Best Super NEWS Watches
A Look At The Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic's Slate Dial With More Than A Touch Of Gold (LIVE SHOTS)
Geneva based independent watchmaker Laurent Ferrier is showing off a new dial at this years Baselworld fair (Ferrier's third year), and it's a lot more than meets the eye. The red gold case is now accompanied by red gold applied roman indexes on the dial. But it doesn't stop there, the entire dial, which has a rich brushed slate appearance in the flesh, is actually in itself 18k gold. The unique slate color is achieved by a galvanic treatment, which send electrons through the metal submerged in a liquid bath. With the base gold altered to a such a degree, the dial retains depth like a Rothko painting which you find yourself staring at for an hour. Within the watch is the impeccable caliber 9...
Hands-On: With The Harry Winston Midnight Skeleton (Live Photos)
While you probably expected the first Basel World Harry Winston post to be about Opus 12, the follow-up to this bad boy, it's not.? You see, that one is going to take some time think about before we share our thoughts on it.? And, there was actually is another piece from Harry Winston that really caught our eye when we visited their booth just a few hours ago.?The Midnight collection from HW is the most classical and refined of all HW men's watches, and today we say what will be the most "technical" and "watchy" model of the line, and a piece that serious watch guys are going to love.? It is a fully skeletonized time-only watch, and it is really beautiful.? The open-work on this guy is reall...
The Nomos Zurich Gets Some Color At Basel (LIVE PICS)
German manufacture NOMOS added two new models to their popular Zurich line this week at Basel, the Zurich "Blaugold" and "Braungold." Changes are limited to the dials of these watches, you'll find the same lovely epsilon movement within. The addition of color goes a long way here, and NOMOS fans will undoubtedly appreciate the additions as they add to an already colorful past for the brand. There were no new calibers from the brand this year, though we are assured development is underway and can expect to see something next year, perhaps a new complication. We got our hands on the new Zurich models today so check out more live pics after the break. Pricing for both is 2960 Euros....
Introducing The Speedmaster Racing (LIVE PICS)
We're all familiar with the Speedmaster's prolific space traveling past, and Omega has never been shy about reminding us. However, when the Speedmaster first hit the scene in 1957, it was the racing and rally crowds that took notice thanks to the watch's chronograph functionality. In fact, the very first print ad of the Speedmaster depicted a couple of cars racing against their "high-precision wrist computer." Hyperbole aside it's easy to see how the watch would be embraced for such purposes. For 2012, Omega has called up a bit of that history for a new Speedy, the Speedmaster Racing. You may have noticed the watch in the teaser they released last week. I was able to go hands on with the new...
Hands-On: With The De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk (Live Photos)
Earlier this week we showed you De Bethune's newest offering from their newest line, the DB27 Titan Hawk. As promised, here are the follow up details. Today I went hands on with the entry-level De Bethune to find out how it stacks up against its bespoke brethren within the De Bethune stable. The watch jumped out as a bit larger than it's 42mm suggested thanks to the floating lugs, however, when worn, the lugs retract to the shape of your wrist, freeing up the case to shine on its own right, at its proper size. Other De Bethune watches have never been lacking intricate, often multi-dimensional detail, and the Titan Hawk is no different. While the dial is closed, it provides a few levels of vi...
Introducing The Tudor Pelagos: A Titanium Dive Watch With A Self-Adjusting Clasp
While you may have seen the Heritage Black Bay Diver already (here, for example), we thought you'd show you the other Tudor dive watch of Basel World 2012.? Called the Pelagos, this is a new take on divers for the Rolex family and while it may look a bit like a Submariner, it's arguably far more advanced than that.First, the entire case and bracelet are satin-finished titanium, and the bezel is ceramic.? It take cues from Tudors of the past with Snowflake hands and pointed crown guards.? It is rated to 500 meters, and the application of the lume is expertly done and very generous, for optimal visibility.? Plus, the dial has a double-bevelled flange around it that cleverly incorporates the tr...
Pre-SIHH 2015: Introducing The Rotonde de Cartier Reversed Tourbillon
The Rotonde de Cartier Reversed Tourbillon is yet another eye-catching piece in a series of releases by Cartier before SIHH 2015. This timepiece showcases Cartiers expertise as an accomplished artisan in addition to being a watchmaker. Like with other recent pieces that Cartier has released (such as the recent Crash Skeleton), what is striking is Cartiers instantly recognizable designs, which speak both to its history as well as?to?its creativity.The dial of the Rotonde de Cartier Tourbillon has serious finish to it. It is composed of solid 18-carat white gold in a sunburst guilloch pattern. It isnt rhodium plated in order to take advantage of golds natural ability to reflect light. The...
Hands-On: With The New Patek Philippe Nautilus With A White Dial (Live Photos)
The modern Patek Philippe "Jumbo", reference 5711/A is indeed one of those classic watches that you simply can't argue with.? It is the kind of watch that everyone in the watch world has respect for, and no matter the occasion, the Nautilus in steel just looks good.Today at Basel World 2012, Patek Philippe introduced the same 5711/A that we love so much, but this time with a crystal clear white dial.? It, honestly, changes the look of the Nautilus completely, and makes it entirely more sporty than that with the blue/grey dial.?With this Nautilus you also have black oxidized hands and markers, and the color of the luminova has been changed from green to white.? The standard Nautilus 5711 with...
Peter Speake-Marin Updates The Serpent Calendar With New Design & Movement
In 2004, an emerging Peter Speake-Marin built upon his Piccadilly line with a model called the Serpent Calendar, so named due to the serpentine shaped hand used to read the date. For Baselworld 2012, Peter has revisited this particular watch, giving a full update, from dial and case to the movement itself.The new dial design moves the date indication to the inner dial, thus shortening the distinctive date hand for which it is named. The roman numerals remain within the white-lacquered dial emblazoned with the mark of the 'topping tool' motif at 6 o'clock. The case is offered in the same 38mm and 42mm options, although it has gone on a diet, losing nearly 2mm off its thickness, measuring in a...
EXCLUSIVE: Introducing The Ikepod Horizon By KAWS
Ikepod is quietly one of the most interesting design brands in the watch world.? While they have made wristwatches for some time now, readers of HODINKEE likely know Ikepod as the manufacturer of the stunningly beautiful Hourglass, which Ben introduced to you here, and a one-off of which was sold at the Only Watch auction after visiting us in the HODINKEE offices.But, Ikepod completely revamped its watch offerings this year, and they are leaner and meaner than ever.? In fact, Ikepod is kicking off the redesigned Horizon with a special collaboration with graffiti artist turned painter / sculptor / designer KAWS.? If you don't know who KAWS is, read this NY Times article from June entitled "Th...
On The Block: The Quintessential Vintage Vacheron Chronograph In Excellent Condition, For Sale
Vintage Vacheron chronographs are, in our humble opinion, massively undervalued.? When you compare what the average vintage VC chrono sells for compared to the average vintage Patek chrono C youll see what we mean.? Vintage VC chromos feature the same type of movements and finishing youll see with the Pateks, and in many cases, the actual design of the watch itself is arguably more interesting.Take for example the quintessential vintage Vacheron chronograph, the reference 4178.? The dial, those perfect teardrop lugs, and the fantastic manually wound movement make this watch a must for a VC collector, and its a watch so good, that when Gene Stone, the author and travel watch collector whom...
Introducing The De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk: De Bethune's New "Entry Level" Watch
In celebrating its 10th year, De Bethune hits the ground running at this year's Baselworld introducing the first member of the new DB27 family. The new watch, dubbed Titan Hawk may only offer the time and date for its complication, but there's more here worth getting excited about, not the least of which is a new silicon laden in-house caliber, the S233.? It is also De Bethune's most affordable watch, by a lot.Cut with the same sculptural sensibilities we're used to seeing from De Bethune, the Titan Hawk gives your eye plenty of detail to digest, both front and back. The 43mm titanium case sits within the spring loaded floating lug system seen in other models. The crown sits atop the case at...
CONTEST: Unleash Your Inner Don Draper And Win A Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Ever watch Mad Men and think "I could do that?" well here's your chance to prove it. Jaeger-LeCoultre is running a contest on FaceBook until the 26th of March that invites fans to submit their own Reverso campaign via Instagram. The 5 best submissions, as chosen by popular vote, will be subjected to a jury of judges, and the best will be rewarded with a Reverso of their own. The "MAD ABOUT REVERSO" contest lives entirely on Facebook, and offers all the tools you'll need to get started, including a creative brief. We haven't been shy about our fondness of the Reverso in the past, this is a watch you will want to win. So bust out a fresh cigarette, your best scotch and head over to the Faceboo...
Hands-On: With The Awesome Panerai Luminor Tourbillon GMT Ceramica (PAM 396) - Live Pics
This could be my favorite Panerai of SIHH, and in my opinion, represents the very best of what Panerai is about.? The Luminor Tourbillon GMT Ceramica is exactly what it sounds like, a ceramic tourbillon with a GMT function, but to me, it's a little bit more.? First, there is just something so appealing about Panerai's matte black ceramic case against their brown aged strap. The combination is just killer.Then, of course, there is the GMT function, which is one of my favorite complications on any watch of any kind.? But, what makes this watch really special is of course what lays behind the sandwich dial on this PAM - the incredible Panerai P.2005 in-house tourbillon movement.? Notice we said...
Is This The Very First Haute Horology Lytro Photograph? We Say Yes.
If you're anything like us, you're a little bit intriqued by the idea of a Lytro camera, the world's first light field camera that allows the user to focus the photograph AFTER its been taken.? How does it work exactly? We're not entirely sure, but if you're curious about what it produces, all you need to do is look at the image above.?Basically, you can set the depth of field of the photograph just by a click of your mouse, and in this picture, you can adjust which part of this limited edition AP Perpetual Calendar is in focus, thanks our old friend Steve Hallock.? Check it out and let us know what you think.? Imagine what a Lytro photograph of a great mechanical watch movement would be lik...
TAG Heuer Basel World Preview: The Carrera Jack Heuer 80th Birthday Edition
This is an exciting new release from TAG Heuer, the week before Basel World.? What you're looking at is a Carrera built in tribute to the 80th birthday of Mr. Jack Heuer himself.? The Jack Heuer 80th Anniversary Carrera will be a limited edition, and is certainly one of the best looking watches we've seen come out of TAG in a while.? Notice that this watch appears to be part of TAG's growing (and excellent) "heritage" collection, the whole of which feature dials sans "TAG".? David Chalmers of Calibre11 got the scoop from TAG and says this watch will use the same case as the 1887.We'll post more details as we get them.? In the mean time, head over to Calibre11 for a more thorough TAG preview....
Well, we can't say we saw this one coming.? The guys over at Timezone have just announced that the Gronefeld One Hertz has been named the Timezone Watch of the Year, upsetting such logical favorites as the Patek Philippe 5270 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grand Reverso Tribute to 1931, and the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony World Timer.?This is an important win for independent watchmakers everywhere, and what is so impressive is that we have to assume that the vast majority of the 29% of the TZ population that voted for the One Hertz has never even seen one!Still, congratulations to Tim and Bart Gronefeld, two of the most talented watchmakers (and nicest guys) we know i...
VIDEO Teaser: A Sneak Peek At Omega's 2012 BaselWorld Products
Basel World is just around the corner (it starts next week!) and today we received a short video teasing us with some of Omega's new releases. Take a look above, and let the speculation begin!...
Nobody does really complex tourbillons better than Greubel Forsey.? And when you buy one of Steven and Robert's creations, you want people to know that you have something really special on your wrist - especially when you're taking it to the local YMCA for a dip in the public pool.?At the very pinnacle of Greubel Forsey's lineup is a series of watches known as the "Quadruple Tourbillons," which, you certainly won't be surprised to hear each hold four tourbillons.? The line began with the standard quadruple tourbillon, which is explained expertly by our friends at Monochrome here.? Then, last year at the SIHH 2011, Stephen Forsey himself took the time to explain to us the next quadruple tourb...
The Patek Philippe 2497: On Leap Day 2012, We Show You A Perpetual Calendar You Need To Know
You won't find the owner of a perpetual calendar any happier than you will today, February 29th.? You see, one of the coolest things about a true perpetual calendar is that it automatically knows and adjusts for leap years.? Thing is, they don't come around too often, so every February 29th, people that are lucky enough to own a perpetual calendar go a little nutty and start showing complete strangers their watches on the streets.So, on this leap day, we thought we'd show you a famous perpetual calendar that you should know about.? It is, of course, from Patek Philippe, and its reference is the 2497.? It is a traditional manually wound perpetual calendar and it was launched in 1951.? The 249...