The 2014 Casio G-Shock GravityMaster GPW 1000 delivers inside its defiantly oversized body an extremely small GPS receiver, a state of the art solar-powered quartz movement, as well as their signature Multi-Band 6 technology that allows the device to automatically receive standard time-calibration signal from atomic clocks. What else would you probably ask from this little monster? Make you breakfast?
200 m
Fortis Blue Horizon Automatic Chronograph
The new Fortis Blue Horizon features an appealing color scheme with its bronze-toned dial (that the brand actually prefers to call “Metallic Brown”) nicely matched by a cognac-brown leather strap. Although the blue accents on the timekeeper’s face look a bit ahem controversial, I must admit that this is one of the dressiest “pilot’s chronographs” that the Swiss brand has ever produced. Just don’t forget to get yourself a complementary set of good brown shoes.
Breitling Chronomat 44 Raven Caliber 01
Featuring a sexy combination of deep matte black and bright, almost electric, orange, the Breitling Chronomat 44 Raven Caliber 01 (ref. MB0111C2/BD07-153S) is so far one of the most attractive members of the family. Add to this the same COSC-certified Caliber B01 automatic movement built in their own manufacturing facility, as well as an extremely legible layout of the dial, and you get yourself a winner. The only thing that spoils the fun a little is, as usual for Breitling, the price.
Fortis VP-40 “Laging Handa” Patrol Squadron Forty
While the new Fortis VP-40 “Laging Handa” Patrol Squadron Forty doesn’t even try to look different from dozens of other Fortis aviation-inspired chronographs, it still offers a nice combination of a solid-built body with pleasantly massive push-pieces and setting crown, and a dial that, although looking a bit cluttered, is nevertheless easy enough to read (only if you don’t try to use the standard tachymeter scale on the bezel flange).
2014 Breitling Colt Caliber 73 SuperQuartz Chronograph
Unlike the much-awaited Apple iWatch (we will see it in a matter of hours), the 2014 Breitling Colt Caliber 73 SuperQuartz Chronograph doesn’t even try to destroy the competition. With its classic massive body, easy-to-grip unidirectional rotating bezel and traditional high-contrast dial, the new timepiece simply delivers in a single, relatively affordable package everything you ever wanted from a Breitling but never were quite ready to pull the trigger on their more expensive models. Powered by a COSC-certified version of a well-known quartz mechanism, the device won’t stun you with the same level of craftsmanship as an automatic mechanism decorated by a skilled hand of an artisan but instead will offer you an almost unrivaled level of precision and dependability.
Introducing the Edox Geoscope GMT Automatic
Whole 46 millimeters in diameter, the Edox Geoscope GMT (ref. 07002 3 C1) is designed with heroically proportioned people in mind. On the other hand (no pun intended), the timekeeper doesn’t make an impression of a watch whose single purpose is to look big. In fact, its massiveness stems from its function: there is a dial that needs to be large to ensure adequate legibility and so there is a large case to house it. That’s probably the main reason why it doesn’t look stupid: its form follows function.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Supercharged
With its 2014 collection, Maurice Lacroix tries to play against the current “downsizing” trend. While even “sporty” and “bold” chronographs either lose weight or burn their excessive muscle tissue, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Supercharged brings you the good old 2013 Pontos S diver in an even bigger body. 48 millimeters in diameter, the diving tool is designed for a bodybuilder or a football player, not some sort of a skinny hipster.
Mido Multifort Two Crowns Automatic Skin Diver (Ref. M005.930.11.060.00)
While Mido is good at producing watches that look anonymous at best, this new stainless steel Mido Multifort Two Crowns (Ref. M005.930.11.060.00) actually looks nice and even recognizable, although even this design always leaves you scratching your head trying to remember if you have already seen this gadget before.
Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patroulle Suisse 50th Anniversary
It pays off to be a Swiss air force pilot. While most aerobatics teams barely receive even sporadic attention from major watchmaking brands, Switzerland’s only team of professional pilots gets its name immortalized the third time in less than three years. Back in 2011, Oris and IWC commemorated the 20th anniversary of their current paint scheme and now Breitling, another key watchmaker, celebrates the semicentenary of the team itself. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patroulle Suisse 50th Anniversary automatic chronograph with second time-zone indication.
Casio G-Shock Metal-Twisted (MTG-S1000D-1AJF)
Offered in plain and black ion-plated stainless steel, the new Casio G-Shock Metal-Twisted (MTG-S1000D-1AJF) not only offers their pretty solid Triple G Resist shock protection technology and lots of useful functions, but also packs them in an impressively designed, massive body that makes your normal “sporty” chronograph look like a real pussy near this rugged giant.
Archimede Outdoor Black PVD Automatic
Recently, the German brand has introduced an absolutely outstanding Archimede Outdoor Black (refs. UA8237B-A2.1-SW & UA8237-A2.1-SW) presented in a rugged stainless steel body treated with black PVD coating.
Citizen Signature Grand Touring Automatic
With its borrowed shape and an outrageously high price tag, the 2013 Citizen Signature Grand Touring Automatic leaves, um, a strange taste in your mouth. Although the Japanese brand’s desire to make some easy money on an iconic design of a watch that many lust for, but only a few can actually afford is somewhat understandable, it is a shame to see this sort of trick played by such a respectable manufacturer.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 with Tough Solar tech
Although Casio’s positioning of the new G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 as a “survival” tool is a little bit too far-fetched, the gadget still deserves a certain degree of attention. Sporting a long list of useful functions that millions of fans are already familiar with, the Rangeman also sports their famous Triple Sensor system that makes it especially useful for hikers, forest tourists and, perhaps, even soldiers and other professionals who need a reliable and durable tactical watch.
Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold (Ref. 0320227)
The sporty C1 Chronograph family was seriously refreshed earlier this year with the styling of their dials more congruent with that of their prominent cases. Now, Concord introduces yet another version. Combining mirror-polished 18-karat rose gold, glossy black ceramics, as well as PVD-treated, high-grade titanium alloy, the 2013 Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold (Ref. 0320227) is similar to Porsche 911 GT3 in its versatility: just like the latter can be used both on a track and as a daily commuter, you can wear the former both during office hours and in a night club.
Fortis B42 Marinemaster Yellow Day/Date 670.24.14
The Fortis B42 Marinemaster range of diving tools has recently been expanded with a Yellow Collection. Comprising an ETA Valjoux 7750-powered automatic chronograph and a more traditional-looking Fortis B-42 Marinemaster Yellow Day/Date (Ref. 670.24.14) three-hander, the collection differs from the rest of Marinemaster family only with its more jovial (and also more legible) color scheme that adds acid-bright lime accents to the bezels and dials.