Earlier this year, Steinhart has issued their new take on the concept of a “vintage-modern pilot”. Successfully blending vintage exterior with a classic caliber and modern CNC machinery, the 2018 Nav.B-Chrono 47 Baumuster B Grey Edition (ref. 106-0877) offers, perhaps, the best “value for money” ratio for those interested in buying a relatively affordable brand new “aviator”.
47 mm
Citizen Promaster Navihawk Satellite Wave GPS (ref. CC9030-51E)
Citizen has been in the business of (also) making GPS-equipped watches for, like, forever. Their Promaster Navihawk Satellite Wave GPS (ref. CC9030-51E) is a fine example of how you can get a lot of know-how, a block of high-grade steel, and a handful of silicon parts and create an absolutely wonderful object that can be a watch, a gadget, and even a surprisingly low-priced fashion statement as well!
Pierre DeRoche TNT Royal Retro GMT 1/2 Hour (Ref. TNT10005ACTI0-005CR) (UPDATED)
The 2015 Pierre DeRoche TNT Royal Retro GMT 1/2 Hour is basically the same TNT Royal Retro RB model that we have seen many times before, but with a new complication that makes it not only fancy looking but also useful for frequent travelers.
Longines Twenty-Four Hours Chronograph Monopusher (ref. L2.797.4.73.0)
With its stainless steel body deliberately oversized to remind you of those gigantic pilot’s watches of the pre-WWII era, and a modern self-winding movement with column-wheel chronograph system, this Longines Twenty-Four Hours Single Push-Piece Chronograph (ref. L2.797.4.73.0) delivers a strong blend of masculine presence, clever industrial design and technical ingenuity. However, the price that Longines wants you to pay for the piece is steep putting it into the same category with such established (but, thankfully, too common) monsters as Tag Heuer Carrera, Omega Speedmaster and, of course, IWC Portofino: a pocket watch-based enfant terrible that started it all. Will the vintage-style design save this beautiful specimen? Well, time will certainly tell.
Seiko Astron GPS Stratosphere (Ref. SAS033)
The Japanese electronics conglomerate Seiko has officially presented its new Seiko Astron Stratosphere GPS-enabled watch. Although currently there is nothing more than a presentation page on their corporate site, it is already clear that the new version looks a lot more impressive than the high-tech Astron GPS Solar World Timer in black titanium (Ref. SAST001/007) that the Japanese brand started selling in October 2012. Just look at this huge, domed sapphire crystal that covers not only the dial itself, but also the bezel with its luminous UTC city codes. Isn’t it amazing?
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931
Back in December 2010, when the Swiss manufacturer was going to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its iconic 1931 Reverso model, the brand has introduced an outstanding Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 Limited Edition. The timekeeper proved to be so popular among thousands of fans that exactly a year later JLC introduced an even more appealing Grande Reverso 1931 Rouge Hand-Wound, and a later year still a splendid Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface Bleu. This year, the company introduces Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 (ref. Q2782560) that features a slightly different, but an even more historically correct dial.
Panerai Luminor 1950 Left-Handed 3 Days (PAM 557)
Preparing for the SIHH 2014 industry event, the legendary Italian brand is about to begin yet another heavy artillery barrage of new model announcements. Among the first shells to blast the ground near you is their new Panerai Luminor 1950 Left-Handed 3 Days (PAM 557). Equipped with their in-house hand-wound caliber, the watch is designed for that strange sort of people that strum the guitar with their lefts and wear their watches on their rights.
Perrelet Turbine Automatic Chronograph (Ref. A1074/2)
First presented back in 2009, the “double-rotor” Turbine line includes a number of beautiful three-handers. What the collection lacked till now was a chronograph: obviously, it is not that easy to make a chronograph out of a watch that has most of its dial covered with a turbine blades-styled auxiliary oscillating weight. However, with its new Perrelet Turbine Automatic Chronograph (Ref. A1074/2), the company demonstrates that anything is possible if you have some imagination.
Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold (Ref. 0320227)
The sporty C1 Chronograph family was seriously refreshed earlier this year with the styling of their dials more congruent with that of their prominent cases. Now, Concord introduces yet another version. Combining mirror-polished 18-karat rose gold, glossy black ceramics, as well as PVD-treated, high-grade titanium alloy, the 2013 Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold (Ref. 0320227) is similar to Porsche 911 GT3 in its versatility: just like the latter can be used both on a track and as a daily commuter, you can wear the former both during office hours and in a night club.
Patek Philippe Gondolo 8 Days (Ref. 5200G) in White Gold
For a brand of such pedigree, Patek Philippe isn’t especially consistent when it comes to the design of their Gondolo series specifically or rectangular watches in general. The things that they share is an elongated body and, of course, a brilliantly executed mechanism: a Rolls-Royce of a mechanical movement that any wristwatch would be proud to be animated with. Among the three models of the series that are currently present on their corporate website, the 2013 Patek Philippe Gondolo 8 Days (Ref. 5200G) is the most exciting with its finely crafted Art Deco case and deliciously complicated, exquisitely finished movement.