419 articles · 55 videos found · page 15 of 16
Quill & Pad
Joshua Munchow highlights five pieces from some of our favorite independent brands that have just been released at Watches & Wonders 2021. From sapphire crystal-encased tourbillons and constant force fusée-and-chain-powered movements to stunning art pieces, these watches span genres and the spectrum of collector dreams.
SJX Watches
In the third quarter of its financial year – the three months to end-December 2020 – Richemont reported a modest recovery, with sales rising 5% over the same period a year before at constant exchange rates. This modest recovery was enough to moderate its results for the nine months to date, with revenue for the period down 14%, as compared to the drastic 38% plunge in sales for the first half of the year. Owners of over two dozen watch and jewellery brands including Cartier, IWC, and Panerai, the Swiss luxury conglomerate was buoyed by robust demand in Asia, its biggest regional market, as well as the Middle East and Africa. Combined, the two regions make up approximately half of Richemont’s global sales. The Asia Pacific enjoyed a 25% rise in sales, driven largely by exceptional demand in mainland China, where revenue rose an impressive 80% for the period, with sales in Taiwan also seeing a marked 29% increase – both consequence of a return to regular economic activity as the pandemic was brought under control, and the inability to travel and shop overseas. Paradoxically, the results in the Middle East were driven by a revival of tourist spending in Dubai as flights resumed, and domestic spending in Saudi Arabia where citizens cannot easily go abroad. This contributed towards a remarkable 27% increase in sales for the region. Elsewhere, sales too rose, albeit in smaller, single-digit increments. Bolstered by domestic demand, sales in the Americas rose by 3%. Jap...
SJX Watches
Grand Seiko has progressively introduced a diverse line up of watches to mark its 60th anniversary, ranging from a remake of the vintage 3180 to the heavily jewelled 8 Days to the T0 Constant Force Tourbillon, while also opening the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi production facility. Now the brand has finally reached the last of it anniversary watches with the Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Caliber 9SA5 Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours SLGH003. Although the 60th anniversary watches are numerous, the most significant was the Hi-Beat 80 Hours SLGH002, which was powered by the newly-developed 9SA5, the first of a new generation of movements that will underpin the Grand Seiko collection. The SLGH002 was available only in 18k yellow gold and correspondingly pricey, but now the movement is available in the all-steel SLGH003. Initial thoughts From the perspective of being a more affordable version of the yellow-gold SLGH002, the SLGH003 is appealing. It’s still an expensive watch – the retail price is US$9,700 – but a lot less than the US$43,000 of the gold model. But from the perspective of it being one of several anniversary editions, many of which share the same dial colour, it is less appealing. That is especially so given that the 9SA5 movement will inevitably be made available in regular-production models that will probably cost a bit less. So if the colour and design is a big draw, then the SLGH003 is a buy. If not, just wait for the next one. Anniversary livery The SLGH003 h...
Time+Tide
Girard-Perregaux was established in 1856 in the watchmaking town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, thanks to the marriage of Constant Girard and Marie Perregaux. The workshops origins were actually as early as 1791, but were not acquired by Girard-Perregaux completely until 1906. Though its history and heritage is in line with brands such as Patek Philippe (1839), … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The dark horses of 2020 are Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato Infinity Editions in 38mm and 42mm appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Hodinkee
The most obsessive exercise in constant force ever to come down the pike.
Deployant
Bernhard Lederer introduces a new Central Impulse Chronometer using a natural escapement with two 10-second constant-force mechanisms.
Revolution
CEO of Girard-Perregaux, Patrick Pruniaux, helps bring Revolution through the grand tale of the brand’s revolutionary take on the Constant Escapement.
Hodinkee
A closer look at the brand's constant force escapement.
SJX Watches
Hong Kong’s political unrest has resulted in the first fall in annual profits at the Swatch Group since 2018. The world’s biggest watchmaking group, which owns brands like Omega and Longines, just announced its 2019 results, showing declines in both sales and profits. Net profit fell 13.7%, while sales declined 1.8% at constant exchange rates, or 2.7% at current rates, to 8.24 billion francs. The drops in profit and sales were primarily due to a drastic contraction of its business in Hong Kong – a city with a population of just 7.4 million – where Swatch Group owns over 90 retail stores, largely catering to shoppers from the China. Sales in Hong Kong for the second half of 2019 fell by 200 million francs. While Hong Kong was the key driver of the decline, it was not the only one. The luxury watch business in general is suffering from anaemic growth, which is also evidenced by the watch division results at diversified luxury groups like LVMH and Kering. On a more positive note, Swatch Group has managed to fulfil its stated aims of reducing operating expenditure and thinning inventory. Operating expenses dipped about 6%, while operating cash flow rose 30% in 2019. And after several consecutive years of growth, the group’s inventories declined by 1% in 2019, to a still-substantial 6.85 billion francs at cost. It’ll be a slow 2020… With Swatch Group predicting the situation in Hong Kong will continue to be “challenging” in 2020, it is in a weaker positio...
Revolution
The Watch – A Twentieth Century Style History serves both the newbie and the seasoned enthusiast; a book you’ll keep at hand for constant referral.
SJX Watches
Swiss watchmaking groups Richemont and Swatch Group just announced their first quarter and six-month results for 2019 respectively, with each going in opposite directions. Owner of brands like Cartier, IWC and Panerai, Richemont saw growth across most segments and regions. Overall sales were up 12% at constant exchange rates, with every region growing in the low teens save for the Middle East and Africa. Sales in Asia grew 10%, led by China, where demand is up due to lower taxes locally on luxury goods and more stringent checks on travellers importing items bought overseas. Most notable was the performance of its online channels, namely luxury fashion mall Yoox Net-a-Porter (YNAP), pre-owned watch merchant Watchfinder, and to a lesser extent. That growth is from a low base of comparison: last year’s first quarter for each platform was only two and one month respectively. That being said, online sales are still substantial, rising to 50% to €648m, almost equal to the €698m of sales in the Americas as a whole. The group’s watchmaking brands, which include A. Lange & Söhne and Vacheron Constantin, saw overall sales dip 2%. This was attributed to a reduction in the number of sales channels as well as reduced orders of new product by retailers. Up in Biel, where the Swatch Group has its headquarters, half-year sales were down 3.7% at constant exchange rates, to 4.07 billion Swiss francs. Net profit followed suit, shrinking 11.3% to 415m francs. For the full year, howe...
Hodinkee
A new tourbillon from Andreas Strehler is the latest incarnation of his unique constant force mechanism.
Deployant
Zenith extends their Defy line of avant garde watches with a constant force fusee and chain system - introducing the Zenith Defy Fusee Tourbillon.
Time+Tide
Even though the fine watch business might seem like a perpetual, slow-moving beast, it is one of constant, consistent progress. And as the mechanical movements improve and add things like silicon into the mix, it becomes obvious that they’re built to last longer than ever. The other side of that coin is a longer warranty … ContinuedThe post NEWS: Jaeger-LeCoultre now offers an 8-year warranty, the longest of all major brands appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
In the constant cycle of new releases, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that watches are machines built to last for generations - with a little regular care and love. And while you and I might be there obsessing over the year’s hottest release, or wondering what’s coming next, Omega takes a longer … ContinuedThe post INSIGHT: Omega’s watchmaking in the modern age appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
Ulysse Nardin unveils the first self-winding Freak watch at SIHH 2018 with the all new Freak Vision featuring the Ulysse Nardin Anchor Constant Escapement.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Mike and Kaz talk shop with some of the early Baselworld 2017 releases that've been coming out... surprisingly they're quite excited about a few of them! In particular Kaz is super into the new rederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture - so much so that he even chokes on his thin mints (you heard me). On the flip side, the newest Rolex Sea-Dweller has the snobs perplexed as hell.
Time+Tide
One of the perks of what we do is the almost constant flow of extraordinary promotional gifts that come with the territory. These high-quality items are rarely, if ever, available to the public. Until now. We have chosen the best and the brightest from this year’s fairs and carefully packed them into a stylish duffel bag, … ContinuedThe post COMPETITION: Win a duffel bag packed full of rare, interesting and valuable watch-related items appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
The Swedish silversmith Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe lived a life of unconstrained abandon, with failed marriages and celebrity friends, but the one constant was her beautiful, understated designs that continue to be produced after her death in 2004.
Deployant
The new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony collection is upgraded from its predecessors with a more modern look. Keeping most things constant, one major facelift is the larger case size, coming in at 42 mm. The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony 42mm is available in 18 K white gold, pink gold and platinum (slate dial).
Deployant
Review of the Bulgari L'Ammiraglio del Tempo Minute Repeater with Detente Escapement and Constant Force. Hands on analysis and explanations on how it works.
Revolution
One of the most intriguing new watches shown at Baselworld begins arriving at local retailers this month. It’s the Ulysse Nardin Anchor Tourbillon, featuring the new constant force Ulysse Anchor Escapement. It’s probably safe to say that Ulysse Nardin is the undisputed king when it comes to the innovative use of new materials in watch […]
Revolution
Girard-Perregaux came to Basel this year with a more classically implemented Constant Escapement L.M in Rose Gold, the Tri-Axial and the Neo-Tourbillon. Listen to CEO, Michele Sofisti on more about this innovative trio of watches.
Revolution
The standout novelty for A. Lange & Söhne at SIHH 2014, the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “Terraluna” is a complicated watch that features a constant force 14 day power reserve, a regulator style dial and the trademark Big Date. The real surprise though is on the back of the watch, with the beautiful and logical […]
Revolution
Linde Werdelin is not your average Haute Horlogerie brand. Their constant path towards innovation combined with a very personal customer approach has not only let to some amazing watches over the years, but was also resulted in a customer base that would make many other Haute Horlogerie-brands green of envy. The reason for this is […]
Revolution
Watches are a constant reminder of our own mortality. Every tick we hear, will never come back and inevitable bring us closer to the end, whatever that may be. Even one of the most successful add campaigns ever launched by a watch brand is referring to this; You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You […]
Revolution
Materials used in Formula One™ inspired the cases of the Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium and Ingenieur Dual Time Titanium. Technically speaking, too, the two timepieces are ideal for the motorsport’s premier discipline. While the Double Chronograph records lap times, the Dual Time helps to keep track of the time during the racing season despite constant […]
Revolution
The Logical One features a triple patent-pending flat chain-and-fusee style constant force system developed by Romain Gauthier. He was in Singapore last week to present this amazing watch to collectors and members of the media. The Constant force system ensures more reliable and accurate timing for this timepiece. A standard fusse chain design uses muti-layer […]
Revolution
Logical One features a triple patent-pending Romain Gauthier flat chain-and-fusee style constant force system with ruby chain links, ergonomic push button winding system, dial-side visible balance, mainspring barrel with sapphire inserts, plus a 60-hour power reserve indicator. For more information, please visit http://www.montres-rg.com/logical-one/
Revolution
“I’ve heard tell what you imagine sometimes comes true” – Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Of all the complicated watches I’ve owned or worn - despite the varying claims of their makers that their dual oscillators, tourbillons, double tourbillons, resonance, triple tourbillons, constant-force mechanism, chain and fusée, ultra-light honeycomb baseplates and so on, […]
Question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Drop a note.