45 mm | WWR

Eterna Super Kontiki Chronograph Automatic (refs. 7770.41.49.1382 & 7770.41.49.1718)

Oct 05, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4702 views

Recently bought by a Chinese investment holding company, the Swiss-based watchmaker Eterna keeps on churning out great (while a bit overpriced) time measuring devices that also happen to be quite elegant accessories. Although clearly far from being "groundbreaking," their new Eterna Super Kontiki Chronograph (refs. 7770.41.49.1382 & 7770.41.49.1718) collection of self-winding diving watches was presented earlier this year and is now available not only in the brand's numerous stores around the world, but also at some online retailers albeit at very small discounts.

Swiss

Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 9 Automatic Limited Edition (ref. 241732)

Jul 28, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6802 views

Presented at Baselworld 2016, the new Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 9 Automatic Limited Edition (ref. 241732) chronograph somehow manages to combine more or less adequate pricing (especially after all the usual discounts that the Swiss-based brand is known for) with a fairly small lot of pieces destined to be manufactured and sent to select stores around the world.

Swiss

Tissot Heritage 1936 Hand-Wound (ref. T104.405.16.012.00)

Jul 22, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 8340 views

During the last three or four years the Swiss-based watchmaker Tissot has introduced a number of great classic-styled timekeepers in their Heritage line. Among others, the collection included an absolutely stunning 2013 Heritage Navigator 160th Anniversary model that still stays in production. For this year, the entry-luxury brand adds an even more impressive (although deceptively simple) Tissot Heritage 1936 (ref. T104.405.16.012.00) mechanical wristwatch. Staying true to the collection's concept, the model combines deliciously vintage appearance with a time-proven hand-wound caliber and more than attractive price. What else would you want for Christmas?

Swiss

Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio (ref. PAM 627)

Jan 25, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6129 views

During the 26th Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH 2016,) the Italian brand has presented a number of new watches. Among them was this gorgeous (but in a very modest way) Panerai Radiomir 1940 3Days GMT Acciaio (ref. PAM 627) that features their brand new Caliber P.4001 movement with micro-rotor design. Although the watchmaker didn't dare to steep too far away from the time-proven design that Radiomir collection is known for, the watch still looks fresh and attractive thanks to the waffle-style dial finish that they, unfortunately, use only on a very limited number of models.

Swiss

Bell & Ross WW1-97 Heritage Automatic (ref. BRWW197-HER-ST/SCR)

Nov 11, 2015 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4793 views

The new Bell & Ross WW1-97 Heritage (ref. BRWW197-HER-ST/SCR) delivers the familiar mix of well-calculated design, which is both elegant and masculine, and a bullet-proof mechanism, which is both reliable and accurate. All of them are offered at a relatively affordable price that makes this new creation one of the best choices in the Value for Money category.

Swiss

Chopard 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition (Ref. 168535-3003)

Jun 17, 2015 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3481 views

The new Chopard 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition (Ref. 168535-3003) (wow, that's a really long name indeed) is, for all practical purposes, simply a new iteration of last year's Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 ref. 168535-3002 model. The only thing that makes it visually different is a set of new color accents on the dial and bezel flange. Now also proudly wearing Jacky Ickx's signature on its engraved case back cover, the watch was originally designed to celebrate long standing partnership between the two high-end brands, but, it so happened that it also praises Porsche's decisive victory at 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Quartz / Swiss

Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar 45mm (ref. T091.420.46.041.00)

Feb 21, 2015 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6600 views

Designed for persons leading active lifestyle, the 2015 Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar (ref. T091.420.46.041.00) looks like a mild face-lift of the 2014 model. The refreshed exterior is more convincing. The list of functions is more or less the same. It's awesome in its simplicity, yet not rugged enough to compete with a G-Shock. While the piece's altimeter is good for 4478 meters, you probably don't want to take it mountain-climbing.

Swiss

Zenith El Primero Stratos Spindrift Racing Special Edition

Nov 11, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4071 views

Available in two finishes and sporting a fairly impressive size of whole 45 millimeters in diameter, the new Zenith El Primero Stratos Spindrift Racing Special Edition (refs. 75.2060.4061/21.R573 & 86.2060.4061/21.R573) tries to mix into a single convincing package such iconic elements of their design as signature rotating bezel, cloverleaf-style dial cutout that shows the timekeeper's inner workings, as well as an El Primero movement. What's really surprising is that the final product doesn't look too eclectic: while standing a bit dangerously to the 'love it or hate it' category, it is, in fact, quite an organic-looking watch that will certainly find a niche of its own.

Swiss

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Day Date Automatic

Aug 05, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 12202 views

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Day Date (ref. 01 752 7698 4164-07 5 22 17FC) combines a vintage modern (I hope, Marshall Amps won't mind me using the combination of words) design of its moderately oversized stainless steel body with an inexpensive self-winding movement with day/date display that they outsource from the Swiss based ebauche maker Sellita. Easily readable and comfortable thanks to its ergonomically shaped case and a nicely designed folding clasp, the watch is priced at just over €1300, but seems to deliver a lot more value than most similarly priced timekeepers with the same functionality.

Swiss

Hublot Classic Fusion Bol d’Or Mirabaud Chronograph in Titanium (Ref. 521.NQ.1717.QR.BOM14)

Jun 27, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4293 views

The new Hublot Classic Fusion Bol d'Or Mirabaud (Ref. 521.NQ.1717.QR.BOM14) is a nice take on the Swiss brand's iconic Classis Fusion collection. While the differences with other models in the range seem to be only cosmetic, the choice of materials and the way they are put together makes a very strong impression. As usual, Hublot will severely limit its total production volume in order to make it a 'real' rarity.