Big, Bigger, Graham Chronofighter Grand Vintage

The Graham Chronofighter Grand Vintage definitely means business and is not subtle in any way like, at all.The watch manufacturer thinks big and doesn’t shy away from transforming its big ideas into big watches. Into four of them, in this particular case. These timepieces shall transfer its wearer back to the 1940s and therefore bridge the gap between yesterday to today.

To stick to the point: The trigger on the left-hand side of the case acts as a symbolic bridge between nostalgia and modernity. Originally placed there for easy thumb-activated operation in the cockpit, the placement of the crown is now a reminder of Graham’s roots in aviation.
The case’s large diameter of 47 mm serves to enhance legibility of the chronograph dial, as well as adding an additional active signature. The stainless steel case also guarantees a water resistance of 10 bar.

A domed sapphire crystal integrates a magnifier for the date at nine o’clock. Just to be sure that solar power can be put to aesthetic use, a steel satin-brushed bezel and sunbrushed dial with a gradient are ready to catch the rays.
Inside the case works the calibre G1747, a Swiss made automatic movement. It features an Incablock shock absorber and a power reserve of approximately 48 minutes.

All dials of the Chronofighter Grand Vintage are equipped with a sunbrushed dial that also features a gradient; getting darker around the edges. One can choose from four colours: blue, brown, silver or black. The big hands, numerals and indices are coated with Super-LumiNova. At three and six o’clock Graham has placed two subtly overlapping subdials; the one at 3 o’clock showing the running seconds, the one at 6 o’clock the 30-minute-counter of the chronograph. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating which also features a magnifier above the date window at 9 o’clock.
Behind the dial, the calibre G1747 is working tirelessly. It is an automatic chronograph movement, working at 4 Hz and providing a power reserve of 48 hours.

The four Chronofighter Grand Vintage watches feature sporty rubber straps in black or green with a distinctive Milanese-style mesh pattern – newcomers to the family. A calf leather variant in blue is geared to those wishing to confidently cling on to a classic.

Tudor Heritage Chrono and Chrono Blue

In the saga of Tudor historic chronographs, the reference 7169 happens to be an icon. Since its launch in 1973 it has been produced in a number of different versions, one of the most fascinating features distinctive touches of blue, grey and orange. It was produced for only a few years. We’re going to look at its new interpretation, the Heritage Chrono Blue, as well as at its black brother. Both watches share exactly the same characteristics just differing in their appearance.

Tudor’s approach to the design of these two chronographs was exactly the same as for all the watches in the Heritage line since 2010. Far from being merely a new version, these two watches are a reinterpretation in which past, present and future converge in both time and style. While all the aesthetic codes that contributed to the recognition of the historic models remain – a synthesis of the original spirit of the timepieces and a faithful reproduction of their key characteristics – Tudor’s Style Workshop has added modern touches to update the iconic spirit of these watches and endow them with a timeless strength.

The Tudor Heritage Chrono and Heritage Chrono Blue mirror the original shape and proportions of the middle cases, bezels, lugs and bracelets of the 1970s models. Only a closer look reveals a series of new design details. The bevelled and polished edges of the lugs, the stylized shoulders to protect the crown, and the knurled edge of the bidirectional rotatable bezel (featuring a black or blue aluminium insert and providing a second time zone) and of the pushers that flank a knurled crown to improve grip.
With measuring 42 mm in diameter, the stainless steel-cases are keeping up with the dimensions of today’s chronographs. They also boast a water-resistance of 150 metres.

The dials are enhanced with orange details and feature 3D applique hour markers with bevelled edges and Super-LumiNova to enhance legibility. They also feature two counters located inside two trapezoidal shapes, one at 3 o’clock for the small second’s hand, and one at 9 o’clock for the 45-minute counters, reiterating the one of the 1970s.
At 6 o’clock, Tudor placed a small date window.

The Tudor Heritage Chrono watches are powered by the calibre 2892. The self-winding mechanical movement provides a power-reserve of 42 hours.
The Tudor Heritage Chrono and Heritage Chrono Blue come with both a three-link steel bracelet as well as a black, grey and orange or blue, white orange fabric strap.

Raymond Weil Reinterprets Its Parsifal Line

Nearly three decades after its inception, Raymond Weil`s iconic parsifal collection returns this autumn 2018. First launched in the early 90’s, this heritage range for him and her has been reimagined by the Swiss watchmakers, adding a modern twist in time for gifting season.

Inspired by Richard Wagner’s last opera, this revisited collection of men’s and ladies‘ timepieces are the perfect accumulation of horology, classic aesthetics and accessible luxury. Raymond Weil shows in the new parsifal once again its deep attachment to its roots, and desire to preserve tradition as a source of inspiration – while, at the same time, refining the key design elements such as the curved outlines and cross link bracelet which have forged the identity of this symbolic collection. More key features include the gadroon bezel, classic two-tone steel and Roman numeral detailing. With a contemporary matte white dial, the crown is embellished with blue lacquer, adding a subtle pop of colour to the design.
Raymond Weil offers different versions of the new parsifal. The four men’s models all come with roman numerals, but different dials: black, blue or white with cases made from stainless steel and one in two-tone steel with a white dial. The ladies‘ parsifal comes in six different versions: Some are equipped with diamonds instead of roman numerals and there are two watches sporting a beautiful mother-of-pearl dial. And, as if that wouldn’t be enough, Raymond Weil also offers two watches with diamond stubbed bezels. How could one not be wooed?

 The parsifal comes with a diameter of either 41mm (the men’s version) or 30mm (the ladies‘ version). Inside a swiss made quartz movement provides the necessary power. The ladies‘ models only show hours and minutes, the men’s models also show seconds. Both versions also have a small date window at 3 o’clock.

The parsifal watches are not only a great to give for your significant other, they are also excellent for couples.

Hanhart: Black Falcon Primus Race Winner

This October, Hanhart introduced a new limited editions for adrenaline junkies and car lovers, for racecar drivers or simply the modern man with a need for speed. It is created by Black Falcon, the young motorsports company currently celebrating both national and international success, in cooperation with watch manufacturer Hanhart. The fusion of Black Falcon’s progressive design and technology with Hanhart’s more than 130 years of tradition offers unmistakable sportiness and maximum wearing comfort. The result is the Black Falcon Primus Race Winner, a chronograph which is dedicated to the Black Falcon team’s many first-place victories in international motorsports.

The black dial is partly structured and since the Black Falcon Primus Race Winner is a chronograph, it comes with two subdials. You’ll find the small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute-counter at 3 o’clock. At 6 o’clock a small, an unobtrusive date window was placed. The watch is excellent legible and not only during the day; the big Arabic numerals are not only polished but coated with Super-LumiNova, as are the index marks and skeletonized hands. The yellow details are beautiful and stop the chronograph from getting too dark.
The dial is protected by a convex sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating.

The Black Falcon Primus Race Winner is based on the iconic design of Hanhart’s Primus watches. It comes with a stainless steel case, measuring 44 mm in diameter, sporting a black DLC-coating. The fluted bezel comes with a red inlaid marking at 12 o’clock. The case is water-resistant up to 10 bar and sports the attention-grabbing trademark of Hanhart, the red button which underlines the connection between stopwatches, the first pilot’s chronographs and the new collection.
Inside lies the calibre HAN3809. The automatic chronograph movement works at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and comes with a very mediocre power reserve of 42 hours.

The Black Falcon Primus Race Winner is a limited edition watch with only 111 pieces. Every one of these watches stands for a victory the Black Falcon team achieved and comes on a black vulcanized rubber band.

Mathis Montabon Raises the Bar with a New Swiss Made Watch

Not long ago, watch manufacturer Mathis Montabon introduced a new model and raised the bar with this one: It’s entirely Swiss made, boasting an automatic calibre. The collection of Mathis Montabon is known for its variety; there are sober dress watches and ladies watches with zirconia-stubbed bezels, ones with partly skeletonized dials or analogue date displays.
But producing a completely Swiss made watch is a first for Mathis Montabon and a critically acclaimed one, too. So, let’s look at it.

The Mathis Montabon Elégance de Suisse presents itself as sober as a wristwatch can be. It is a simple three-hand-watch sporting also a date window. No frills, no experiments, no complications. We all appreciate complex watches with beautiful complications, but purism has its own charm. Mathis Montabon produces five different variations of the Elégance de Suisse – the complete silver coloured is the simplest. This model is also available with a black dial, whereas the black dial is also paired with two bi-coloured cases: stainless steel with gold and stainless steel with pink gold. The line also includes a complete golden version.

Nothing at the dial distracts from the time display. Hours, minutes and seconds are all displayed via central hands. The sunburst dial makes for a beautiful dynamic and the date window at 3 o’clock is framed. All that caters to a really good legibility, and the hands are filled with lume for ensuring legibility is also excellent in the dark.
The indices are argent or – depending on the version – golden, doubling at 12 o’clock. One of the most appealing details is the railroad minute track running around the outer rim of the dial, featuring Roman numerals. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal.

The Mathis Montabon Elégance de Suisse is powered by the Sellita SW 200-1, a Swiss automatic movement known for its reliable work. After being fully wound, it provides a power reserve of approximately 38 hours.
The calibre is housed in a stainless steel case measuring 42 mm in diameter. In the also stainless steel bracelets brushed elements alternate with polished ones, making for an appealing look.
The Elégance de Suisse is officially a men’s watch, but we can imagine, it might be also an attractive choice for many women. Especially with its moderate size.

Limited Edition: Zenith’s Newest Corporation

Mr. Porter, one of the online destinations for men’s style, has announced that it has partnered with Swiss watch manufacturer Zenith and British watch customiser Bamford Watch Department in creating a new watch. Co-creating a project and product of this nature is a first for all three partners in this undertaking. Mr. Bamford and his team worked alongside Zenith in the design of the watch, which was then entirely developed and produced in-house at Zenith’s Manufacture.

Based on the Zenith Heritage 146 model, the Chronomaster El Primero Mr. Porter takes cues from several of the brand’s historical design elements. These subtle touches include the tachymeter inspired by a 1971 El Primero, a red seconds hand, aesthetic reminders of a vintage chronograph case and centric sub-dial rings hark back to the old Zenith recorder tell-tales and motion detecting clock.
Its unique dial comes in the colour „Solar Blue“, also sporting a terrific colour gradient. The Chronomaster El Primero Mr. Porter comes with a central hour and minutes hand, as with a central chronograph seconds. At 9 o’clock you’ll find the running seconds, at 3 o’clock Zenith has placed the 30-minute-counter of the chronograph. No date window disturbs the beautiful synchronicity and balance of the dial.
The most distinctive feature – and our favourite by far – are the unusual minute-markers and the internal tachymeter scale. The latter makes for a clean, sleek bezel. Above the dial arches a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.

The stainless steel case sports an universal diameter of 38 mm and is water-resistant up to 10 atm. The case back is transparent and engraved so the owner can observe the oscillating weight with Côtes de Genève motif.
The Chronomaster El Primero Mr. Porter is powered by the powerful calibre El Primero 4069. It works at a frequency of 5 Hz and provides a power reserve of at least 50 hours.

The Chronograph comes with a blue Alcantara strap featuring white stitching designed to complement the white dial markings.
Each of these 25 limited-edition watches will be exclusively available on Mr. Porter.

Bell & Ross Goes Formula One

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

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

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

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

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

Autobahn: Nomos Glashütte in Pole Position

The newest addition to the collection of Nomos Glashütte, the Autobahn neomatik 41 date, was off to a flying start when introduced last spring. With its eclectic design, the watch not only generated a buzz, it was also nominated for the Red Dot Award – and won it in the end. It is the first big prize for this sporty automatic model – but not for Nomos Glashütte. Ten other models of the manufacturer are already honored with this esteemed prize which stands for innovative products with outstanding form, function, aesthetics and quality.
So let’s look at this new watch, which has – both aesthetically and technically – plenty to offer.

The curves of the dial and the sub-seconds entice the eye to explore this timepiece’s unfamiliar depths. The elongated date window at six o’clock is particularly easy to read, displaying three days at a glance. In addition, it is elegantly curved, integrating itself beautifully into the dial. The luminous ring of Super-LumiNova makes the Autobahn neomatik 41 date easily readable even at night. We also love the orange accents on the dial: the neomatik logo, the tip of the hour hand as well as the hand of the small seconds at 6 o’clock. The subdial of the latter is lowered very beautifully and ingeniously, creating more gentle curves and depth.

Within the slender yet robust stainless steel case, which boasts a diameter of 41 mm and a 10 atm water-resistance, ticks the second highly complex and highly precise neomatic caliber from Nomos Glashütte, this time with a date function: DUW 6101. Just like the first neomatik caliber, this one is ultra-slim – even with its self-winding mechanism and date function.
Along with the white silver-plated version, Autobahn neomatik 41 date also comes with dials in midnight blue and sports gray.

The Nomos Glashütte Autobahn neomatik 41 date is for everyone who loves clean lines, swift curves and perfectly executed surfaces. We are already convinced.

Very Vintage, Very Cool: Doxa SUB 300 Searambler „Silver Lung“

With its iconic black and yellow Aqua Lung logo, the new Doxa SUB 300 Searambler „Silver Lung“ is a hint at the history, the manufacturer shares with Jacques Cousteau as well as at the beginnings of scuba diving. The Doxa SUB was one of the first completely appropriated diver’s watches. First, the model was reissued as an anniversary edition, after that, Doxa introduced the very popular „Black Lung“, and now there’s the „Silver Lung“ edition. The latest model is also the result of a collaboration with Aqua Lung, a french manufacturer specialised in diver’s equipment and co-founded by diver legend Jacques Cousteau.

The SUB 300 Searambler „Silver Lung“ wears, like mentioned before, the conspicuous „US Divers“ Aqua Lung logo at 8 o’clock against the backdrop of its silver sunray dial. The design is based on an old prototype which was never produced.

Water-resistant up to 300 metres and with a diameter of 42 mm and only 12,4 mm in height, the Doxa SUB Searambler „Silver Lung“ sits comfortably on the wrist. Since the dial is relatively small in contrast to the cushion case, the watch appears even smaller. The bezel is sober and doesn’t appear bulky.
The dial comes with loads of vintage charm, not least because of the well-placed orange accents. To achieve an excellent visibility even in precarious light, Doxa used lume on all hands and indices. The dial is protected by a curved crystal sapphire.

The Doxa SUB 300 Searambler „Silver Lung“ is powered by the simple but very reliable ETA 2824.
The watch comes with a beautiful polished stainless steel bracelet. It comes with an extension so the watch can easily slip over the sleeve of a diving suit.

The Doxa SUB 300 Searambler „Silver Lung“ can be purchased at boutiques, but when ordered at doxawatches.com, there’s a 400€ pre-order discount – 2.190€ instead of 2.590.
The Doxa SUB 300 Searambler „Silver Lung“ is a limited edition of only 300 pieces.

Down in the Abyss with the Hindenberg Diver Professional

Not long ago, watch manufacturer Hindenberg has presented once more a new, exciting model. And in various different versions. May we introduce: The Diver Professional. The Hindenberg Diver Professional was designed as a serious tool and dive watch. This watch conquers depth up to 300 metres which is significantly more than the average diver needs, nevertheless how ambitious and serious he may be. With this dive watch on the wrist one can calmly face the abyss. The case is made from stainless steel and the teethed bezel can be easily operated even with gloves.

The dial comes with a clear design and a focus on optimum readability. Hindenberg offers three different versions of the Diver Professional – with a white, black or blue dial. The indices are, just like the skeletonised hands, filled with lume, so the time can also be read in the dark. And in the white version, the whole dial glows in the dark. A big date window is placed at 3 o’clock and to enhance its appearance, Hindenberg has opted for a cyclops lens.
The tip of the second hand and the imprint „Automatic“ in red add a welcome splash of colour to the dial.

The Diver Professional also comes with a helium valve. It ensures that potentially bottled-up gases like helium and hydrogen escape slowly when the diver rises to the surface, preventing the watch from being damaged. The valve functions fully automatic.
The diver’s watch is powered by the caliber H-17.430, a highly reliable automatic movement.

As for its measurements, the Diver Professional is not shy. With a diameter of 43 mm and with 14 mm in height, this watch makes a statement on the wrist. On the other hand, it’s not so big that it would be unpractical to wear every day. It’s understated design contributes to that. With the Diver Professional, Hindenberg isn’t providing a dress watch (the Emperor or Ascender in the current collection are happy to do that job), but ever since the invention of business casual, a diver’s watch can be worn to the office as well as on the boat.

Hindenberg offers, like mentioned earlier, three different models, all fitted with stainless steel bracelets or rubber straps. The blue version is completed by a bright blue rubber strap, matching the colour of the dial.