The 2009 Breitling Navitimer 125th Anniversary successfully mixes the brand’s signature bold styling with the legendary slide-rule bezel in a surprisingly compact 43 mm stainless steel case. Although I find some of its design elements puzzling to say the least (I am talking mostly about the “unique” Air Racer bracelet that, to my eyes, looks here like a set of polished 22-inch light alloy rims on a 1946 Cadillac Series 62 coupe: they do the job, but make an awkward impression), with the bracelet replaced for something more adequate the gadget will be a crown jewel in any collection of pilot’s watches.
43 mm
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.
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.
Oris BC4 Flight Timer: ready for take-off?
The idea of creating a watch with a rotating internal bezel that could be operated by an external unit is not terribly new. However, it is this new Oris BC4 Flight Timer (Ref. 690 7615 41 54 LS) that the Swiss-based brand presented at Baselworld 2008 show that puts the whole concept on its head.
DeWitt Academia Night Chronograph: Radiating Luminous Splendor
DeWitt delivers the stately Academia Night Chronograph (Ref. AC.6005.53.M255) in a massive 18-karat rose gold body of three different varieties inspired by long-gone days of the Golden Age that preceded the Great Depression of the 1930s. The collection’s main point of attraction is the unusual gear-shaped bezel that is matched by similarly styled sides of the massive case. Although to some the device may look a bit too extreme, it will find its share of customers even despite its obscenely high MSRP.
Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph (ref. 103094)
In 2008, Montblanc has introduced yet another TimeWalker. Delivered in nicely styled stainless steel with black ceramic elements decorating its body and comfortable-looking bracelet, the chronograph makes a good impression although its sticker price may scare a lot of potential customers away to more traditional models with better-advertised brand names printed on their dials.