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Results for The Royal Oak Launch Story

41,742 articles · 257 videos found · page 101 of 1400

Max-imum cool: MB&F; HM12 “The Guardian” SJX Watches
MB&F; Jun 10, 2026

Max-imum cool: MB&F; HM12 “The Guardian”

After more than 20 years, avante garde independent MB&F; returns to its roots and looks to its future with HM12 The Guardian. It combines a Horological Machine with a high-end shaped movement, flying tourbillon the most elaborate – and coolest – watch stand imaginable: a nearly 400 mm tall, 15 kg robot. Better yet, The Guardian can shift into battle mode at a moments notice, deploying armor to protect its weak points. Initial Thoughts MB&F; marks its 20th anniversary with HM12 The Guardian, or would have, had it been ready in time. Instead HM12 celebrates MB&F;’s future, as the first project led solely by the brand’s creative director (and Max Büsser’s heir), Max Maertens. Mr Büsser kicked the project off about four years ago by pitching a robot with a watch for a face, following up on the brand’s robot Melchior and Balthazar desk clocks. After that, Max 2.0 was left to his own devices, with this as the result. It is a very reassuring result for those concerned about the brand’s future after Maximilian Büsser’s eventual retirement, which isn’t yet imminent, but something the brand is clearly preparing for. Interestingly, Eric Giroud, who has designed just about every MB&F; watch, was not involved in the project either. Max (left) and Max (right). Image – MB&F; While discussing the project, Mr Büsser told me that Mr Maertens actually modelled the robot himself in SolidWorks, which goes well beyond the normal duties of a designer. That Maertens did the har...

MAXimum Cool: MB&F; HM12 “The Guardian” is a Robot Watch-Clock SJX Watches
MB&F; Jun 10, 2026

MAXimum Cool: MB&F; HM12 “The Guardian” is a Robot Watch-Clock

After more than 20 years, avant-garde independent MB&F; returns to its roots and looks to its future with HM12 The Guardian. The HM12 is a Horological Machine containing a high-end shaped movement featuring a flying tourbillon, nestled in the most elaborate – and coolest – watch stand imaginable: a nearly 400 mm tall, 15 kg robot. Better yet, The Guardian can shift into battle mode at a moments notice, deploying armor to protect its weak points. Initial Thoughts MB&F; marks its 20th anniversary with HM12 The Guardian, or would have, had it been ready in time. Instead HM12 celebrates MB&F;’s future, as the first project led solely by the brand’s creative director (and founder Max Büsser’s heir), Max Maertens. Mr Büsser kicked the project off about four years ago by pitching a robot with a watch for a face, following up on the brand’s robot Melchior and Balthazar desk clocks. After that, Max 2.0 was left to his own devices, with this as the result. It is a very reassuring result for those concerned about the brand’s future after Maximilian Büsser’s eventual retirement, which isn’t yet imminent, but something the brand is clearly preparing for. Interestingly, Eric Giroud, who has designed just about every MB&F; watch, was not involved in the project either. Max (left) and Max (right). Image – MB&F; While discussing the project, Mr Büsser told me that Mr Maertens actually modelled the robot himself in SolidWorks, which goes well beyond the normal duties of a...

A Hands-On Introduction To The New Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection Fratello
Raymond Weil A.R.T Collection Ever since Jun 10, 2026

A Hands-On Introduction To The New Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection

Ever since Raymond Weil won the GPHG Challenge Watch Prize in 2023 with the Millesime, the brand has been on a roll. The Millesime collection really shows that stylish Swiss-made watches don’t have to break the bank. The same goes for last year’s dressier Toccata Heritage Series. Now, the brand, led by Raymond Weil’s grandson […] Visit A Hands-On Introduction To The New Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection to read the full article.

Seiko Celebrates their Long Relationship with PADI: Introducing the HBB002 PADI 60th Anniversary Diver Worn & Wound
Seiko Celebrates their Long Relationship Jun 9, 2026

Seiko Celebrates their Long Relationship with PADI: Introducing the HBB002 PADI 60th Anniversary Diver

Earlier this year, I helped a close friend pick out her first mechanical watch: a beautiful blue Seiko Prospex “Save the Ocean” special edition. For me, it was an easy recommendation, given my love of Seiko, their position as the true global king of entry- to mid-level watch purchases, and the prestige of the Prospex diver line itself. For her, as a lover of all things to do with the natural world, it was meaningful thanks to the eco-benefitting twist and oceanic theming. That particular Prospex was not the first, nor the last Seiko to showcase an organization doing work for ocean conservation and education: new for 2026 is the Prospex HBB002, celebrating the Professional Association of Diving Instructors’ (PADI) 60th anniversary.  Seiko’s connection with the world of diving goes far beyond the simple styling and function of many of their iconic diver timepieces. As the company points out, it released its first diver in 1965, just one year before the PADI itself was founded with the intention of raising training standards and expanding access to education on diving as a hobby and profession. Now operating in 183 countries, PADI also puts promoting ocean conservation at its forefront, a noble cause that Seiko themselves have championed with their Save the Ocean program. So, it makes sense that Seiko has supported PADI as a partner for ten years, and is celebrating that partnership and PADI’s sixtieth anniversary with the new HBB002 model.  The watch itself bring...

First Look – The New Yema Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 Refines the French Brand’s Architectural Dress Watch Monochrome
Yema Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 Refines Jun 9, 2026

First Look – The New Yema Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 Refines the French Brand’s Architectural Dress Watch

Named after the historic Granvelle Palace in Besançon, home to the city’s Museum of Time, the Yema Granvelle collection (2025) embraced a more architectural and elegant approach, stepping away from the brand’s familiar world of dive watches and tool-oriented sports models, and offering a model with a distinctive cushion-shaped case and powered by one of […]

Beaucroft Introduces the Arc, an Elegant Everyday Watch with Impressive Specs Worn & Wound
Jun 9, 2026

Beaucroft Introduces the Arc, an Elegant Everyday Watch with Impressive Specs

The microbrand/independent scene in the UK is truly one of the most exciting in the world, with dozens of brands vying for attention and an always growing community of excited watch enthusiasts eager to experience just about everything on offer. This is very much the vibe every time we attend British Watchmakers’ Day and have a chance to experience it firsthand, and honestly it’s invigorating in a way to be placed in an enthusiast environment that feels familiar but also very specific to the UK.  One of the more interesting brands to emerge from this scene is Beaucroft, based in Cambridge. Beaucroft is not the flashiest or highest profile microbrand in the UK, but they’re on the rise, and they tend to make an impression when you actually see the watches in person. Garrett was such a fan of the Element when he saw one he decided to purchase it for himself. My moment of conversion came at British Watchmakers’ Day 2025, where I still regret not purchasing the Penfold Special Edition released that year. Their newest release has been dubbed the “Arc” and is an update of the Seeker model originally launched in 2023.  The Arc leans into the design language that was established with the Seeker and the brand has continued to refine in every model since, namely flowing, natural case lines paired with dynamic, colorful fumé dials. The dramatic curved mid-case is, according to the brand, inspired by the Bridge of Sighs over the River Cam, not far from Beaucroft’s head...

Introducing: Beaucroft The Arc — An Evolution Of The Seeker Watch Range Fratello
Jun 9, 2026

Introducing: Beaucroft The Arc — An Evolution Of The Seeker Watch Range

Beaucroft introduces a new watch line called The Arc. This collection builds on one of Beaucroft’s defining designs, the Seeker, which established the brand’s signature flowing case and dial lines. Now, The Arc pushes that idea further. It remains an easy-wearing everyday watch but brings subtle improvements in construction and feel. The name comes from […] Visit Introducing: Beaucroft The Arc — An Evolution Of The Seeker Watch Range to read the full article.

Introducing – The New Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier Monochrome
Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier Jun 9, 2026

Introducing – The New Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier

The Delphis collection by Chronoswiss is home to increasingly expressive editions. The colourful and technically elaborate Delphis Firestarter, the refined Delphis Art Deco, the decorative and contemporary Delphis Dracula, Horizon and Dune, or the Delphis Sub Zero, inspired by glaciers and bright blue Arctic skies, all these and more were used by the Lucerne-based independent […]

Introducing – The New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech to Join the Permanent Collection Monochrome
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Jun 9, 2026

Introducing – The New Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech to Join the Permanent Collection

Blancpain expands the Fifty Fathoms collection and presents the new Fifty Fathoms Tech Ref. 5019A, a professional dive watch derived from the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa unveiled in 2023 and made specifically for closed-circuit rebreather divers and underwater explorers. The new version brings the same concept to a more universal watch, now featuring a date […]

Introducing: The Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio-Blu — 2026 Racing Edition Fratello
Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Jun 9, 2026

Introducing: The Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio-Blu — 2026 Racing Edition

Today, the 44th historical re-enactment of the Mille Miglia begins. The race, featuring more than 400 classic race cars, starts in Brescia and ends this Saturday in Rome. While the spectacular figure-eight route might not be a proper race anymore, it’s still exciting for so many other reasons. It’s quite the spectacle to watch a […] Visit Introducing: The Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio-Blu — 2026 Racing Edition to read the full article.

Hands-On: The Breguet Tradition GMT With Green Enamel Dial Hodinkee
Breguet Tradition GMT Jun 8, 2026

Hands-On: The Breguet Tradition GMT With Green Enamel Dial

Following a whirlwind year of releases for Breguet's 250th anniversary in 2025, this year's recent updates to the collection play it a little safer, with some enamel-focused changes to the brand's iconic Tradition series of watches. The fan favorites, I'm sure, are the 38mm Tradition Seconde Rétrograde models. But when I had a chance to check out some of the novelties a few weeks ago, it was actually the larger, 40mm Tradition GMT that caught my eye. Priced at $82,900, the Tradition GMT is very much a seriously priced contender in the haute horlogerie arena. But one look at the watch shows off so much of what makes it special, and most importantly, it's unabashedly Breguet. Add in the visual update of this current generation, and I think it's the best version I've seen yet. Much of what makes this version stand out is the main subdial at 12 o'clock. It's not every day that Breguet opts for a shade of green in the series—in fact, it's the first time in the Tradition line, as blues, blacks, golds, and greys seem to define much of the older collection. The execution of the gradient green-to-black grand feu enamel dial in this model is absolutely sublime. Enameling is one of the strengths I associate with Breguet's in-house capabilities, and here it's done very well, with a pleasant shade of forest green shifting to the dark black perimeter, all executed and fired by hand. While the Breguet logo and other dial markings are printed in a metallic silver finish for legibility,...

First Look – The Favre Leuba Deep Raider Day Date, with Four New Gradient Dials Monochrome
Favre Leuba Deep Raider Day Date Jun 8, 2026

First Look – The Favre Leuba Deep Raider Day Date, with Four New Gradient Dials

If Favre Leuba’s recent Deep Raider releases have taught us anything, it is that the brand is not slowing down. Spread across the past couple of weeks, we welcomed the Deep Raider Power Reserve, and the orange-accented Deep Raider Revival was unveiled not long ago too. Even before these, the brand had already reintroduced the […]

Introducing: The Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection Brings An Integrated Bracelet Sport Watch To The Swiss Value Brand (Live Pics) Hodinkee
Raymond Weil A.R.T Collection Brings Jun 8, 2026

Introducing: The Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection Brings An Integrated Bracelet Sport Watch To The Swiss Value Brand (Live Pics)

What We Know Raymond Weil has been on a roll as of late, gaining plenty of credibility with the enthusiast crowd with models like its classic sector dial Millesime, the elegantly shaped Toccata, and the watch-nerdy and sold-out limited edition chronograph The Fifty, marking its half-century anniversary. For its next trick, the Geneva-based family-owned brand is jumping into a crowded and competitive category, the integrated bracelet sport watch. Meet the A.R.T. collection, Raymond Weil's take on a stylish yet practical, take-you-just-about-anywhere, Swiss-made watch.  With a steel case, the  A.R.T. is 38 millimeters in diameter and 9.95mm thick. The case, bracelet design, and finishing represent a step up for the accessible brand, with polished bevels, an elegantly curved shape, and chamfered center links on the H-link integrated bracelet, which Raymond Weil says is a first for the brand.  The round, smooth brushed bezel achieves a distinct design and shape from the faceted, polished cutout features at 3, 6, 9, and 12, while eschewing bolts or screws. The case is gently curved with bevels emphasizing angles at the sides and integrated lugs. With a push/pull-stamped and fluted crown, the watch offers 100 meters (330 feet) of water resistance, adding to its practical appeal.  The 38mm A.R.T. comes in three sunray-finished dial colors: metallic blue, a black dial the brand calls 'graphite,' as well as a 'sage grey' dial. There are two bicolor versions with a gold bezel ...

First Look – The New Raymond Weil A.R.T., the Brand’s First Integrated-Bracelet Sporty-Chic Collection Monochrome
Raymond Weil A.R.T Jun 8, 2026

First Look – The New Raymond Weil A.R.T., the Brand’s First Integrated-Bracelet Sporty-Chic Collection

For a company that has spent nearly five decades building its reputation on accessible Swiss watchmaking, with quite a few recent successes with vintage-inspired releases, Raymond Weil has largely stayed away from one of the industry’s most competitive categories: the integrated-bracelet sports watch. Well, there’s a first time for everything, and Raymond Weil launches the […]

Introducing – The Sand-Coloured TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox Limited Edition Monochrome
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox Limited Jun 8, 2026

Introducing – The Sand-Coloured TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Glassbox Limited Edition

TAG Heuer has been having a lot of fun with the Carrera Chronograph Glassbox lately. Blue, panda, reverse panda, and purple versions have all brought a different style to the table. More recently, TAG Heuer also added teal green and black dials to the new-generation 41mm models, and the latest addition heads in yet another […]

Introducing – The New Hermès Arceau Cavalier en Formes Monochrome
Hermes Jun 8, 2026

Introducing – The New Hermès Arceau Cavalier en Formes

Designed in 1978 by Henri d’Origny, the acclaimed artistic director of Hermès who defined le gout Hermès, the elegantly asymmetrical Arceau echoes the brand’s longstanding equestrian ties with its stirrup-shaped lugs. The latest Arceau Cavalier en Formes is an amalgamation of the collection’s strengths, combining a highly sophisticated tourbillon and minute repeater complication with a […]

Hands-On With The Albishorn Marinagraph Paraíba Racing Fratello
Jun 7, 2026

Hands-On With The Albishorn Marinagraph Paraíba Racing

By now, many of you should know what Albishorn is. It’s a unique approach in the indie watch scene, the love child of industry veteran Sébastien Chaulmontet, with a clever concept. Albishorn timepieces ask, “What if?” The brand’s models are modern “reinterpretations” of vintage watches that never existed. Their Marinagraph Paraíba Racing is the latest […] Visit Hands-On With The Albishorn Marinagraph Paraíba Racing to read the full article.

The ABCs of Time – An Extensive Look at Modern Alternatives to the Lever Escapement Monochrome
Patek Philippe have lever escapement movements Jun 6, 2026

The ABCs of Time – An Extensive Look at Modern Alternatives to the Lever Escapement

There’s an old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That could easily apply to the lever escapement, a design so perfected that almost all mechanical watches rely on it today after its debut in 1754. It’s reliable, accurate and easily mass produced, and watchmakers like Rolex and Patek Philippe have lever escapement movements […]

Watch Review: The Ollech & Wajs Astrochron — A Dive Chronograph That Earns Its Saltwater Stripes Fratello
Jun 6, 2026

Watch Review: The Ollech & Wajs Astrochron — A Dive Chronograph That Earns Its Saltwater Stripes

There are timepieces that cosplay as tool watches, and then there are those that feel genuinely overbuilt for reasons completely unrelated to marketing. The Ollech & Wajs Astrochron belongs firmly in the latter camp. It’s a watch that seems to exist because somebody in Zurich genuinely thought a 500m-rated dive chronograph with a regatta timer […] Visit Watch Review: The Ollech & Wajs Astrochron — A Dive Chronograph That Earns Its Saltwater Stripes to read the full article.