Established back in 1884, the Italian fashion house celebrates its anniversary with a rose gold version of its Bvlgari Sotirio 125th Anniversary Edition. With its symmetrical art-deco dial and so called “hunter” case back cover that is becoming more and more popular for the last couple of years, the timepiece produces a very strong impression. In fact, it looks like the most Italian (if not “Roman”) among recently introduced “Swiss Made” devices.
IWC Aquatimer Deep Two Diving Instrument
IWC will soon start selling its new flagship: the 2009 model year Aquatimer Deep Two (refs. IW354701 & IW354702) diving tool. Being a direct descendant of the now discontinued GST Deep One instrument, the instrument also features a built-in mechanical depth meter: a complication that you will rarely find while searching for a luxury diver.
Eggshell-Colored Beauty: Jules Audemars Chronograph
Available both in 18-karat white gold (ref. 26100BC.OO.D002CR.01) and an even dressier pink gold (ref. 26100OR.OO.D088CR.01) case, the new Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronograph is equipped with an in-house AP 3124/3841 automatic caliber and features that easily recognizable, deceptively ‘understated’ design, which is both contemporary and classic.
Daniel Roth Papillon Chronograph Revealed
Celebrating the 5th anniversary of their landmark Papillon chronograph, which in its own turn itself celebrated the 10th anniversary of the brand, Daniel Roth has recently revealed the new take on their famous and much-adored timepiece. Presenting it in a fresh blue-and-silver color scheme, the brand has also equipped the device with a new movement. The mechanism is made by one of the most revered manufacturers in the country, which is famous for its high-precision mechanisms. Featuring the same Ellipsocurvex case and a pair of patented lozenge-shaped pivoting-head retrograde minute hands, the new Papillon Chronograph (ref. 319.Z.60.394.CM.BD) now sports a mechanical self-winding Frederic Piguet column-wheel chronograph caliber.
Argonaut 1000 TQ Diver by CX Swiss Military
CX Swiss Military -a brand that people often mistake with Victorinox Swiss Army- has recently revealed its new Argonaut 1000 TQ diving tool. Combining a bold, testosterone-dripping exterior with an impressive water resistance rating, it is a bit too expensive for a chronograph powered by an average quartz movement (you will have to go for the Argonaut 1000 COSC if you want an automatic ETA 7750-based caliber, but that one is even more expensive.) Still, I have an impression that the watch will be not particularly hard to sell since it literally (well, actually it is ‘figuratively’) screams quality and sturdiness, and what else do you need from a professional-grade diving timekeeper?
Zodiac ZMX 03 chronograph: what’s the point exactly?
The former Swiss watchmaking brand Zodiac, which is currently owned by the American-based Fossil, has revealed another timepiece of dubious concept. The new Zodiac ZMX 03 chronograph delivers a puzzling combination of a deliberately oversized body with a deceptively rugged look, which is not supported by either increased water resistance nor extra shock or magnetic protection. Also, for a fashion gadget powered by a mundane, throwaway-type quartz mechanism, the price tag that it wears seems unreasonably, even ridiculously high.
Military-Style Glycine Incursore Power Reserve 3880
The 2008 Glycine Incursore Power Reserve DLC (ref. 3880) is an ultimate military gadget: it is as simple, as it is highly legible, and it is as scratch-resistant as it is reliable. It could almost be an ultimate accessory if not its price: charging whole four grands (okay, it’s a “recommended” price, but still don’t expect to find a watch below the $3200 mark) for a watch that sports nothing more impressive than a mass-market automatic caliber is a bit extreme to me. After all, for the money, you can find a good used Omega in mint condition equipped with a more exclusive movement.
Quartz Michel Herbelin Newport Trophy Grand Sport
Based in a Jura mountain village of Charquemont commune in Eastern France, watchmaker Michel Herbelin sits so close to the Swiss border it just can’t stop producing the finest quartz watches in the world. Well, excluding Switzerland, of course. Meet the new Michel Herbelin Newport Trophy Grand Sport family that is going to bring some rugged elegance into your life.