameter of 36 mm and a water resistance of 5 atm.
Richtenburg offers five different versions of the Gesa; all equipped with a leather strap, elegant and extremely versatile.

The Richtenburg Innessa is a model for the more unusual taste. This watch also displays hours, minutes, seconds and a date at six o’clock. The right  side of the dial features four diamond hour-markers and the large company logo, while the rest of the dial is dominated by a stylized tiger head with piercing red eyes.
The Innessa has a diameter of 36 mm. You can choose between a stainless steel version with gold or pink gold coating and two bi-colour models.

The last model of the Richtenburg Diamond Line is the slim Vivana. This watch is for the more playful among us. It comes with stars and a glittering crescent moon on the dial, which together with the leather straps form a colorful unit. The Vivana also features a diamond at the twelve o’clock position.
The small case measures only 28 mm in diameter. Richtenburg offers six different versions of this wristwatch.

All models of the Richtenburg Diamond Line are powered by a Swiss quartz movement.

With this new collection Richtenburg has combined the best of all worlds. The Swiss movement is running smooth and reliable, while the watches remain affordable and meet every taste due to the multitude of variants offered.

Patek Philippe: Impressive Technology Beautifully Wrapped

Ah, with one of its newest watches, Patek Philippe seduces all the ladies out there who want a beautiful, luxurious watch that simultaneously satisfies their needs for technical excellence. As early as 2009 the manufacturer introduced a chronograph exclusively for feminine wrists. It was the debut of a classic manufacture-made chronograph movement  (column wheel, horizontal clutch, manual winding) that had been developed entirely in-house. That was also expressed by the name of the watch: Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071, built until 2016. And now, the Genevan manufacture is enriching its collection with a new, captivating model.

The new chronograph Ref. 7150/250R-001 is a technically sophisticated watch with a totally new face. The cushion-shaped case has been replaced with an elegant, round rose-gold case with a diameter of 38 mm featuring a bezel set with 72 diamonds. Its timelessly sleek design is emphasized by refined vintage looking details such as the fluted and curved lugs, the round chronograph pushers with guilloched faces, and the cambered sapphire-crystal „box“ glass. The case is water-resistant up to 3 bar.

The silvery opaline dial also combines a contemporary style with classic aesthetics, showcasing sculpted Breguet hour and minute hands in rose gold and a display layout that makes it eminently legible. At 3.30 you’ll find the 30-minute-counter and the running seconds is placed at 9.30. The pulsometer scale of the new model pays tribute to the tradition of classic chronographs that can measure the cadence of an active lifestyle or slightly increased heart rate of its proud owner.

The compact case accommodates the manually winding calibre CH 29-535 PS movement with an instantaneous 30-minute counter. Patek Philippe has crowned its classic architecture with six patented innovations and its lavish finissage can be admired through the box-type sapphire-crystal case back that is slightly chamfered to echo the profil of the rear bezel. The movement works with 28.800 vph and boasts a power reserve of 65 hours.

The Ref. 7150/250R-001 is worn on a shiny mink gray alligator leather strap. Its rose gold buckle is encrusted with 27 diamonds.

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.