The 2014 Longines Heritage Diver Chronograph (Ref. L2.796.4.52.9) takes you in the same direction as their earlier cushion-shaped models: the 1970s. If you have always wanted a watch in a “cushion” or, perhaps, “tonneau” body, but always thought that Panerai and TAG Heuer chronographs look a bit too tiring with their deliberately repetitive, run-of-the-mill design, this is the one to consider.
ETA 2894
Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Limited Edition
The good old Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 (ref. V241660) has been on the market for some years now. Designed with lovers of “military diving” in mind, it must be popular among customers around the world if the Swiss entry-luxury brand, which is mostly known for its multipurpose knives, has finally decided to offer a relatively expensive limited edition of the piece. Sporting the usual sturdy-looking body crowned with a visually complex unidirectional rotating bezel, the new version of the Dive Master 500 features a more interesting dial and is, for a change, equipped with a mechanical movement made by ETA.
Bell & Ross BR03-94 Tornado Chronograph
Bell & Ross has finally re-introduced its BR03-94 model. Called BR03-94 Tornado Chronograph, it features the same functionality, but is now dedicated to the legendary Tornado multi-purpose jets that are still in use by Italy’s Air Force.
Eberhard & Co. Chrono4 Geant Full Injection Limited Edition (Ref. 31062)
Eberhard & Co. has first presented this collection back in late 2011. Featuring a titanium case, the 2012 Chrono 4 Geant Edition Limitee Titane was almost as light as a feather, but I suspect that the choice of the metal was just not right for a huge sporty watch that looks like a tank or a star destroyer but is highly prone to dents and scratches. To correct their mistakes, the guys have created a limited edition Eberhard & Co. Chrono4 Geant Full Injection (Ref. 31062) that doesn’t just look tough. It is tough.
Concord C2 GraffitiGrey Automatic Chronograph in Black PVD (ref. 0320190)
Concord’s elegant C2 line of sporty chronographs has recently received yet another upgrade. The 2012 Concord C2 GraffitiGrey (ref. 0320190) may not look as striking as the 2011 Chronograph Amethyst, but it still features the C2’s signature energetically shaped, medium-sized body, which is now presented in black PVD-treated steel and is accompanied with a nicely tinted sapphire glass and grey Superluminova accents on the three-dimensional dial.
Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Chrono Automatic
Corum has finally added a chronograph model to its Legend 42 line of compact sporty watches. Called Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Chrono, the new chronograph is equipped with an ETA-based COSC-certified chronometer movement and, as you have probably already guessed, comes in a mid-sized body that measures only 42 millimeters in diameter.
Concord C2 Chronograph Black & White Automatic (ref. 0320186)
The Swiss watchmaker Concord, which is known for its uncompromising, even hard-core approach to industrial design, has recently presented its new Concord C2 Chronograph Black & White (ref. 0320186) family. Featuring a lot more subdued design (in this respect, the new line reminds me of their C2 Chronograph Matte-Black model (Refs. SKU 0320141 / 0320138) that was revealed earlier this year) and offered in two variations, the watches are supposed to be bought in pairs: for you and your Mr. Hyde.
Eterna Heritage Chronograph 1938 Limited Edition
Eterna will soon expand its line of vintage-styled chronographs with a new Eterna Heritage Chronograph 1938 Limited Edition (ref. 1938.41.45.1250) model. Presented in a massive, rectangular stainless steel body that somehow reminds me of similar timekeepers manufactured by JLC, the new watch leaves a lasting impression.
Concord C2 Chronograph Matte-Black (Refs. SKU 0320141 / 0320138)
The 2011 Concord C2 Chronograph (Refs. SKU 0320141 / 0320138) collection doesn’t look as outrageous as some of their other models that were introduced during the last couple of years, yet I would say that the more subdued design language that this new gadget speaks is potentially more commercially successful. The C2 Chrono primarily targets a mass market where most customers simply need an accurate and well-made dressy watch that would also look good with formal attire. Of that, the new member of the family delivers plenty.
Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Black Officer Chronograph
Being biased towards chronographs (at least, when it comes to so-called ‘aviators’,) I must admit that I am almost in love with this mirror-polished Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Officer Chronograph. Offered in a refined mid-sized body that is inspired by pilot’s watches of the pre-WWII era, this iteration of the BR 126 model brings you a convincing combination of a relatively clean, easy to read dial and a slightly modified version of a Swiss-made automatic movement that is known for its reliability and precision.
Eberhard & Co. Chrono4 BADBOY Automatic Chronograph
At the beginning of this year, Eberhard & Co. has extended its Chrono4 line of automatic chronographs with a sportier Chrono4 BADBOY (ref. 31060) model. Featuring a bold and energetic, yet “industrial” design, which combines monochromatic color scheme of steel and rubber with only small red accents here and there, the watch leaves a somewhat ambiguous impression and, like the famous black licorice, should be sold under a “Love it or hate it, Whatever” slogan.
Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Chronograph
Bell & Ross has updated its Vintage line of “aviators” with this new Vintage Original BR 126 Chronograph that now comes in a round stainless steel case and features an elegant egg-shell-white dial. Fairly compact by today’s standards, this aviator may get some well-deserved attention from persons seeking for a nice vintage-styled pilot’s watch that doesn’t look like you just stole a hockey pluck.
Edox Classe-Royale Limited Edition “Jackpot” chronograph
Offered in an oversized square-shaped case and powered by a slightly redecorated ETA 2894S2 skeletonized caliber, the limited-edition Edox Classe-Royale Jackpot (ref. 95001 357N NIN, but also available in PVD-plated rose gold as ref. 95001 357RN NIR) chronograph looks surprisingly refined. The secret behind the successful design, perhaps, is in a subtle way that the brand’s designers have balanced the (originally) unimpressive layout of the open-worked ETA movement with a sporty square case using nothing more than three black rims for the chronograph sub-dials and a deliberately multi-part bezel. The result? Well, it’s a fairly nice chronograph that is as visually attractive as it is, regretfully, overpriced.
Bell & Ross Instrument BR01-92 & 94 Carbon Fiber
Bell & Ross has recently released a new addition to their Instrument family of “aviators”: the laconic three-hander Instrument BR 01-92 Carbon Fiber and a bit more complicated Instrument BR 01-94 Carbon Fiber that features chronograph functionality. As you probably have already gathered from the names, both watches have their massive square-shaped bodies crafted not from some vulgar steel or titanium, but from ultra-lightweight and corrosion-resistant carbon fiber material.
Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit
Besides its chunky 46-mm case, the 2010 Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit automatic chronograph also offers you an unusually styled dial with the common hour numerals replaced with minute markers in “05” — “60” format.