Longines has once again updated its Master Collection family with the new Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases (ref. L2.738.4.71.6 & L2.739.4.71.3) model. Equipped with a high-grade mechanical caliber and featuring a classic design of a very appealing sort, this watch looks like a self-evident choice for a rational person with a good taste.
41 mm
Chanel J-12 Chromatic in Titanium Ceramic
The 2011 Chanel J-12 Chromatic (ref. H2566) is presented in a new (or, rather, previously not employed as a material of choice by other watchmaking or jewelry brands) form of ceramic. Probably based on titanium carbide, it looks more like high-polished metal and is way more attractive than those glossy, plasticky timekeepers made using different versions of the extremely robust (albeit easy to shatter) material that was popularized by Rado decades ago.
Hublot Big Bang Black Caviar (Ref. 346.CX.1800.BR)
At the Baselworld 2011 trade show Hublot, a brand that is known for its radical approach to conspicuous consumption, has presented a somewhat unexpected take on the concept of invisible opulence. I am talking about the ultra-luxury Hublot Big Bang Black Caviar (Ref. 346.CX.1800.BR): a high-jewelry piece that has every square millimeter of its surface paved with glossy black ceramic blocks.
Jaquet Droz Cloverleaf Ladies Watch in White Gold
This beautiful Cloverleaf is a new member of Jaquet Droz’s colorful Petite Heure Minute collection. The watch was officially presented early last year at the annual Baselworld 2010 trade show, but you can still find this beautiful timekeeper at some boutiques.
Raymond Weil Maestro Automatic Chronograph
With their 2011 Maestro Automatic Chronograph (ref. 7737-PC5-00659), Raymond Weil adds yet another ETA 7750-powered model to the thousands of other ETA 7750-powered chronographs already available on the market.
Bell & Ross BR 123 Vintage Original Carbon
Bell & Ross has issued another iteration of its cash-cow — the vintage-styled BR 123 Vintage Original Carbon (ref. BRV123-BL-CA/SRB) “aviator”. The model has undergone several face-lifts, and now the medium-size 41.00 mm round case is delivered in a black PVD-coated stainless steel.
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Dual Time in Rose Gold (Ref. 263800R.OO.0002CR.O1)
The new self-winding Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Dual Time (Ref. 263800R.OO.0002CR.O1) finds another good use for the gorgeous base caliber designed by Jaeger-LeCoultre, their sister brand that, too, is owned by the very same Richemont Group.
TAG Heuer 300 SLR Caliber 1887 Chronograph
TAG Heuer will soon start selling its limited-edition 300 SLR Caliber 1887 (ref. CAR2112.FC6267) chronograph. While many currently available “sport” chronos are sold in larger-than-life, heavier-than-sin bodies, this new TAG comes packed into a medium-sized stainless steel case that makes you remember the blessed 1970s when rock was hard and cars were deadly.
Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Black Officer Chronograph
Being biased towards chronographs (at least, when it comes to so-called ‘aviators’,) I must admit that I am almost in love with this mirror-polished Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Officer Chronograph. Offered in a refined mid-sized body that is inspired by pilot’s watches of the pre-WWII era, this iteration of the BR 126 model brings you a convincing combination of a relatively clean, easy to read dial and a slightly modified version of a Swiss-made automatic movement that is known for its reliability and precision.
Baume & Mercier William Baume Jumping Hour (ref. M0A08857)
Right in time for the holiday shopping season, Baume & Mercier will hit the stores with a new limited-edition William Baume Jumping Hour (ref. M0A08857, also known as ref. 8857). It is what it is: a dressy automatic watch featuring a not so common jumping hour complication. What’s even more exciting about this timepiece is that this is a true limited-edition model: with just a handful of individually numbered devices to ever be released, there is a good chance that it will become a rarity in no time at all.
Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Chronograph
Bell & Ross has updated its Vintage line of “aviators” with this new Vintage Original BR 126 Chronograph that now comes in a round stainless steel case and features an elegant egg-shell-white dial. Fairly compact by today’s standards, this aviator may get some well-deserved attention from persons seeking for a nice vintage-styled pilot’s watch that doesn’t look like you just stole a hockey pluck.
Archimede SportTaucher 300M Automatic Diver (Ref. UA8974-A1.4)
The German brand has just presented a pair of updated versions of its dressy diver: the Archimede SportTaucher 300M Automatic.
Breitling Colt GMT + diver
The 2010 Colt GMT + was officially introduced at the annual Baselworld 2010 trade show. The sporty three-hander comes in an easily recognizable 41.3-mm stainless steel case and is equipped with the Breitling caliber 32 COSC-certified caliber, which is based on the ETA 2893-2 movement, which is a GMT version of the omnipresent ETA 2892A2. Now, tell me about “derivative works.”
Maurice Lacroix Classique Chronograph (ref. LC6058-SS001-430)
This year Maurice Lacroix will add yet another model to its Les Classiques collection. Sporting the same recognizable design (that somehow draws associations with much more expensive F.P. Journe Chronometre Bleu,) the 2010 Classique Chronograph with a blue dial (ref. LC6058-SS001-430) is a timepiece that is trendy, dressy and -what’s even more important- up to the point.
Orient Sporty-Automatic Open Engine Sports CDB02004B model
Orient has started selling its new Sporty-Automatic Open Engine Sports CDB02004B with a popular “open-heart” dial cutout that gives you a birds-eye view of the engine that makes it tick.