The dressy Dubey & Schaldenbrand Grand Dome R92 Vintage is powered by a NOS Valjoux 92 hand-wound caliber and will soon be offered as a super limited edition of just 16 pieces with only one or two pieces available to US-based customers.
Swiss Brands
Certina DS Eagle GMT Chronograph C023.739.27.051.00
Probably inspired by the high-tech Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed family of mildly skeletonized divers, the new Certina DS Eagle GMT chronograph (ref. C023.739.27.051.00) is equipped with a lot simpler ETA G10.961 caliber: the same quartz movement that powered their 2011 DS Podium Ole Einar Bjorndalen model, but is encased in a lot sportier body.
Chopard Happy Sport Medium Automatic
While this Chopard Happy Sport Medium (ref. 278559-3001) doesn’t introduce anything new in terms of the shape of its bulky-looking body or dial layout, the new member of the family marks the dawn of a new era for the Swiss watchmaker (or, at least, for the HS model range): it is in fact the first Happy Sport model that swaps a simple and not particularly inspiring quartz movement for a more stimulating self-winding caliber.
Tissot Luxury Chronometer with Powermatic 80 Caliber
The recently presented Tissot Luxury Automatic watch sports a more refined version of the new Powermatic 80 (aka ETA CO7.111) self-winding caliber that also happens to power the gorgeous Certina DS Powermatic 80 Limited Edition that we have already reviewed briefly last week. Still, this particular iteration of the movement is not only better decorated, but is also much more precise, since it is built with more carefully selected parts and is better adjusted.
Ronda 5030.D-powered Wenger SeaForce Chronograph
Wenger’s SeaForce line of divers is popular among enthusiasts searching for a “Swiss Made” beater on a tight budget. Recently, it has received a comprehensive update with a new Wenger SeaForce Chronograph timekeeper. Still featuring the same basic styling, the refreshed model not only adds chronograph functionality but also looks a lot more modern than their older three-hander.
Bvlgari Catene in Rose Gold, Necklace Chain Bracelet
Bulgari is known for its extensive collection of snake-style “bracelet watches.” Usually comprising no less than two “coils” that gently embrace a lady’s petit wrist, the bracelets are crowned with a snakehead-shaped case that usually houses a compact quartz movement. This new Bvlgari Catene (refs. 102038 BBCP31WGGD1.2T/12 & 102052 BBCP31WGG.2T/12) (“catene” means “a chain” in Italian, if I understand it correctly), however, features a slightly less radical styling that may be especially appreciated by persons suffering from ophidiophobia: an irrational fear of snakes.