wow – Swiss Watch Makers

Breitling Introduces the All-New Premier Collection

Nicolas Scatena — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 16:48:55 +0000

Chief executive of Breitling, Georges Kern, who is remaking the brand from top to bottom, most notably by moving away from oversized, extremely shiny wristwatches with fussily designed dials. With the start of that, a new Premier Collection.

The Breitling Premier gets its name from the 1943 elegant original, this new version being leeker, cleaner aesthetic than the average Breitling. And it’s also worth pointing out that the most recent iteration of the Premier from the late 1990s that had cursive Arabic numerals has been sensibly forgotten.

The new Premier line is made up of 4 models, plus a new Breitling for Bentley Chronograph. The key features of this new collection include the range is characterised by moderately sized cases – the largest being a 42mm chronograph. Domed sapphire crystals with antireflective coating are also common to all models which is a key feature.

The dials of the Premier line are two-part, with a separate, sloped flange for either the minute track or tachymetre. Hands and hour markers are baton-shaped. And while the movements across the line differ from model to model, all are COSC-certified chronometers.

The Premier is a line-up with different finishes and styles, available with a variety of metallic finish dials in sedate colours: black, grey, dark blue, and silver. Different and various straps are also available, including Breitling’s new signature slanted-link Pilot bracelet.

The collection starts with the Premier Automatic 40, a 40mm, time-0nly automatic powered by the Breitling Calibre 37, which is actually a variant of the ETA 2892.

With the same size as Automatic 40, the Premier Automatic Day & Date 40, has the calendar in windows. Inside is the Breitling Calibre 45, which is derived from the ETA 2824.

The entry-level chronograph is the Premier Chronograph 42. It has a 42mm case that contains the ETA Valjoux 7750, which has tone-on-tone chronograph sub-dials.

The more intricate and top of the line model is the Premier B01 Chronograph 42, which is equipped with the in-house Breitling B01 movement.

Other than the “tri-compax” layout of the chronograph, another feature that indicates it’s an in-house movement are the contrast colour sub-dials.

The more upscale version is the Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley British Racing Green. It’s perhaps the most sedate Bentley wristwatch Breitling has ever made in the 16-year span of the brand’s collaboration.

Price and availability

The new Premier collection reaches retailers and boutiques October 2018. Prices are as follows for the base models fitted with a calfskin strap:

Premier B01 Chronograph 42 – US$8200

Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley – US$8500

Premier Chronograph 42 – US$6050

Premier Automatic Day & Date 40 – US$4000

Breitling Premier Automatic 40 – US$4000

Crocodile straps are an additional US$200, while a folding clasp is extra US$250. And a matching steel bracelet is US$750.

Introducing the Corum Golden Bridge Titane DLC

Nicolas Scatena — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 16:28:09 +0000

Many might know the love I have for Corum watches. Today we have an all new Corum Golden Bridge Titane DLC. Corum has always been known for mixing both intricate designs that reflects onto the mechanics. The ultra-narrow movement sits suspended in space, surrounded by transparent crystal panes that make the movement the star of the watch.

n 2016 Corum unveiled the round Golden Bridge, departing from the traditional rectangular or tonneau case for the first time. Now Corum debuts a new Golden Bridge in a titanium case coated in black diamond-like carbon (DLC).

The movement, cal. CO 113 is equipped with a variable inertia balance and a barrel with a slipping spring to prevent overwinding, which means the winding mechanism disengages once the mainspring is fully wound. It has also a cool 40-hour power reserve.

The bridge and base plate are made of 18k solid gold, and hand-engraved with a floral motif. The movement can be readily available in either white or pink gold, with the hands, flange and crown in a matching colour of gold.

The Golden Bridge Titane DLC measures the same 43mm in diameter and 8.3mm thick as the 18k gold model, but is markedly more lightweight thanks to the case alloy. The case is rated to up to 30mm in depth.

To finish up this fabulous timepiece, it is available in a sporty-ish style, fitted to a black rubber strap with black-coated titanium folding clasp.

Price and Availability

The Corum Golden Bridge Titane DLC in white gold is priced at SFr23,500 or S$39,700, while the rose gold version is a limited edition of 68 pieces, priced at SFr23,800 or S$40,210.

Some Favorite Non-Swiss Watchmakers

Nicolas Scatena — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:03:25 +0000

When talking about watches especially the high-end ones, the word ‘Swiss’ will always come up. For centuries Switzerland has always been the number one in watchmaking and the best watches always are Swiss made. But some people are close minded and don’t know about the brands that produce very high quality brands that can be considered as high-end watches. In this list we have the favorite non-Swiss watchmakers that have been producing amazing timepieces over the time.

James Stacey – A. Lange & Söhne (Germany)

A. Lange & Söhne doesn’t need much introduction but this small German watch manufacturer has been producing one of the finest watches over the years. Germany has been had a strong watchmaking history in the past and A. Lange & Söhne has paved a good part of it. Their watches are full of uniqueness while being gorgeous and distinctive. They focus on featuring watches that are beautifully subtle with complexity. A.Lange & Söhne is the heart of German watchmaking.

Jack Forster – Grand Seiko (Japan)

Grand Seiko is one of those brands that really shows you do no have to be a Swiss brand to succeed in the watchmaking world. The Japanese brand has been designing amazing watches since the start of the 20th century and since then has had a name for themselves. The philosophy of quality that informs them is so characteristically Japanese which makes it so incredible. Grand Seiko doesn’t aspire to resemble a great Swiss watch; instead, it strives to be the best possible Japanese watch. Grand Seiko has shown great evidence that you can be at any part of the world to create such a wonderful timepiece.

Stephen Pulvirent – Sarpaneva (Finland)

Many people would not think as Finland as a country for watchmaking rather one for hockey legends or telecom companies like Nokia. Sarpaneva has been producing watches from the center of Helsinki. Their watches have a completely different feel to them having a rock n’ roll feeling to them. With the signature moon grinning back at you from the often layered dials. They also has a line of slightly lower priced pieces under the brand S.U.F that are intended for the Finnish domestic market and play off local culture and use local materials. It is very fascinating to see a watch brand like this using their own materials and building watches in their own turf while making watches that are nothing alike to the ‘Swiss’ style.

3 Sports Luxury Watches that Deliver on Both Fronts

Nicolas Scatena — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 19:03:28 +0000

The watch industry has grown into a giant industry which many people have become enthusiasts. In the watch world, every watch has its special occasion and there are watches for each separate activity in the day. To have a watch for every different activity in the day would be very costly. To get through the day with one watch, the watch must portray different aspects at once. In the list below, we found three of the best luxury sport watches have the aspects of both luxury and sporty looks.

Sports luxury is a popular subgenera in the watchmaking world. Watchmakers could label any oversized solid-gold diver as sports luxe, but the reality is that most of these watches will never see any actual sports time. The watches below are timepieces that could be found both on the court or at dinner.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut

Like the Rolex , the Aquanaut has the winning combo of rubber strap and slender case. Beyond that, the details are very dazzling , an interesting dial and top-notch movement. Beautiful but not delicate. This watch could be taken anywhere from a tennis match to a meeting or even a basketball game.

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Oysterflex

Similar to the Patek Phillipe, a sporty luxury watch should have a comfortable strap and a slim case. Just looking at this Rolex you can definitely tell it is a pretty comfy timepiece. The slim case profile and Cerachrom bezel are also key attributes in the Yacht-Master’s success as a sports-ready status symbol. RRP $31,650

Hublot Classic Fusion Racing Grey

When thinking about brands that are very sporty, Hublot should come to mind, no doubt about it. Big and bold watches is what Hublot specializes in. The Classic Fusion line shares this sporty aesthetic and DNA but in a dressier, more refined package. What’s cool about this watch is the rubber backed leather strap which mean you can sweat all you want with no worries. RRP $30,300