677 articles · 6 videos found · page 11 of 23
Time+Tide
What's a hesalite crystal? Is Hardlex better than sapphire? And what's mineral glass? Buffy answers it all.The post Which crystal is best for you? The difference between sapphire, acrylic, and mineral glass appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Quill & Pad
In Ken Gargett’s opinion, Billecart-Salmon’s Cuvee Nicolas François is a great champagne, whatever the vintage, but from 2008, it is transcendent. The champagne is of a gleaming appearance, like cut crystal. One sniff and it is obvious we are dealing with something that is wonderfully complex, elegant, still fresh and impeccably balanced.
SJX Watches
Helmed by Pascal Raffy, Bovet is a small and independent brand that excels in timepieces that are ornate, original and eccentric – and often highly complicated. The modern-day philosophy of the brand echoes the brand’s origins in the 19th century when it was a leading purveyor of pocket watches to the Chinese market. This year, Bovet furthers its distinctive expression of watchmaking with the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two. Features an imposing but transparent sapphire case with a sloped, “writing desk” profile, the watch is equipped with a host of complications, from a flying tourbillon to a three-dimensional moon phase. And despite the name, Brainstorm Chapter Two is not just a sequel to the Brainstorm Chapter One, but is more like a newly-conceived watch. Initial thoughts Immediately eye-catching, the sapphire case has a very unconventional inclined shape. Introduced in 2016, the form takes after the traditional sloped-top writing desk and is now a signature Bovet design. While transparent sapphire cases are not new – they are in fact commonplace today with watches with several launched this year, including the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire and the Chanel J12 X-Ray – the Bovet case is unusual in form. It is not entirely sapphire, however, and instead made up of a titanium frame of the case back and lugs, with the sapphire case middle and front mounted on the frame. The titanium case back and its pins that secure the sapphire case middle Though fashi...
Hodinkee
Crystal clear.
Time+Tide
When Hublot released two takes on sapphire Big Bangs last year – the Unico Sapphire and the All Black version – we suspected that wouldn’t be the last we’d see of the clear case material. Lo and behold, our hunch has proved correct with the release of the Big Bang Unico Magic Sapphire. Compared to 2016’s … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The appeal of Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Magic Sapphire is crystal clear appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
Introducing the new Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Super Sport Sapphire, a stunning drivers watch that will make an impact on the wrist!
WristBuzz
The follow-up to the PH1000M doubles the depth rating and adds a Sea Turtle Conservancy partnership to the mix
Worn & Wound
Today, Omega has unveiled a new Speedmaster that their social media team has been teasing aggressively for the past few weeks. They promised a “tiny device” delivering a “massive change,” and to that end the announcement today is really more about mechanics than a new watch. There is a new watch, of course, but to the extent that today’s news excites you, it will almost certainly be a result of a very small component that Omega has completely rethought. The Speedmaster Super Racing is the first timepiece from Omega to feature what they’re calling “Spirate” technology. Spirate is essentially a new method of movement regulation by way of a small knob connected to the balance that allows a watchmaker to adjust the rate in increments down to the tenth of a second. Omega claims that the end result is a movement that’s accurate to within 0/+2 seconds per day. Again, this is a mechanical movement that is, yes, METAS certified to be within two seconds per day. That’s Spring Drive level accuracy, without the benefit of quartz derived regulation. Assuming Spirate works as advertised (there’s no reason not to assume that given Omega’s proficiency in making highly accurate movements at a large scale) this is an enormously impressive accomplishment. How does it work, exactly? Omega had to develop an entirely new silicon balance spring that can be adjusted for stiffness via a mechanism connected to the balance bridge (easily visible through the sapphire caseb...
Fratello
The Lapinist Watch Studio is a well-known source for case restorations of vintage Grand and King Seiko watches. Aside from his work, Kamil Rybarczyk, the Lapinist himself, also handcrafts display backs for these watches. Today, we’re pleased to report that his newest project is ready, and it should be sweet music to the ears of […] Visit The Lapinist Launches Sapphire Crystals For Vintage Grand Seiko And King Seiko Models to read the full article.
WatchAdvice
The Hublot Square Bang Unico Sapphire isn’t just a watch. It’s a crystal-clear showcase of bold design and cutting-edge engineering. From the sapphire case to the architectural Unico movement inside, it is a timepiece that redefines transparency and demands attention on the wrist in a way few others can! What We Love Sapphire case is lightweight, transparent and beautifully executed, turninig the watch into a wearable sculpture The Unico 2 (HUB1280 movement) is one of the best chronograph movements in the modern watch market. Despite being 42mm, it wears surprisingly well thanks to the short lugs and rubber strap, and the wrist presence is unparralelled. What We Don’t Circular movement on a square case is visually noticeable in sapphire form, slightly breaking harmony. The transparency of the subdial makes the date harder to read compared to other models in the Square Bang Unico collection. Transparent rubber strap may show ageing or discolouration over time if exposed to strong sunlight. Overall Rating: 8.9 / 10 Value For Money: 9.0/10 Design: 8.5/10 Wearability: 9.0/10 Build Quality: 9.0/10 Few watches turn heads quite like a sapphire-cased Hublot. With the Square Bang Unico Sapphire, Hublot takes transparency to new heights, transforming the bold square chronograph into a mechanical sculpture of light and precision. A square-shaped chronograph is rare in watchmaking, with the most iconic being the TAG Heuer Monaco. But as we know, with Hublot, they simply refu...
Hodinkee
From vintage acrylic to modern sapphire, there's more than meets the eye (or doesn't) when it comes to the watch crystal.
SJX Watches
Bell & Ross has long featured the skull on its watches, a motif derived from its military-inspired designs. Modelled on the skull emblem often used by airborne units, the B&R; skull watch has been refined over the years, with the latest being an all-ceramic wristwatch incorporating an automaton. For Only Watch 2021, the watchmaker has created the BR 01 Cyber Skull Sapphire, a vivid, orange-tinted crystal skull encased in clear sapphire. It’s entirely incongruent with the brand’s typical no-no-nonsense aesthetic, but strikingly upbeat. Initial thoughts The original Cyber Skull is interesting for its materials and form movement featuring an automaton, making it a good base for the Only Watch edition, which departs from the all-black look in the direction of attractive and quirky. Bell & Ross didn’t disappoint in its Only Watch endeavour. Clean, contemporary, and clear, the sapphire version is completely different from its past skull watches. The watch has a bright feel, with the orange being bringing levity (and echoing the colours of Only Watch 2021). And it’s a big plus that the watch is technically unusual. While most B&R; watches are powered by off-the-shelf ETA or Sellita movements (which, to be fair are unfailingly reliable), the Cyber Skull Sapphire is equipped with a proprietary movement in the shape of a skull. It’s always the most valuable watches offered by high horology brands that get the most attention at Only Watch, so the more affordable watches in ...
Deployant
Discover the Henri Grandjean Magician Atrivm in red and green sapphire. Explore the CHF 990,000 mysterious triple-axis tourbillon watch specs.
Fratello
There is a moment in every watch enthusiast’s journey when admiration turns into curiosity. You stop merely wearing watches and begin to wonder what lies beneath the dial, behind the polished steel, and under the engraved case back. For me, that moment arrived with a vintage King Seiko 44-9990. The King Seiko 44-9990 already occupies […] Visit Buying A Watch Tool Kit And Fitting A Sapphire Case Back To A King Seiko 44-9990 to read the full article.
Time+Tide
ArtyA’s latest sapphire Purity Tourbillon Sport Edition lets owners change the watch’s colour through interchangeable gaskets and straps.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Seiko's Astron 5X63 gets two colorful summer limited editions, Crystal Pink and Crystal Green, each limited to 1,200 pieces.
Fratello
Shortly after Seiko released four revamped Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronographs for its 145th anniversary, the Japanese brand drops two fresh new summer “flavors.” No, they’re not pistachio and raspberry ice cream —although, come to think of it, matcha (green tea) and sakura (cherry blossom) ice cream would make more sense — but instead, Crystal […] Visit Introducing: The Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph In Crystal Green And Crystal Pink Summer “Flavors” to read the full article.
Monochrome
Zeitwinkel, founded in 2006, has quietly built a solid reputation among collectors in just two decades with its in-house movements and distinctive use of German silver. One of its defining and, by now, one of the most popular pieces, the 273° Saphir Fumé, introduced in 2016, combined a smoked sapphire dial with the automatic calibre […]
Fratello
Did you know that during the Christmas period, salmon consumption rises sharply? A substantial share of annual sales happens in December, particularly in Europe. In fact, around 25% of all smoked salmon is sold during this time. And with that in mind, look at the new Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Salmon. The […] Visit Introducing: The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Salmon to read the full article.
Monochrome
Armin Strom’s celebrated Gravity Equal Force series expands with an elegant twist, the Ultimate Sapphire Salmon. Continuing the brand’s exploration of colour and transparency, this latest edition pairs technical mastery with artisanal finesse, featuring a hand-guilloché salmon mainplate and the brand’s innovative constant-force calibre, bringing new vibrancy to one of modern horology’s most inventive movements. […]
Time+Tide
Sapphire-sculpting artisans ArtyA have taken the wraps off a pair of extra special full-sapphire dive watches for Dubai Watch Week 2025.The post ArtyA wows Dubai Watch Week 2025 with a world-first four-colour sapphire diver appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
A massive 16mm central tourbillon shrink-wrapped in some mad bit of colour-changing sapphire? It could only be an ArtyA.The post ArtyA’s new Purity Wavy Central Tourbillon is a mesmerising merry-go-round of crazy sapphire appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
In the words of Daniel Arsham, “My work is about collapsing time. You’re not quite sure if it’s an object from the past or the future.” The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is a creation from the man who wants to confuse you and have you start wondering from what era this watch […] Visit Introducing: The Fluid Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire to read the full article.
Time+Tide
Unveiled at Geneva Watch Days 2025, this Bianchet claims the title of the thinnest fully sapphire tourbillon watch in the world.The post Bianchet’s new UltraFino is here to break records with a new full sapphire tourbillon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
Sapphire-cased watches have crept up on me lately. I used to think of them as fragile showpieces, destined for safes rather than wrists, but something has shifted. It probably started with the ArtyA Luminity Wavy collection, which made me stop and think about how sapphire can do more than just look flashy. Now, with Bianchet’s […] Visit Introducing: The Bianchet UltraFino Sapphire - A Transparent Take On The Ultra-Thin Tourbillon to read the full article.
Deployant
Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue. Glacial blue guilloché main plate crafted by independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
Time+Tide
Sapphire cases are still a rarity in watchmaking, but what's the difference between a five-figure and seven-figure example?The post 6 of the best sapphire watches appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
The new Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Rose Gold adds a refined, luxurious reference to the brand’s Gravity Equal Force line. First introduced in 2019, the collection debuted with the groundbreaking Gravity Equal Force System 78, the world’s first automatic wristwatch with a stop-work declutch mechanism and Geneva cross inside the barrel, designed […]
Fratello
In its original form, the Amida Digitrend is already quite an impressive wristwatch. Its unusual shape and size make it the perfect conversation starter. And that’s not even considering the dial with the sapphire prism and the jump-hour module behind it. Well, get ready for an even bolder iteration because here’s the new Amida Digitrend […] Visit The New Amida Digitrend Open Sapphire Takes Its Hood Off For Summer to read the full article.
Fratello
It will come as no surprise to our regular readers that I love vintage watches. Some of you may remember that I recently purchased a vintage King Seiko ref. 45-7001 45KS. Now, some months into owning that vintage King Seiko, I have decided to modify it with a sapphire case back. After some research, I […] Visit Modifying Your Vintage Watch With A Sapphire Case Back to read the full article.
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