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.

Mido Baroncelli Mechanical Limited Edition

Mido presents its slimmest mechanical watch to date: The exclusive, elegant and very slim Baroncelli Mechanical Limited Edition. This watch is a streamlined, etheral interpretation that, thanks to its radiant appearance, perfectly reflects the brand’s classic watch heritage.
Mido created the Baroncelli collection back in 1976, celebrating the timeless beauty of the Rennes Opera House. This building has always stood out both for its rich programme of performances and for the harmony of its neoclassical construction. Mido took inspiration from its rounded architecture as well as the statues of the Muses of Antiquity placed on top of the façade.

Perfectly representing Mido and its history, which has been marked by numerous creations with timeless designs, the Baroncelli Mechanical Limited Edition is dedicated to fine watchmaking enthusiasts. For the dial, a deep black lacquer was chosen and diamond-cut hands and indexes with rose gold PVD-treatment stand out against the glossy background. At 6 o’clock, a small second is positioned and the Mido Mechanical signature and the „Limited Edition“ inscription at 3’clock highlight the rarity of each watch in this series.

The Baroncelli Mechanical Limited Edition is powered by a very slim mechanical movement. It is approximately 2.5 mm thick, making this watch the slimmest mechanical calibre to be offered by Mido. The movement is based on the ETA 7002; it operates at a frequency of 21,600 Hz and offers a power reserve of at least 42 hours. In keeping with tradition, Geneva stripes adorn the components visible throught the sapphire crystal case back which is engraved with the individual serial number of each model.
All this is housed in a polished case featuring rose gold PVD-coating, less than 7 mm high in total. The case is also water-resistant up to 3 atm.

The Baroncelli Mechanical Limited Edition consists of only 2020 watches. Mido paires every one of them with a black semi-matt crocodile-look lether strap and a folding clasp.

A new Seiko with Urushi Dial

Seiko recently introduced a new, extremely slim design in its Elegance-Collection. The combination of a new case and a hand-wound calibre with a small second and Urushi lacquer expresses the unique Japanese aesthetic of Grand Seiko.

The new Urushi creation, available in two versions, combines two outstanding Japanese crafts. Thanks to the watchmaker’s skills, every detail reflects Grand Seiko’s understated design aesthetics.
The dial and sapphire crystal are so slightly curved to give the watches a classic look. The minute hand as well as the hand of the power reserve are slightly curved to follow the contours of the dial.
The Urushi dials are made by a master craftsman. He also applies the hour markings and the letters „GS“ with the traditional Maki-e technique to the dials of the watches. By applying the lacquer in layers, the markings are given a three-dimensional profile and a decentralised presence on the dial. A gold or platinum powder is then applied and the surface polished. This process gives the Maki-e its discreetly shimmering appearance.
With the dials at the centre, the subsidiary dials for the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the power-reserve indicator at 3 o’clock are subtle and understated.

The case is polished with a special Zaratsu technique that underlines the beauty of the curved surfaces. It has a diameter of 39 mm and is water-resistant up to 3 bar.
Inside works the 9S63 calibre, which is a significant addition to the ever-growing number of Grand Seiko movements. Eight years have passed since Grand Seiko unveiled its last mechanical hand-wound calibre, but we’d say it was worth the wait.
The 9S63 operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, offers a power reserve of 72 hours and is highly accurate with a deviation of +5 to -3 seconds.

The new Design Series consists of three limited editions. Seiko has combined the two Urushi versions with a red gold case and limited each to 150 pieces. The third model has a stainless steel case and a blue dial and will come in a edition of 1.500 pieces. In July, a version with a gold case will expand the collection.
All models are complemented by a crocodile leather strap.

Always Trending: Chronographs

Since the first chronographs were introduced, they became hugely popular and with good reason. Some feature a tachymeter scale with which lap times can be calculated, some show chronograph hours and minutes, some only minutes. All of them feature subdials and a small second. Apart from these functions, chronographs are also popular because of there sporty looks – but many of them can also be worn to the office without difficulty – they are just gloriously versatile.
We are introducing five of them today.

Two chronographs of Chrono Diamond made the cut. The first one is the Argos, named after the hero of the same name and fellow of Jason from the argonaut myth of Apollonios of Rhodos. And the watch ought to accompany its owner just as reliably. Its design is reduced and simply elegant. It shows hours, minutes, the running seconds at 9 o’clock, the chronograph minutes at 3 and the chronograph hours at 6 o’clock. The Argos shows day and month in two windows at 12 o’clock; the date is shown by a fourth central hand with a small crescent moon tip.
The Argos is powered by a quartz movement and you’ll have the choice between twelve different models: in stainless steel, with gold and pink gold PVD-coating and different coloured dials. All variations come with a leather bracelet.

The Chrono Diamond Nestor stands out with a dial that accentuates the functions of the subdials extravagantly. At 2.30 o’clock you’ll find the running seconds, at 6 o’clock the chronograph hours and at 10.30 the chronograph minutes. At 4 o’clock a small date window is placed. The dial is textured and of course, it bears the for Chrono Diamond characteristic diamonds.
Chrono Diamond offers nine different versions of the Nestor; with dark and fair dials, in stainless steel and with gold PVD-coating, with a metal bracelet or leather strap. All of them are powered by a reliable quartz movement. All-Chrono Diamond watches are Swiss Made.

The Festina Chrono Bike-Line has a longstanding tradition and is a hommage to bicycle racing. So it is no surprise that the watch manufacturer could win Richard Virenque as ambassador. The french road racing cyclist was a climber, winning the King of the Mountains competition of the Tour de France a record of seven times. During his active time he was part of the Festina Team and the partnership between them remains to this day.
The Chrono Bike chronographs come in a variety of designs. The latest model features a stainless steel 44-mm-case, the dial is protected by mineral glass. The subdials for the running seconds, chronograph minutes and chronograph hours contrast sharply with the rest of the dial.

The Longines Conquest V.H.P. comes in many different colours and designs; some in stainless steel and some in black PVD-coating. The sober case is complemented by an articulate dial. Except for the big Arabic 12, Longines opted for plain indices which are equipped with the same greenish lume as the minute and hour hands. Red accents highlight the chronograph functions – the central seconds hand, the hands of the chronograph minutes at 3 o’clock and the chronograph hours at 9 o’clock. The subdial at 6 o’clock shows the running seconds.
The Conquest V.H.P. is powered by an reliable, high-quality ETA quartz movement.

The last chronograph we’re introducing in this feature is the rugged Mathieu Legrand Avant-Garde. This model is for fans of larger, more masculine watches. The indices, the big Arabic 12, as well as the hour and minute hands are generously coated with lume, so perfect readability is given at all times, even in the dark. The chronograph seconds and the subdials are highlighted with colour. At 4.30 you’ll find a big date window.
The Avant-Garde is powerd by a Swiss made quartz movement and comes in four different versions – three with a black, one with a fair dial; in stainless steel, with a PVD-coating in gold or in a bi-colour design.

Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear

The Regulator was the first stand-alone model in the history of Chronoswiss and in subsequent years, it quickly became the brand’s central motif and standard bearer. It is therefore only logical that the design team pays special attention to the Regulator on its 30th birthday, which is also the 35th anniversary of Chronoswiss itself. Following the 3D dials and skeletonizations of recent years, the manufacturer is now introducing the Flying Regulator Open Gear, a model which provides unexpected insights.

To produce a Regulator, a modification of the movement is necessary. Normally, it is hidden from prying eyes underneath the dial. But in this new version it has not only been made visible but also showcased as a central design element, hence the name „Open Gear“.
Its dial is simultaneously its module board, onto which the train wheel bridges of the skeletonized gears are mounted. These move on four ruby bearings, generating the least possible friction. The train wheel bridges have also been skeletonized and boast carefully angled and polished edges. Six screws keep them reliably in their intended place on the dial. This is how functional design is done.
At 6 o’clock on the dial, the Flying Regulator Open Gear reveals an exciting insight. The dial and the bridge have been skeletonized at the height of the small second so that you can see the second wheel in action. As the associated seconds scale – just like the display at 12 o’clock – floats above the dial on a funnel-like display, the gaze is virtually drawn towards the inner workings and to the seconds wheel, designed to look like a rotary dial.
Super-LumiNova inlays on the hands and indexes ensure best legibility, even in the dark.

Chronoswiss offers the timepiece in four different color combinations: in purist stainless steel with dials in galvanic blue, black or silver, or timeless elegant in a red gold case with a galvanic silver dial.

The Flying Regulator Open Gear is a pure Chronoswiss development – from the design to the dial module.
This watch will only be available as a limited edition.

Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Enamel

Ulysse Nardin has added a new version to its Classic Dual Time collection. As with many of its timepieces, this Classic Dual Time Enamel watch unites three fundamentals of Ulysse Nardin: technical avant-garde with the unse of Silicium in the movement, in-house manufacturing and excellent craftsmanship with its eggshell Grand Feu enamel dial.

Grand Feu designates an enameling technique that goes back to the 17th century, and that is practiced today only by a handful of craftsmen, including those at Ulysse Nardin specialists Donzé Cadrans. its delicate beauty has an eternal quality. On the dial, oversized roman numerals and black hands set off the double date display at 2 o’clock, and the oversized small seconds at 6 o’clock.
Equipped with the patented Dual Time zone feature, this timepiece is instantly adjustable both forwards and backwards with a mere push of a button. These buttons feature at the 8 and 10 o’clock positions. When pressed, the pushers adjust the hour hand to a different time zone while the home indicator at 9 o’clock continues its 24-hour cycle. An impressive mechanical complication that is very easy to use. The time and date setting is another example of the watchmaker’s perpetual quest for innovation in action. The selector is integrated in the crown allowing to change settings without pulling and pushing the crown.

Inside the watch works a self-winding calibre, the UN-324. This in-house movement, entirely designed and produced by Ulysse Nardin, provides a 48-hour power reserve. It lies in a stainless steel case which sports a diameter of 42 mm and is water resistant to 30 metres. It is held on the wrist by a leather strap.

An enviable fusion of form and function, and a tribute to exquisite craftsmanship, the Classic Dual Time Enamel is a limited edition of 99 timepieces available exclusively at Ulysse Nardin boutiques.

The Mathieu Legrand Mille Étoiles Sparkles, Glistens, Twinkles

Mathieu Legrand is adding some serious bling-bling to its current collection with the new Mille Étoiles. The watch manufacturer is introducing this new watch in two different versions – in gold and rosé gold – both equally cool. We’ve heard there might be a third one in the making but we couldn’t get our hands on it – or confirmation by the manufacturer for that matter- just yet.
This women’s watch is a real head-turner due to the numerous zirconia on its dial and with one of these two you are definitely going to draw attention to your wrist – and yourself. The Mille Étoiles is not for the watch lover who likes an understated look because with one of these watches a place in the spotlight is guaranteed.

The Mathieu Legrand Mille Étoiles features a fully paved dial, a small date window at 3 o’clock and a big small seconds including a black railway minuterie at 6 o’clock. The manufacturer has decided against traditional numerals or indexes and opted for coloured zirconia. These are of a deep blue in the rose gold version and of a bright green in the gold version. The dial is protected by a scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
The bezel, the sides of the case as well as parts of the bracelet and the clasp are polished. This parts contrast nicely with the brushed parts, generating an overall charming look. The case measures 40 mm in diameter and is water resistant up to 10 atm.

The Mathieu Legrand Mille Étoiles is powered by a Swiss made quartz movement, providing great reliability combined with highest precision. It lies within a stainless steel case with PVD coating in gold or rosé gold.

Overall, this beautifully balanced watch will make for a stunning, reliable companion. It can easily be worn every day as well as on special occasions, and with its moderate size it should fit on most wrists. We already love the Mille Étoiles and are sure, you will too.

A New Chronograph: The Chrono Diamond Okeanos

Swiss watchmaker Chrono Diamond is now around for seven years and is committed to produce nicely made, reliable watches, aiming higher with each new model they create. And the Okeanos is no exception. The brand added this watch recently to its current collection, combining a toothed bezel, three subdials and a rubber strap. This handsome, classic chronograph can be worn on a daily basis.
We are sure that the Okeanos will evolve into one of the favourite models in Chrono Diamond’s collection with its rugged, beautifully balanced looks. It combines a nice case with an attractive dial, featuring an interesting woven pattern.

The dial is dominated by the highly polished indexes and hands. The hour and minute hands are slightly skeletonized and equipped with a tip made of lume, providing best legibility even at night.
The subdial at 3 o’clock is for the running seconds, the chronograph hours are displayed at 6 o’clock, the chronograph minutes at 9 o’clock. At 12 o’clock dominates a big date. We would have loved to see the date wheel matching the colour of the dial, making the date a little less intrusive, but okay.
The characteristic Chrono Diamond diamonds are replacing the indexes at 12 and 6 o’clock.

The case measures 41 millimetres in diameter and 11 millimetres in height which makes this watch not at all overly dominant. The classic design of the chronograph surely fits most wrists and we can imagine that the Okeanos will be attractive for women too, although it is promoted as a men’s watch.
The case combines a toothed, polished bezel with brushed sides and lugs, adding to an overall attractive look.

The Chrono Diamond Okeanos is powered by a Swiss made quartz movement which assures highest reliability and precision. It offers everything you’d need out of a three-register chronograph.
Highly functional and handsome, this watch will be a trustworthy partner in every situation. Chrono Diamond offers four different coloured versions.

Time For An Update: The Lange 1 Moon Phase of Lange & Söhne

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The Lange 1 Moon Phase by A. Lange & Söhne is around since 2002. The Lange 1 received an upgrade quite recently and now it’s the turn of the Lange 1 Moon Phase. The watch now comes with a new calibre and the moon phase has also changed: it now contains a day/night indicator as well.

The arrangement of the moon phase display is based on a new, particularly realistic concept. A separate solid-gold moon pursues its orbit in the foreground. Behind it, a celestial dis – also made of solid gold – performs one revolution every 24 hours. On the disc, the different times of day are represented by varying blue hues caused by interference effects. During the day, it shows a bright sky without stars, while at night it depicts a dark sky with prominently contrasting laser-cut stars.
The lunar cycle endures 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds on average. The Lange 1 Moon Phase displays it so accurately that it takes 122.6 years for the display to deviate from the true synodic period by just one day.

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The asymmetric solid-silver dial sets a harmonious stage for the luminous time and power-reserve indications complemented with an outsize date, the moon-phase display, and the day/night indicator. Hours and minutes are displayed on a big subdial at 9 o’clock, the power-reserve indicator lies below the date at 3 o’clock. And A. Lange & Söhne incorporated the small seconds in the moon-phase display.

The now 20th (!) Lange calibre with a moon-phase display is based on the Lange 1 movement introduced two years ago, and it has the same performance attributes. This includes the maximum power reserve of 72 hours and the precisely jumping outsize date display. It beats with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour.
The 70 parts for the moon-phase display were so integrated in the L121.3 manufacture calibre that it is only marginally larger than the calibre L121.1 inside the Lange 1.

The Lange 1 Moon Phase is available in white gold with a black dial (39.500€), in pink gold with an argenté dial (35.900€) and in platinum with a rhodié dial (52.000€).
Also, A. Lange & Söhne can now be found on Instagram. Apart from news and new models the manufacturer wants to offer exclusive looks behind the scenes.

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Bulgari Diagono Magnesium: A New Twist On A Classic

Bulgari presents with the Diagono a sports watch that is in a league of its own. The whole collection is technical and sophisticated and readily adopts an urban, cosmopolitan attitude. Its versatile nature stems from its inspiration rooted in ancient history – in Ancient Greek to be exact. The name Diagono comes from the word agôn, a classic term expressing competition and efficiency demonstrated in compliance with the rules of sportsmanship, in an inherently elegant matter.
The symbol of Myron’s Discobolus – the Discus Thrower – sets the tone for the Bulgari Diagono watches. The Discus Thrower is the best-known work by Myron of Eleutherae, who earned a major place in the history of art and became famous for both his inventiveness and boldness.
The design of the new Diagono Magnesium is inspired by the balance of grace, strength, power and agility in Myron’s works. And of course the watches pay tribute to the precision of Swiss watchmaking and Italian creative brilliance.

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Back in 1998 the Diagono was one of the very first watches to use materials such as aluminium, which caused a major upheaval in the design world. With the age of titanium came a fresh boldness, a new wager and further success. Last year, Bulgari introduced a whole new technological dimension with the use of magnesium and the combination of three technical materials.
The Bulgari Diagono Magnesium is not short on style: The watch is resolutely contemporary and confidently asserting both its sportiness and its sophistication. The Diagono brings style to every occasion, every circumstance and every situation.

The magnesium case is very light and is coated with motorlac which protects the case and at the same time creates a granulated texture and colourful new reflective effects. The bezel is made from ceramic, a light and scratch-resistant material.
It comes with a diameter of 42.5 mm,  in a lacquered red, blue, grey or black version. Every one of them is water resistant up to 100 m. The dials come in matching colours and they feature three subdials: A 12-hour-counter on 6 o’clock, a 30-minute-counter on 9 o’clock, and a small second on six a clock. Bulgari also found place for a small date window at 4.30.

The Bulgari Diagono Magnesium Chronograph is powered by a mechanical self-winding movement. The calibre B130 works at 4 Hz and provides a 42-hour power reserve.
The watch comes with a vulcanised rubber strap.

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