Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 “Aviator”

Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 Hand-Wound "Aviator"

First unveiled at the Baselworld 2009 and going on sale at the beginning of October of the same year, the Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 (ref. 241381) featured a "love it or hate it, we don't care" layout of its huge dial, but had at least one advantage over competitors that you just could't deny: it was powered by an almost legendary Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement known for its impressive power reserve, the decent ability for keeping good time, as well as that old-school charisma that more modern mechanisms simply don't have.

Edox Grand Ocean Chronograph I (ref. 01201-357RN-NIR)

Edox Grand Ocean Chronograph I 01201-357RN-NIR

The new Edox Grand Ocean Automatic Chronograph I (ref. 01201-357RN-NIR) may look a bit cheesy with its gold-plating and the choice of relatively inexpensive self-winding movement, yet it looks almost like the next best thing for a person who can't afford something like an Ulysse Nardin Monaco diver.

Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL (ref. 8835)

Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Automatic (ref. 8835 aka MOA08835)

Inspired by the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, the Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL (ref. 8835 aka MOA08835) is a relatively affordable piece of gadgetry for those not willing to spend a fortune on the real thing (or, as I think I need to add after meditating a minute or two on the subject sometime after this brief review was already published, it is not fair to use such a degrading combination of words as "a real thing" implying that this one is just a shameless ripoff: I think of it as more of an "homage" to the famous ROO, which is one of the best forms of flattery if you want my opinion.)

Corum Admiral’s Cup Challenge 44 Black Chronograph

Just like Hublot keeps exploiting its still financially successful Big Bang design, Corum keeps digging a vein of gold of its own. Offering the same easily recognizable design as the rest of the family, the new Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black (ref. 753.691.93/F371 AN32) automatic chronograph follows the current trend of making watches that aren't just bigger and bolder, but also can deliver your personal statement with a bit of arrogance.

Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante PAM 319

Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante split seconds chronograph (Ref. PAM 319)

First presented at SIHH 2009, the hand-wound Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante split-seconds chronograph (Ref. PAM 319) is, perhaps, the best "affordable" offer in their whole model range refreshed earlier this year. Damn it! I am starting to fall in love with Panerai. Although the brand's timepieces always seemed too visually unsophisticated and almost boring to me, now I see a certain rugged beauty in them.