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.

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.

Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional

The Tissot family of dive watches has just recently grown: With the Seastar 2000 Professional, the ranks of the current collection are now reinforced by a new, advanced and technical watch. Its profile ticks every box for a high-performance timepiece and with its wave-patterend blue dial and its uncompromising design, it truly emphasises its connection to the diving world.

Like many other manufacturers, Tissot likes to include an indiction of its watches performance level in their names. The Seastar 1000, for example, was capable of resisting pressure to a depth of 1,000 feet (300 metres). The Seastar 2000 Professional is, in turn, able to cope with depths of up to 2,000 feet, equivalent to 60 atm or 600 metres. Its dimensions are also responsible that the watch meets all the criteria of he ISO 6425 standard that governs dive watches. At 46 mm in diameter by 16,25 mm thick, the Tissot Seastar 2000 is packing an impressive amount of steel, ensuring an intrinsic robustness. The flat surfaces of the case are polished, the vertical ones satin-finished and everything is completed by a very thick, bulging, domed sapphire glass with a bevelled contour. The case back is also made of sapphire crystal, which is rare for this degree of pressure resistance, which usually calls for metal case backs. On the glass,
Tissot has placed a seahorse, the symbol of its dive watches.
At the 9 o’clock position, the case is fitted with a helium valve. It ensures that the helium in the case can safely exit the watch without causing damage.

The essential diver’s bezel is made of steel, with a rim marked with deep notches. These are intended for improved grip, even with wet hands or with gloves. The graduated 60-minute insert is made of black ceramic. Of course, this bezel turns only in anti-clockwise direction to prevent an accidental extension of the dive time.
The bezel frames a beautiful blue dial with gradient coloring – deep blue on the outside, turqouise in the middle – and a beautiful engraved wave pattern. Tissot placed a small date window at 6 o’clock. The hour, minute and seconds hand are, like the indexes, equipped with Super-LumiNova ensuring a good readability in the dark as well as in the depth of the sea.

Inside the Seastar 2000 works the Powermatic 80 tirelessly and reliably. This powerhouse of an automatic movement is operating at a frequency of 3 Hz, is equipped with a new and anti-magnetic balance-spring made from Nivachron and provides a power-reserve of 80 hours.

Tissot equips the Seastar 2000 Professional with a rubber strap and a stainless steel bracelet.

Delbana Celebrates Its 90th Anniversary

This year, Delbana celebrates 90 years of watchmaking, a significant milestone and success. And of course, the manufacture set out to create a new series of automatic timepieces inspired by its own history under the name of a classic: The Delbana Recordmaster.
Originally introduced as a men’s model in the 1950s, the new Recordmaster I embodies Delbana’s heritage and DNA of quality and style at an affordable price. And this new watch is marketed to men and women alike.

When the Recordmaster was originally released, advancements in vinyl records had a profound impact on the music industry and society as a whole. The new method of recording and transmitting sound has been replaced by continuously changing audio formats but remains a nostalgic and cherished part of history – and for a lot of people vinyl records are not a thing of the past at all. The 1950s and 60s also represent a prime moment in Delbana’s history, a time period, where some of the brand’s most innovative models were introduced.

True to the original, the design of the new Recordmaster I is characterized by a series of stepped black microgrooves which mimic the texture of a vinyl record and serve as a backdrop for applied arrowhead indexes and retro Arabic numerals. The perimeter of the dial is further appointed with the minute track containing oversized circular hour markers that provide a whimsical touch and remind of sheet music and notes while the center of the dial is detailed with a delicate silver guilloche pattern. Delbana has equipped the hour markers as well as the hands with a generous amount of lume, therefore readability is a given, even in the dark.
The minute and hour hands are not only luminous but cathedral shaped, while the seconds hand comes in a striking red. A vintage Delbana logo recalls the classic inspiration while the addition of the date at 3 o’clock adds a further design element and convenience.

The ridged crown is engraved with the Delbana tower and solidifies the well-proportioned design. At 40 mm in diameter, the size of the new model is slightly larger than those of the past while practical and comfortable for daily wear. The polished stainless steel surfaces of the case and clasp give it a modern yet very classic appearance. The case is water resistant up to 5 atm.

The automatic movement Delbana chose for the Recordmaster I recalls early pieces of the manufacture, before quartz was introduced. The Sellita SW 200-1 is visible through a transparent case back to allow the owner to experience the joy of an automatic Swiss Made wristwatch. It works tirelessly at 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of about 38 hours.

Delbana offers the Recordmaster I on a black leather strap.
This watch is a limited edition which consists of only 90 pieces.

MeisterSinger Celebrates 20 Years with a Special Edition

Over the past 20 years, MeisterSinger mechanical watches have revolutionised the display of time. They display the time with great precision and in an unusual way – using only one hand. In doing so, the manufacture takes inspiration from the first mechanical timepieces from the late Middle Ages. They literally point to that one fleeting moment in time, conveying a reassuring sense of time.
And to celebrate its 20th anniversary, MeisterSinger is celebrating in style – with a limited edition. We’re introducing The Astroscope: An astronomical spectacle.

The Astroscope Edition displays the weekdays in a way never seen before; in relation to the celestial bodies that have been attributed to the various days of the week since ancient times. Whereas the sun and moon divide our time into day and night and the twelve months of the year, the division into seven-day weeks does not follow an astronomical rhythm but has more of a mythological background. This method likely dates back to the Babylonians, who considered the number seven to be sacred and connected with seven celestial bodies: The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Just as most planets are named after Roman gods, most days of the week take their corresponding names from Norse mythology. Throughout history, the allocation of the days of the week to celestial bodies has endured the test of time. Accordingly, the symbols of the planets are found on the Astroscope. A bright dot indicates the current day.
The new version is equipped with a dark dial that represents the night sky. The numerals are depicted in a fine serif typeface and the astronomical symbols are designed in luminous orange. Together with the luminous hand, the time can also be easily read at night. An intimated horizon arches above the circular date window and the company logo, enhancing the impression that the viewer is looking up at the sky.

The MeisterSinger Astroscope is powered by a Swiss automatic movement, the Sellita SW 220, which provides a power reserve of 38 hours. It can be viewed through a screwed-down glass back – along with all the finishes and the continuously operating oscillating weight.
MeisterSinger has opted for a stainless steel case. It has a diameter of a slender 40 mm and is water-resistant to 5 bar.

This Astroscope is a limited edition of 100 pieces.
All models are equipped with a soft calfskin strap. Its orange colour picks up the colours of the dial and provides a continuous look.

A Futuristic Heritage: Hamilton’s Ventura

In 1957 Hamilton created the first electronic watch which was the watch of the future then. It came in an unconventional three-sided case with a pulse line adorning the dial. With this watch, science-fiction became reality. No wonder the Ventura quickly achieved a very iconic status. And now Hamilton has unveiled a new triangular timepiece for the world of tomorrow, once again taking the Ventura to its futuristic heritage – may we present the Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton.

With the new Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton, this space age-icon presents its most futuristic side yet. Hamilton has reinterpreted the classic appearance of the Ventura to create the slee, ergonomic Elvis80 Skeleton case shape, named after the original Ventura’s most famous fan – Elvis Presley, the King himself.
The Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton is an automatic rather than electronic watch that celebrates watchmaking in all its forms – with a clear view of the mechanics revealed through its skeletonised movement.

Hamilton has equipped the Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton with a stainless steel case. It sports a diameter of 42.5 mm and a height of 44.6 mm and comes with either a PVD coating in pink gold or black. The case is water-resistant to 5 atm.
The dials of the two versions of the Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton also differ in colour. Both come in the basic colour black, but while the pulse line on the pink gold version matches the case, Hamilton has opted for a red accent on the black watch. To ensure excellent legibility at all times, the hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. A scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal lies over both dials.
The H-10-S movement can be seen through the open dial. It is an uncompromising calibre that boasts a power reserve of 80 hours and a Côtes de Genève finish.

The Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton is completed by a rubber strap.
With this modern evolution of a visionary classic on your wrist, the future can come.

Urwerk presents the EMC TimeHunter Stormtrooper

For the new Urwerk EMC TimeHunter White Ceramic the nickname „Stormtrooper“ was chosen. Everyone who knows Baumgartner & Frei is not surprised by this choice because of their love of science fiction and the heavy influence of the Star Wars universe on their own designs over the years. The signature armour of the Stormtrooper was an instant icon ever since it appeared on screen in 1977. The Stormtrooper was designed to intimidate but also to look super cool and super clean.
The EMC Stormtrooper evokes the same characteristics. The whole watch belongs like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, and for this limited edition the white ceramic case set it apart from the previous models, indeed all previous Urwerk watches. Because gone is the trademark black look, as the manufacture embraces white for the first time in its history.

The EMC TimeHunter Stormtrooper belongs to the Ur-Chronometry family, which encompasses Urwerk watchmaking concepts dedicated to outstanding precision. An EMC TimeHunter is essentially a dual measuring instrument. Its appearance and even its surface all signal its nature. The EMC Stormtrooper is crafted from steel and its caseback from titanium. Its aesthetic is not round, square or cushion-like, nor indeed any of Urwerk’s signature indefinable shapes. This hyper-technical machine hugs the contours of the movement inside and submits to the constraints of its various organs. It is not symmetrical, regular, flat or curved, yet remains aesthetically pleasing and distinctive, embodying a truly unique personality.
Moreover, its stainless steel „hood“ is micro-beadblasted and then given a hard, matt ceramic lacquer-type treatment. As a result, the surface of the EMC TimeHunter „Stormtrooper“ has a grainy finish reminiscent of military equipment. The case measures 43 mm in diameter and 51 mm in length and is water-resistant up to 3 atm.

The same functionalism reigns on the dial with its matt black surfaces. Each indication zone has its own clearly marked space. Each unit is painted with fluorescent green Super-LumiNova to perfect the contrasts. In addition to the main dial with its chequered hand grenade pattern, which displays the hours and minutes, the EMC TimeHunter features a smal disc-type seconds hand at 1 o’clock, graduated in five-second increments. It is complemented by a power-reserve indicator at 7 o’clock.
The indications linked to the chronometric monitoring function are concentrated at 11 o’clock and indicated by the „EM Control“ marking on the screw-down bezel.

At the very heart of the EMC concept lies an electronic/mechanical system that makes each of these timepieces one-of-a-kind, bestriding two worlds. It is an entirely mechanical watch, optimised with the help of an electro-optical circuit. Designed exclusively for the EMC collections, the UR-EMC2 calibre is entirely crafted, finished, assembled and adjusted by Urwerk.
It incorporates an electronic module whose function it is to measure the rate of the mechanical part. It has its own power source, separate from the rest of the movement. On one side the engine, on the other, the control unit. These two integrated units make the EMC TimeHunter a truly wearer-adjustable watch.
The hand-wound movement works at a frequency of 4 Hz and offers a power reserve of a maximum of 80 hours.

The EMC TimeHunter Stormtrooper is a very limited edition of only 5 pieces.

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.

Conquering the Deep with the Oyster Perpetual Submariner

Rolex recently introduced the new generation of its Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, watches that exemplify the historic links between Rolex and the world of diving. Both timepieces now feature a redesigned, slightly larger case and are fitted on a remodelled bracelet. Equipped with movements that focus on a high reliability and absolute performance, the two models are suitable for daily use above and below the surface.
Rolex experimented with diving watches as early as the early 1950s and introduced its first Submariner in 1953, the first divers‘ watch waterproof at a depth of 100 metres. Just a year later, the waterproofness of the Submariner was increased to a depth of 200 metres. The watch was soon fitted with other technical innovations until the Submariner and Submariner Date gradually began to explore the world beyond the oceans. Today, these tool watches have become archetypes of the action watch on land as underwater.

When diving, being able to read the time with absolute certainty is a matter of survival. Therefore, the dial of the Submariner watches is designed to be clean and unambiguous. The hour and minute hands, clearly differentiated in size and shape, and the hour markers in simple geometric forms enable instant and reliable reading, preventing any risk of confusion underwater.
The Submariner and Submariner Date also feature a Chromalight display: the hands and hour markers are coated or filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions. On the bezel, the triangular zero marker is also visible in darkness.
The crystal used is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and, on the Submariner Date, is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date.

The unidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in black, green or blue ceramic that allows divers to confidently monitor their dive time. It is placed on top of the Oyster case, which is a paragon of robustness and reliability. This case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 300 metres and its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a corrosion-resistant alloy, or from white gold.

Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Submariner and the Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date carry the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist. The watches are equipped with the calibres 3230 and 3235; movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Both automatic movements offer fundamental gains in terms of precision, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability. They also offer a power reserve of approx. 70 hours.
These versions of the Submariner and Submariner Date are fitted with an Oyster bracelet.

The Hindenberg Air Lancer Is a Beautiful Tribute to Aviation

From the very first models in the very first collection, watch manufacturer Hindenberg made one thing very clear – that its heart beats for aviation and iconic pilot’s watches. Today, we are going to introduce one of the Swiss made models in the current collection, the Hindenberg Air Lancer. This watch combines a beautiful classic look with impeccable Swiss quality.

The dial boasts two bold and different types of cutouts. Through the middle one parts of the movements can be seen while the two lateral ones operate as an unconvential date display. The date indication can be found at three o’clock via a small blue arrow. At nine o’clock we meet the cutout of the date disc once again – a beautiful detail that would otherwise stay hidden beneath the dial.
Overall, the compact indices predominate, but at three, six and nine o’clock, Hindenberg has opted for Arabic numerals. The logo appears at twelve o’clock. Due to the generously sized hands, the Hindenberg Air Lancer offers excellent readability. The minute and hour hands are also filled with lume to guarantee this excellent legibility throughout the night.
The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

The Hindenberg Air Lancer features a 42-mm-stainless steel case, measuring 11 mm in height. The watch sits prominently on the wrist without being overpowering and it slips under every sleeve with ease.
The case is water resistant up to 10 atm.

This watch is powered by a reliable, automatic movement. The Sellita SW200-1 is a swiss made calibre, known in the industry for its absolute reliability and precision. This movement features hours, minutes and a central second hand, as well as a date display. Fully wound, it provides a power reserve of up to 38 hours.

Hindenberg provides the Air Lancer with a beautiful leather strap, white contrast stitching including which beautifully complements the look of the dial.
The Air Lancer comes in four different versions; a stainless steel model with a silver coloured dial, two with a black dial – one of which also features a black PVD-coated case – and one brown model.