The 2014 Porsche Design Chronograph Titanium Limited Edition is yet another masterpiece of German design. Delivering just the right combination of manliness and reserved elegance that could only be compared to that of a Porsche 911 Carrera sports car, it is issued as a limited edition of just 500 pieces, which is a pity: collectibility or not, the world, which is dominated by tasteless, soulless objects of industrial design, needs more beautiful things like this one.
42 mm
Pierre DeRoche GrandCliff Milady Chrono with Diamonds
The Pierre DeRoche GrandCliff Milady Chrono delivers that winning combination of features that you will rarely see when it comes to wristwatches designed for ladies. It somehow manages to combine an “exclusive” caliber made by its parent company Dubois-Depraz, and a brilliantly decorated dial. There is also a finely sculpted body and just the right number of precious stones in a unique package that makes this timepiece immediately adorable and extremely desirable. Frankly, I wasn’t able to find a single flaw with this beautiful device.
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.
Archimede Klassik 42 Bicolor Automatic
Owned by Ickler GmbH, a German company that makes its own high-quality watch cases and also happens to own a bit more “premium” brand Limes, the watchmaking specialist has released its new Archimede Klassik 42 Bicolor. The timekeeper arrives in six variations with all sorts of available customizations that you can possibly imagine. Although not as refined as similarly (base price plus essential options included) priced models from competitors, the Klassik 42 Bicolor is worth a look, especially if you are into that sort of rugged beauty that Archimede is known for.
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).
Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK)
The limited-edition 2014 Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT (ref. C70-3527GT-SRK) was inspired (and also heavily influenced) by chronographs from the 1960s and, perhaps, 1970s. Cheerful (and even playful), it features the signature exaggerated minute track designed to look like gauges on a sports car’s instrument panel, and a contrast color scheme for its busy dial, but sports a way more precise thermo-compensated quartz movement made by ETA. The ETA 251.233 Thermoline surpasses any “normal” quartz caliber by an order of magnitude when it comes to the tiny amount of time it gains or loses during a whole year of operation.
Longines Heritage 1935 Automatic Pilot’s Watch (Ref. L2.794.4.53.0)
With its lovingly reproduced look and feel of the original Longines CAF “aviator” that was first introduced almost 80 years ago (it was actually an evolution of one of their even older models from the 1920s), the 2014 Longines Heritage 1935 (Ref. L2.794.4.53.0) gives you a perfect chance to own a timekeeper that perfectly blends the unique design language of the pre-war era with a modern technology.
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Rolling Stones Edition
With its new El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Rolling Stones Edition (ref. 03.2048.4061/77.C496), Zenith tries to appeal to hearts (as well as wallets and credit cards) of the baby boomers: those men and women in their sixties that remember the year 1969. Some of them actually saw Jimi Hendrix performing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock 1969, attended Led Zeppelin’s Summer 1969 North American Tour, while the luckiest of them even managed to see at least one of 16 shows of The Rolling Stones American Tour 1969.
Ball Watches Fireman Storm Chaser Pro
Ball Watches has released the facelifted version of the Ball Fireman Storm Chaser Pro (ref. CM3090C-L1J-BK) during the Baselworld 2014 show. The refreshed watch features a finely executed telemeter scale and packs within its medium-sized 42 mm stainless steel body the same cal. RR1402 automatic chronograph movement, but now looks a lot more elegant than the previous iteration of the timepiece. It’s almost as if Porsche has released its current-gen Cayenne performance SUV with its gorgeous exterior and plush interior without sacrificing all the off-road goodness of the first-gen model.
Oris Big Crown Timer Chronograph Automatic (Ref. 675 7648 4234 LS)
Based on their Oris Big Crown X1 Calculator (Ref. 01 675 7648 4264-07 5 23 77) that was first released in 2011, the Oris Big Crown Timer Chronograph (Ref. 675 7648 4234 LS) features only subtle cosmetic changes that, however, make all the difference: as cluttered as the base version is, the gadget still somehow manages to look cleaner and is easier to read.
Tissot T-Race Touch Aluminium
During Baselworld 2014, Tissot put on display a number of nice collections that make absolutely clear that Tissot is serious about increasing its market share when it comes to “affordable” watches. Among the new products, they have officially presented their T-Race Touch Aluminium (ref. T081.420.97.057.03)
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.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Bi-Retrograde for Dubail Paris
Dubail Paris, a particularly expensive boutique, which is located on the famous Place Vendome, will soon start selling a limited edition version of the dressy Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Bi-Retrograde. Sporting the same hours and minutes, as well as days of week and date indicators, the Ref. 86020 differs from the 2010 model only with the choice of materials and color combinations.
JS Watch Co. Frisland Classic Automatic
The 2013 JS Watch Co. Frisland Classic doesn’t open new horizons in terms of industrial design, yet it delivers a nice combination of timeless elegance, attention to details and high build quality. Still, some enthusiasts may find it considerably overpriced.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Blue Chronograph (Ref. 49150/000A-9745)
The stately Overseas collection has recently been updated with a version with a lacquered blue dial and a leather band of the same noble color. The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Blue Chronograph (Ref. 49150/000A-9745) is currently available exclusively in the United States and in VC boutiques.