Mysterious: The Chronomaster Revival Shadow

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

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

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

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

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

Oris Carysfort Reef Limited Edition

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Oris’s latest high-performance limited edition diver’s watch is made in support of Coral Restoration Foundation, an organisation bringing Change for the Better to the world’s oceans. And they need it, because below the surface, a global ecological disaster is unfolding.
Over the last 30 years, scientists calculate, we have lost about 50 percent of the world’s coral reefs to coral bleaching and man-made causes. And without direct action, coral reefs could become extinct inside 80 years which would be catastrophic because they provide essential ecosystem services.
Oris supports a number of non-profits, working to secure the future of the oceans. Earlier this year, the manufacturer released the first Oris Carysfort Reef Limted Edition, a 50-piece limited edition in gold and now it’s time for the second piece in stainless steel. This year that is. Overall, this Carysfort Reef Limited Edition is the third watch Oris has produced in support of Coral Restoration Foundation.

This watch is based on the famous Oris Aquis and of course, it’s a diver’s watch. It comes in a stainless steel case which measures 43.5 mm in diameter which is on the larger side, especially for Oris. But we’re not complaining, because it gives the dial room to breathe and prevents an overcrowded, hard to read look. The case is water-resistant up to 30 bar and is equipped with a bi-directional rotating ceramic bezel. Its black and blue colors are symbolizing day and night because thanks to the engraved 24-hour scale, the bezel can show another time zone – a third one that is.

The dial is deep blue and shows the very typical, easy to read Aquis design with big hands and indices, all generously coated in Super-LumiNova for easy readability no matter the lighting conditions. The Carysfort Reef Limited Edition shows hours, minutes and seconds, all via central hands. The fourth central hand is reserved for the GMT-function. The 6 o’clock position is home to a small date window. The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.

Inside the Carysfort Reef Limited Edition works the Oris calibre 798. This automatic movement is based on the Sellita SW330-1, works at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of op to 42 hours. It is hidden behind a beautifully engraved case back.

You probably already figured that the Carysfort Reef Limited Edition is a limited edition. There will be 2.000 watches available.

The Longines Heritage Classic Tuxedo

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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

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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.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Introduces the New Reverso One

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Almost 90 years ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a wristwatch that was destined to become a classic of 20th-century design: the Reverso. As an object that so deftly synthesised form and function, it has become one of the most immediately recognisable watches of all time, looking as fresh and modern today as when it first appeared.
This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new aesthetic interpretation of the popular Reverso One women’s watch. Distinguished, like all Reverso models, by the strength and purity of line derived from the original Art Deco design, this new watch adds fresh colour and new refinement to the collection.

The beautifully understated composition of the Reverso One receives a jolt of bold colour, with a vivid new red-wine dial. The rich glow is achived by applying multiple layers of lacquer over a subtle sunray guilloché pattern and is complemented by finely drawn lines that define the four corners of the dial and light and airy Arabic numerals in white that look alsmost as if they have been hand-sketched.

With its elongated case – a design inspired by the very first Reverso Lady model of 1931 – and a row of grain-set diamonds defining the gadroons at the upper and lower edges of the case, the Reverso One interprets femininity in classically refined style.
The case itself is made from stainless steel with its back still blank, just waiting to be engraved by its owner. After all, engraved watches are a classic in their own right. Measuring 40 x 20 x 7.9 mm, the new Reverso One is perfectly proportioned for the female wrist. It is also waterproof up to 3 bar.
The watch is powered by the calibre 657, a reliable, high quality quartz movement.

The new Reverso One is worn on a shiny alligator leather strap whose red colour is perfectly matched to the colour of the dial.

New Timepiece with Style and Depth from Certina

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Elegant and functional, innovative and mindful of tradition: the latest incarnation of the Certina DS PH200M has many facets. Even though the watch has matured both externally and internally, it remains thoroughly true to the 2018 model of the same name: as the successor to a historic timepiece with a marked underwater affinity, the new model is equally committed to its underwater connection.

Certina equipped the DS PH200M with a sturdy stainless steel case which leaves a lasting impression with its diameter of 42.8 mm in. It is further enhanced by a convex rotating bezel in dark blue ceramic with a gold-coloured scale. Super-LumiNova highlights on the dark blue dial, the hands and the bezel provide orientation even when visibility is poor – whether the cause is nightly darkness or the depths of the ocean.
In addition to hours, minutes and seconds, which are all displayed centrally, the DS PH200M also provides a date display in a small window at the 3 o’clock position.

The increased resiliance of the watch in general – and a water-resistance up to 20 bar – is ensured not only by the traditional DS Concept, which comes into effect once again in this new edition, but also the screw-down crown and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, which protects the dial of the DS PH200M.
The watch is powered by the Powermatic 80 calibre. This automatic movement is equipped with the innovative Nivachron balance spring. It is not only immune to magnetic fields but also exceptionally resistant to shocks and changes in temperature. The movement can be viewed through a sapphire crystal case back.

The Certina DS PH200M is worn on a grey-blue NATO bracelet.
Besides the completely blue model presented above, Certina also offers other versions of the DS PH200M. Among them a model with black bezel, a PVD-coated black case, a brown calfskin strap or Milanaise bracelet. Thanks to the quick-change system, which is being used by more and more watch manufacturers in some version, Certina’s bracelets can also be changed easily at home.

Ready for Take-off with the Mathis Montabon Aerotime II

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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

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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.

Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Automatic

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The Vintage Rally Healey limited editions have worked their way into the affections of countless classic car enthusiasts in the past. These watches were created as a result of a partnership between the Frederique Constant Manufacture and the Austin-Healey car brand which dates back to the year 2004: seventeen years of allegiance and fellowship between watchmaking and mechanics, punctuated by rallies, meetings, races and a shared passion for retro design.
The previous edition of the Vintage Rally Healey Automatic dates back to 2018; now it’s back with two new versions. Putting its tradition of sporty chronographs on hold, Frederique Constant has given the Vintage Rally Healey Automatic a more urban design. Designed for the gentleman drivers who also appreciate a getaway from the racing track, this timepiece allows to casually enjoy a new design imbued with retro charm.

Stylish and timeless, the first model features a 40 mm rose gold case, that coordinates with the hour markers and hands; it is also water-resistant up to 5 atm. For optimum legibility even in the dark, Frederique Constant worked with a luminous treatment. The flange counts down the minutes against a chocolate coloured background that matches the calfskin strap. With its perforation, it underscores the neo-vintage quality of the watch.

The second version’s entire dial is adorned with the legendary deep, bold green colour of the Healey company. A study in contrast and a return to the roots of one of the most iconic rally car colours, „British racing green“ has long been associated with the vintage Austin Healeys that are especially desirable among collectors. Frederique Constant’s rendering is especially sleek and stylish and the revival of this shade on a three-hand model enables the wearer to subtly show off their love of vintage cars without compromising the timeless elegance of a more urban timepiece.

Both versions are three-hand models with a date window at 3 o’clock. They are all powered by the automatic FC-303 calibre. It works at a frequency of 28.800 beats per minute and provides a power reserve of up to 38 hours.

Bell & Ross Flight Instruments: BR 03-92 HUB

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Bell & Ross, the ultimate reference for professional aviation timepieces, goes back to its origins in high performance military instruments with a new interpretation of its iconic watch, the BR 03-92 HUD. The Instrument collection is directly inspired by the aeronautical essential navigation tools of aircraft cockpit and highlights bell & Ross‘ four fundamental requirements: legibility, functionality, precision and water-resistance.
Fully in line with the characteristics of this collection, the new BR 03-92 HUD gets inspiration from the avionics displays of fighter jets equipped with the most cutting-edge technology.
Everything started in 2005 with the BR 01 which was inspired by the cockpit clocks of 1970’s airplanes. Then in 2010 the BR 01 Radar entered the market, followed by other models like the BR 01 Turn Coordinator. And now, ten years later, the watchmakers at Bell & Ross are turning all their attention to the Head Up Display (HUD). This new introduction completes the Flight Instruments Family.

The HUD is a transparent glass screen that displays all information that is essential to fulfill a mission in the pilot’s visual field. For optimal effectiveness, its primary function is to keep the pilot focused on the target ahead without having t take the eyes off their line of sight. The HUD takes on the augmented reality concept; with displaying digital data onto the windshield, pilots can be alerted about everything from the horizon line, altitude or speed to navigation aids. If you think that that sounds vaguely familiar it’s because the HUD is now also frequently used in the automobile industry.

The design of the BR 03-92 HUD embodies the spirit of Bell & Ross’ Instrument watches, as a contemporary style, the black matte ceramic case features the iconic “circle in a square” that evokes the silhouette of an aircraft cockpit clock.

The technical and graphical tools with tips to translate this display type at the much smaller scale of an analog mechanical watch was an innovative exercise at the brand’s creative studio. Arranged in tiers, the BR 03-92 HUD is built around superimposed levels to create an overlay that echoes the real HUD instrument.
The watch hinges on three layers: On the upper level, the green-tinted sapphire crystal gives the illusion of the digital HUD-type display, using the surface of the disc dial and that of the crystal. Here are the four brackets found from HUD line of sight. On the middle level, the black and green hands reveal the minutes and seconds. The hand’s center parts were purposely hidden to further increase the legibility. On the lower level, the hours are indicated by a green triangle marker which appears in the center through an independent concentric disc. The watch also features a small date at 4 o’clock.

And of course, the coatings are worth noting on this timepiece. By using the green color, Bell & Ross recreates the graphic style of this Instrument as closely as possible. The green on the dial mirrors the computer-type display of the HUD, and the cases anti-reflective matte black background provides a striking contrast and the sapphire crystal is tinted.
To provide an intense green light, hour numerals, indices and triangle as well as the minute-circle and hands are coated with green Super-LumiNova.

The BR 03-92 HUD fits perfectly in the Instruments family which guarantee ultra-legibility at all times. The combination of green tinted sapphire crystal on green information emphasizes this.

The watch is powered by the calibre BR-CAL.302, an automatic movement known for its absolute reliability.
The utilitarian approach of this watch is completed with both a black rubber and an ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric strap.

The BR 03-92 HUD is a limited edition of only 999 pieces.