Well, it has finally happened. RW's Freelancer line has, at last, received a trendy chronograph model that comes in a matt black stainless steel body that was subjected to PVD treatment. While retaining the basic dimensions and preserving the dial layout of its sister models, the new Raymond Weil Freelancer Urban Black (Ref. 7730 BK 05207) looks different from the rest of the gang thanks to its moody, even military-style appearance.
Unlike more modern versions, the original 1957 Speedmaster that was powered by the legendary Omega caliber 321 hand-wound movement featured the usual three hands for displaying time, as well as three chronograph sub-dials with no calendar. The 2012 Omega Speedmaster Racing (ref. 326.32.40.50.06.001) chronograph takes the iconic collection back to the classic layout.
Designed for men and women and speaking the same design language, they usually only differ in sizes of their bodies and, when necessary, the movements that power them in order to maintain the same basic proportions. The 2012 Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques Tradition collection was follows this philosophy to the "t".
During the Baselworld 2012, the German watchmaker has presented its new take on their bestselling Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar. Coming in a little bit larger case than the outgoing model, the self-winding timepiece is available both in an expensive rose (with a reddish tint to it) gold and in a more affordable stainless steel and can be ordered on a wide choice of straps, including a steel bracelet that adds to the grad total almost a thousand more Euros. Now, tell me about price targeting.
Jaquet Droz has recently reissued its famous regulator-style timekeeper that, lacking the usual minute hand, is instead equipped with the single hour hand that circles around a 24-hour dial. The new version sports an absolutely gorgeous-looking, matt black onyx dial. Equipped with an in-house automatic movement, the new Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Onyx (Ref. J025030270) nicely complements the recently introduced self-winding Eclipse Onyx.
The Luminox Valjoux Field Chronograph 1860 Blackout (Ref. A.1861.BO) essentially completes their extensive product range of ruggedized, military-styled timekeepers.
Rolex has recently updated its range of "professional" Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master collection with a new Ref. 16622 model. Executed in their proprietary "rolesium" alloy of 950 platinum and stainless steel, the gadget features a blue dial and looks, well, extremely cool. Besides offering more contrast display, the 16622 is also more elegant than the previous iterations, including even those with platinum dials.
On the heels of the recent Heritage Black Bay 200M diver the Swiss watchmaker has also presented an even more extreme model that is claimed to be inspired by their "classic" pieces. Although not a reissue in the true meaning of the word, this new Tudor Pelagos Diver Titanium 500M (ref. 25500TN) is strongly influenced by the 1968 Tudor Snowflake Ref. 7021. Not being a tool watch any longer, the premium-priced 25500TN is a lot more refined than its predecessor.
