The Chronoswiss Kairos Chronograph (ref. C7541-KR) sports all the goodies you can expect from the brand that deals only in highly exclusive, daringly-luxury timekeepers. There is a heavily-, yet meticulously guilloched solid silver dial, Breguet-type blued hands that look like they were heat-treated, and, of course, the traditional onion-shaped setting crown that is here to operate a high-quality Swiss-made automatic movement.
Graham's watches are rarely straightforward, but this 2012 Graham Chronofighter 1695 Hotsy Totsy (Ref. 2CXAP.S03A) provokes the most acute attack of cognitive dissonance. I mean, could you expect a classic, vintage-style dress watch to be equipped with a huge, M1 Garand-style trigger made from 18-karat rose gold?
Back in 2009, the Swiss watchmakers started selling their elegant Rectangular Bob Dylan limited edition. In 2012, the company offered us yet another limited edition model that paid homage to a less fortunate (but still one of the best) musician of the 20th century. The new self-winding Oris Chet Baker Limited Edition (Ref. 733 7591 4084) is named after the famous American jazz trumpeter and singer who was born in 1929, became a star in the 1950s, but later succumbed to heavy drugs and died in 1988 at the age of 58.
Blancpain has recently revealed a model that combines an in-house automatic movement and a classic shape of the body with a decisively high-tech bezel and case-back crafted from ultra-lightweight carbon fiber. The material has recently attracted the attention of major brands specializing in manufacturing luxury timepieces. Finally, Blancpain joins the revolution. Meet the new Blancpain L-Evolution Chronographe Flyback a Rattrapante Grande Date chronograph!
With its mirror-polished body, guilloched dial, and a set of finely-cut diamonds, the 2012 TAG Heuer Link Lady (ref. WAT1414.BA0954) could have been a serious competitor to the gorgeous Omega DeVille Ladymatic (425.65.34.20.63.001), if only it wasn't powered by a simple quartz movement instead of a high-grade automatic caliber. On the other hand (no pun intended), the watch is still a good contender for the right to be chosen by those ladies who don't care about the movement and other technicalities and simply look for a beautiful trinket that also tells time.
Forty years ago, back in 1972, a then-recently established brand Porsche Design of Austria has presented its first product: an analog chronograph that had all its visible surfaces treated with a black coating.
Although offering nothing particularly new in terms of mechanics, the model nevertheless was the first in the world to offer an all-black (with only hands and hour markers covered in white) color scheme that offered unrivalled contrast and legibility and, inevitably, has soon become a hit among those interested in a 'lifestyle' timekeeper with a loud name on its dial. This new Porsche Design P'6510 Chronograph I Reissue (Ref. 6510.43.41.0272) pays homage to the famous timekeeper with only minor details changed here and there.
For the year 2012, the Swiss watchmaker Zenith offers the new Pilot Doublematic family that is available both in stainless steel (Ref. 03.2400.4046/21.C721, which is reviewed here) and more expensive 18-karat rose gold cases.
It's been years since Omega discontinued its (almost) legendary digital/analog Speedmaster Professional X-33 that, in its heyday, directly competed against a similar model from Breitling. Finally, the Swiss watchmaker has presented a totally reworked version of the piece. The 2012 Omega Spacemaster Z-33 (ref. 325.92.43.79.01.001) features an absolutely stunning (although somewhat controversial) design and belongs to the "love it or hate it" category. As you may have already guessed, the titanium-clad monster from outer space was first demonstrated in flesh earlier this month during Baselworld 2012 event. Here is our first "initial impressions"-style review on this beast.
