The 2018 Christopher Ward C1 Grand Malvern Worldtimer (the model with reference number C01-43AWT2-S00W0-CC with a “Camel” leather strap is reviewed here, but there are two more versions available with “Tan” and “Blue” leather bands,) is the young watchmaking brand’s latest attempt to conquer the niche of dressy ‘UTC’ watches. This time, it offers a better-calculated combination of good quality, great exterior, and a nice automatic movement that is equipped with a complication that is manufactured exclusively for Chr. Ward by its long-standing Swiss-based partner.
43 mm
Breitling Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Limited Edition in Collaboration with MR PORTER
Created in collaboration with MR PORTER, one of their major partners that sells all things luxury, the 2018 Breitling Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 is limited to just 1000 pieces, packs a great in-house chronograph caliber, and, as real estate agents like to say, is priced to sell in a market over-saturated with equally elegant pilot’s watches produced by well-established brands like Omega and IWC.
Montblanc TimeWalker Automatic Chronograph UTC Ceramic (ref. 116101)
Unveiled at the Baselworld 2017, the Montblanc TimeWalker Automatic Chronograph UTC Ceramic (ref. 116101) is a nice (if a bit overpriced to my taste) addition to their line of popular sporty chronographs. While some of the main selling points of this new TimeWalker -like, say, the choice of the movement, as well as the combination of materials- look more “acceptable” to yours truly rather than even mildly “exciting,” we at WorldWatchReview.com would still recommend getting one of these oversized pieces of, um, time-measuring opulence if the price is not a problem.
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Carbon (refs. 241776 & 241777)
Coming soon to a store near you, the new Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Carbon (refs. 241776 & 241777) military-style collection offers you a decent Swiss made movement neatly packed into a feather-light carbon-fiber body. Despite being somewhat overpriced, the I.N.O.X. Carbon still gives you tons of style and comfort in return for that hard-earned cash.
Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 Automatic (Ref. 41034)
Presented at Baselworld 2016, the Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 (ref. 41034) looks like a faithful recreation of a classic model that was sold by the brand back in the 1950s. Offering you a nice combination of a robust Swiss-made movement, adequate water resistance rating of 300 meters, and an elegant exterior, it is mildly overpriced but will probably be successful in the long run when all sorts of discounts and rebates kick in.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Ceramic Automatic Diver
The iconic TAG Heuer Aquaracer family finally gets a handful of new members that have their stainless steel bezels replaced with ceramic ones. Available in black and blue, with plain or blacked-out steel bodies, and featuring a nice choice of available straps, they are still relatively affordable if you take into account a nice combination of attractive styling, reliability and a bullet-proof automatic movement to finish the picture.
Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme
While not terribly expensive (and still not particularly affordable given that so far the collection is only presented in stainless steel), the new Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme was designed for those people who believe that a dress watch must only be worn with formal attire. While you still can wear one of them with jeans or even chinos, you must be either a really successful screenwriter or a slightly eccentric serial start-upper to pull off the trick.
Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph LE (ref. SBGC013)
With its extremely precise mechanism and a nice sporty case, the new Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph (ref. SBGC013) is a perfect (if not a bit overpriced) choice for a person who already has a collection of Speedmasters and wants to spice it with a lot more technologically advanced -and better finished- timekeeper from Japan.
Breitling Aerospace Evo Night Mission Chronograph
It’s hard to believe, but the “professional” Aerospace line is here for the whole three decades! Celebrating the anniversary, Breitling has introduced a limited-edition Aerospace Evo Night Mission chronograph. With a total production run limited to mere 300 pieces and a new color of the dial that nicely accents its almost black satin-brushed body, the 2015 model will probably be sold out in no time even despite its impressive price.
Hands-On: Swatch Irony Browned Quartz Chronograph (Ref. YVS400)
If you are one of those guys who think that they get what they pay for, this Swatch Irony Browned (Ref. YVS400) quartz chronograph is the finest proof that you may be terribly wrong: sometimes you get a lot less.