At the Baselworld 2011 international trade show, Chopard has officially reintroduced its gorgeous tonneau-shaped chronometer as a 2011 L.U.C. XP Tonneau (Ref. 162294-1001). Coming in a deliciously compact case crafted from white gold, the timekeeper features an impressive combination of good design with a state of the art mechanical caliber that is claimed to be crafted solely in-house.
The 2011 Ball Storm Chaser DLC Glow Chronograph (ref. CM2192C-P1J-BK) may be the answer for those looking for a watch that glows, um, all night long. Even if it is an endless, life-draining polar night, you will never have to worry about your beloved timekeeper losing its brightness: the mildly radioactive gas that is stored inside its micro-tube will have enough own energy to keep glowing for ages.
Girard-Perregaux, one of the oldest Swiss-based watchmaking brands (and also one of the few that are still capable of making their own movements) starts selling a new member of the 1966 family: the gorgeous 1966 Full Calendar (refs. 49535-53-152-53A & 49535-53-651-BK6A), which is now available in an 18-karat white gold case. But don't worry, although the new case looks more discreet, it is still more expensive than the version in palladium that was released back in 2010.
The 2011 MIDO Baroncelli III Rose Gold 18K chronometer (ref. M901.408.76.033.20) was revealed at Baselworld 2011 show. The dressy timekeeper successfully combines a chronometer-grade -albeit relatively inexpensive- Swiss-made movement with an elegant, classic shape of the case.
Ventura is a niche brand that is mostly known for its exotically shaped mechanical timekeepers. In March 2011, it has issued a new interesting device that utilizes its new "automatic-powered digital watch concept." Called Ventura SPARC MGS (ref. W 55 R1), this trendy hybrid-powered device sports not one, but two displays on its unusually long, V-shaped body.
The recently introduced Swiss Military Hanowa Flagship may not offer much in terms of water resistance or technical specs, yet it gives you a Rolex Submariner-like exterior -well, I am a bit lenient here- without being a blatant rip-off while sporting a genuine Swiss Made label on its dial at just 1/10th of the price.
With its quartz Grafic Mistero (ref. 359.10S.101.20) chronograph, DOXA makes the first step into the uncharted territory of relatively inexpensive timepieces that come in a deliberately "un-Doxa" hi-tech exterior.
The upcoming Oris Swiss Hunter Team PS Edition (ref. 01 733 7629 4063-Set LS in 44 millimeters and a smaller ref. 01 733 7649 4091-Set LS in 38 mm) collection may not look particularly original both to Oris fans and to those especially interested in aviator's timekeepers, but, with a part of the proceedings promised to be diverted to a fund supporting a number of the last remaining Hawker Hunter Mk 58 fighter jets from the good old Cold War era, it certainly supports a noble cause.
