Hodinkee
Hands-On: The Chopard L.U.C XPS And L.U.C Qualité Fleurier
A comparison of two solid new additions to Chopard's dressy high horology lineup.
Results for Plasma High-Tech Ceramic
3,312 articles · 311 videos found · page 63 of 121
Hodinkee
Monochrome
First Look – Three New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 41mm
Audemars Piguet powerfully demonstrates the theory that “two is better than one” in the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, a coveted collector’s model with two balance wheels for increased chronometric precision and viewing pleasure. Following the recently released 37mm tone-on-tone gold version, AP proposes a trilogy of 41mm models in steel, black ceramic and […]
Worn & Wound
Our Summer Sale is Kicking Off!
We’ve just started our Fourth of July sale and can’t wait for you to browse the site and get your hands on the latest and greatest from your favorite brands. With discounts as high as 25%, you’re sure to find the next part of your collection. But that’s not all to look forward to. In addition to the limited time deals and free domestic shipping, we’ve activated some great Gift With Purchase offers this Holiday. Whether you’ve had your eyes on that Oris or want to add a next-level G-SHOCK to your collection, here are three items to sweeten your purchase. We’ve just started our Fourth of July sale and can’t wait for you to browse the site and get your hands on the latest and greatest from your favorite brands. With discounts as high as 25%, you’re sure to find the next part of your collection. But that’s not all to look forward to. In addition to the limited time deals and free domestic shipping, we’ve activated some great Gift With Purchase offers this Holiday. Whether you’ve had your eyes on that Oris or want to add a next-level G-SHOCK to your collection, here are three items to sweeten your purchase. The post Our Summer Sale is Kicking Off! appeared first on Worn & Wound.
Worn & Wound
Oris Releases a New Divers Sixty-Five with a “Forest Green” Dial
Another week, another green Oris Divers Sixty-Five. Just six days ago, Oris unveiled what could possibly be the ideal, enthusiast focused version of the Divers Sixty-Five. That model has a versatile 38mm case, the brand’s high-spec manufacture movement, no date, and a dial in a color that’s very much of the current moment. The new(er) reference has some on-the-surface similarities, but the details will likely make this one appeal to a very different customer. That’s part of what makes Oris such a compelling brand for both new and old enthusiasts and collectors, though – there’s an incredible variety, and truly something for every taste, even within a single collection. What we have here is a 40mm Divers Sixty-Five with a green dial that Oris says is inspired by the dense forests that surround the company’s original factory in Hölstein. The tone here has a subtle fumé effect, reading as a light, almost pastel green at the dial’s center, transitioning into something more lush and quite a bit darker at the outer edges. With the slightly larger case, we also get a date at the 6:00 position, a function of the Oris Calibre 733 movement that powers the watch. This movement is a rebadged Sellita and offers 41 hours of power reserve. Oris deserves credit, I think, for continuing to produce interesting variants of the Divers Sixty-Five with this more affordable but completely respectable workhorse caliber. Many brands, after introducing a new caliber family like ...
SJX Watches
Business News: LVMH Acquires Clockmaker L’Epée 1839
Known for its three-dimensional clocks ranging from the Batmobile to a Chanel sculpture, L’Epee 1839 has carved out a niche for itself as the clockmaker to leading watch and luxury brands. Now it becomes part of LVMH, the luxury conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, and TAG Heuer. The acquisition expands the portfolio of the LVMH Watches Division to encompass an entirely new product category that is small but lucrative and also high profile. Clocks are increasingly a must-have offering for major luxury brands. One of L’Epee’s most recent creations was the Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro clock (pictured above). Another of L’Epee’s creations, the Tiffany Taxi. Image – Tiffany & Co. Business as usual LVMH has acquired the parent of L’Epee, Swiza, which also makes clocks under the Swiza and Matthew Norman brands. Arnaud Nicolas, who has been chief executive and creative director of L’Epee since 2009, will continue leading the company. Despite the change in ownership, the clockmaker’s work for other brands, which have included MB&F; and Ulysse Nardin, will continue after the acquisition. However, L’Epee will certainly work with more brands in the LVMH stable, having already created clocks for Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Hublot. “L’Epée has initiated a number of watchmaking partnerships that we will maintain and develop with Arnaud Nicolas [chief executive and creative director of L’Epee],” says Frédéric Arnault, the chairman of LV...
Video
Rolex Hate and possibly the worst Cartier watch ever.
Time for a Q&A! Thanks to everyone who sent in their questions! If you want to have one of your questions featured in my next episode, make sure to follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my channel to not miss out on...
Quill & Pad
Out of Left Field – an Albanian Watch: “Primordial Passion” Unique Piece by Pirro Artistic Jewelry featuring 12 Sculpted Folk Dancers
When you think of Albania, a small Balkan country on the Adriatic and Ionian seas north of Greece, it's likely that, 1. You can't remember if/when you last thought of Albania and 2, If you did, you weren’t thinking high-end artistic watchmaking. Pirro Artistic Jewelry has a mission to change that.
Deployant
New: Bell & Ross revamps the BR 03 Diver (hands-on commentary)
Bell & Ross revamps the BR 03 Diver series with three novelties in steel and two in ceramic cases. Press Release with hands-on commentary in italics.
SJX Watches
Paradise Found: Exploring Van Cleef & Arpels’ Automatons
In 1906, Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, united not only in matrimony but also in an unbridled passion for the art of jewellery, laid the foundations of what would become Van Cleef & Arpels (VC&A;). As the firm grew in stature and acclaim, it became clear that the founders’ vision extended beyond the realm of high jewellery. Like other storied makers before them, such as the renowned house of Fabergè, they ventured into the worlds of objet d’art and horology, sometimes blending the two, where the measuring of time transcended the ordinary and entered the realm of the extraordinary. The Varuna model The objects crafted by VC&A; during the early decades of the 20th century extend beyond conventional boundaries, offering a canvas for fulfilling unusual special orders. One such emblematic example is the scale model of the Varuna, a yacht commissioned by Eugene Higgins, a New York millionaire at the turn of the last century. In enamelled gold, the vessel gracefully rests on a sea of sculpted jasper mounted on an ebony base. Its funnel is an aesthetic marvel and its bell, functional, echoing the era’s sophisticated craftsmanship. Although the jewellery house has long since passed into the ownership of Swiss luxury group Richemont, at its heart lies the same philosophy that imagines the world as it should be - a paradise in the universal sense - one overflowing with happiness and boundless imagination. This has shaped the whimsical, elegant collections of the brand...
Worn & Wound
Just A Minute With The Citizen Series8 890
With a history that dates back to the founding of the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918, Citizen Watch Co. was formally established in 1930 with the goal of creating high-quality yet accessible timepieces for the Japanese market. Headquartered in Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan, Citizen is one of the world’s largest and most vertically-integrated watch manufacturers. With a history that dates back to the founding of the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918, Citizen Watch Co. was formally established in 1930 with the goal of creating high-quality yet accessible timepieces for the Japanese market. Headquartered in Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan, Citizen is one of the world’s largest and most vertically-integrated watch manufacturers. The post Just A Minute With The Citizen Series8 890 appeared first on Worn & Wound.
Time+Tide
Timing Lamborghini hot laps with the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Revuelto Flyback Chronograph
Jamie puts the pedal to the metal with Roger Dubuis' latest chronograph, a collaboration with high-end car marque Lamborghini.The post Timing Lamborghini hot laps with the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Revuelto Flyback Chronograph appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Is the Bovet Dimier Récital 27 a world timer, GMT, or better than both?
Buffy figures out whether the Bovet Récital 27 is the ultimate high-end travel watch.The post Is the Bovet Dimier Récital 27 a world timer, GMT, or better than both? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
New releases from Longines, De Bethune, Louis Vuitton and more
This was a big week for watch releases, with high-profile motorsports-inspired watches and yet more MoonSwatch variants.The post New releases from Longines, De Bethune, Louis Vuitton and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
10 of the best watches to taste the rainbow (from US$160 to price upon request)
Rainbow watches are usually associated with high price tags and coloured gems, but our ten of the best start at just $160.The post 10 of the best watches to taste the rainbow (from US$160 to price upon request) appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
Introducing – New Colours and Materials for the Singer Reimagined 1969 Chrono and 1969 Timer
Singer Reimagined, founded by Rob Dickinson of Singer Vehicle Design fame and Marco Borraccino, a watch designer, raced into the watch world with the Track 1, an incredible 1970s-inspired chronograph with a high-end movement designed by watch wizard Jean-Marc Wiederrecht (Agenhor). Capitalising on the profound ties between petrol heads and cog heads, Singer Reimagined is […]
Fratello
Introducing: The Breitling SuperOcean Rainbow And 46mm Super Diver Editions
Breitling sets the mood for summer with two colorful rainbow SuperOceans in 36mm and 42mm cases. The 42mm stainless steel version has rainbow-shaded hands and indices and is available with striking rubber straps. Conversely, the 36mm rainbow option has a steel case with an 18k red gold bezel grip and white ceramic inlay. The 46mm […] Visit Introducing: The Breitling SuperOcean Rainbow And 46mm Super Diver Editions to read the full article.
Worn & Wound
Seiko Expands their Astron Range with a Pair of Limited Editions
Seiko has recently released two references in their Astron GPS Solar collection. Both models, highlighting the beauty of the night sky, showcase not only the ever-evolving design elements of Seiko, but also the technical prowess of the Japanese brand. First on the list is the Seiko Astron SSH157J1, which has a classic design where the color choices for this watch can really pop. The titanium case is offset by a black ceramic bezel which, in turn, is complemented by the transparent light-blue molded dial, designed to reflect the starry sky and changes depending on the wearer’s wrist position. The watch is equipped with a dual-curved sapphire crystal, providing clarity and scratch resistance. And at 43.3 mm, it’s a watch with presence that would still be great as part of your daily rotation. In contrast, the Seiko Astron SSJ027J1 is a bit more contemporary. Geometric cases have become more popular over the years and this reference is no exception, showing how a new design can be eye-catching without looking too ostentatious. The SSJ027J1 combines the same colorway as the SSH157J1 (titanium, light-blue, and black) in a more subtle way. This watch clocks in at 41.2mm, giving it some presence on the wrist as well. The SSH157J1 is powered by the Caliber 5X53 GPS Solar movement, which means the watch can adjust to the exact time anywhere in the world using GPS signals that the watch connects to throughout the day. The watch also features a perpetual calendar, automatic time...
Worn & Wound
The Fratello x Jacques Bianchi “Night Diver” Has Arrived, Complete with a Fully Lumed Dial
Jacques Bianchi Marseille has teamed up with Fratello Watches to create a new iteration of their already popular JB200 PoulPro. The new variant released today is now dubbed the JB200 PoulPro “Night Diver”, due to its new nocturnal layout consisting of a black PVD case and a fully lumed dial, both features being a first for Jacques Bianchi. Fratello is known for creating high quality and entertaining watch enthusiast content, and more specifically their infatuation with the Speedmaster that started with their founders creation of the #speedytuesday hashtag. Fratello has even collaborated with Omega due to the hashtag’s marketing success, and they’ve since branched out to create watch collaborations with many other watch brands just like this new Jacques Bianchi release. The JB200 diver was only just reissued in 2021, and it garnered some outstanding success due to demand from vintage watch lovers who were quite fond of the original from the early 1980s. The new “Night Diver” variant seen here is similar in many ways to the reissue, maintaining the 42mm case and 13.3mm thickness, as well as a lug to lug of 47mm. The JB200 is relatively well proportioned on the wrist, although it does have a slightly heftier appearance when comparing to the benchmark Rolex Submariner 124060 with a 12mm thickness. Much of the fit disadvantage is offset by the rest of the specs, especially the lug to lug measurement which can at times be more important than the actual case size....
SJX Watches
Seiko Introduces the King Seiko KS1969
After officially reviving the King Seiko brand in 2022, Seiko has introduced a new range of King Seiko models inspired by the vintage original from 1969. The King Seiko KS1969 features a stainless steel “C-shaped” case that’s a thin 9.9 mm high, along with a matching retro-style bracelet. It is available in four colourways, including grained purple and baby blue. Initial thoughts The standout feature of the KS1969 is its C-shaped case, directly inspired by that of the King Seiko 45KCM that debuted in, you guessed it, 1969. The model will be available in a variety of dial colours, including green and a striking “Edo purple”. Colours aside, the dials are straightforward, featuring applied markers and a date window at three o’clock. Judging by the press images, the font used for the date wheel is a close match to that of the original 45KCM, which is a thoughtful touch. Attention to detail was also paid to the date wheels that are catered to the dial colour: dark for the purple and green dials, while the blue and silver dials have white wheels. The slim, 39.4 mm case is paired with a multi-link bracelet with alternating brushed and polished links. The design is vintage inspired and evokes the popular “beads of rice” style. It has a somewhat generic “vintage” style, but the short links mean smaller-scale adjustability, enabling a good fit on most wrists. Inside the case is the cal. 6L35. Though considered accurate and reliable, the movement lacks the technic...
Monochrome
Value Proposition – Hamilton Brings Bright Colours to its Khaki Navy Scuba 40mm
As we’ve recently seen, colours are everywhere. From accessible to high-end timepieces, watchmakers dare to explore the entire colour spectrum, bringing boldness and fun to all sorts of watches. With summer right around the corner, it is the perfect time for Hamilton to add a splash of colours to one of its classics, a go-anywhere-do-anything […]
Fratello
Charles Leclerc Makes A Power Move - The F1 Star Invests In Chrono24
Formula 1’s rising star Charles Leclerc has proven himself a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack. But beyond the high-g world of Grand Prix, Leclerc harbors another passion - timepieces. This passion recently took a surprising turn with the announcement of his investment in Chrono24, the world’s leading online marketplace for luxury watches. […] Visit Charles Leclerc Makes A Power Move - The F1 Star Invests In Chrono24 to read the full article.
Worn & Wound
This Year’s Oris Hölstein Edition is Here
This year, Oris is celebrating its 120th anniversary with the release of a special edition timepiece, the Hölstein Edition 2024. Founded in the small village of Hölstein in 1904, Oris has built a legacy of creating high-quality mechanical watches with a devoted fan base that has been steadily growing over the last few years. This new release, a black-on-black Divers Sixty-Five, is an anniversary present Oris is giving itself, showing the subtlety and sophistication of the Swiss brand. The Hölstein Edition 2024 stands out with its distinctive design, marking the first time Oris has ventured into a full black-on-black aesthetic. The watch features a 40mm stainless steel case, bezel, and crown, all plated in black DLC. The hands, hour markers, dial text, date wheel, and lume are also rendered in black, complementing the overall monochromatic theme. The modern design is completed with a black rubber strap and a black-DLC-plated buckle. In terms of functionality and specifications, the Hölstein Edition 2024 is powered by the Oris Calibre 400. This in-house automatic movement boasts a five-day power reserve and superior anti-magnetic properties, ensuring reliable performance. As with previous Hölstein Edition releases, the caseback features an image of the Oris Bear, this time clad in swim trunks. The watch is water-resistant up to 10 bar (100 meters), making it suitable for various aquatic activities. Limited to just 250 pieces on a first-come-first-serve basis, the Höl...
Monochrome
First Look – The Discreet Luxury of the Chopard L.U.C 1860 Flying Tourbillon
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s dream of mechanical independence materialised in 1996 with the presentation of Chopard‘s first in-house movement known as calibre 1.96. Produced in Chopard’s Fleurier manufacture, the calibre was fitted inside the first L.U.C 1860 watch, writing a new chapter in the brand’s high-end watchmaking journey. Recognised as one of the finest ultra-thin micro-rotor automatic […]
SJX Watches
Hands On: Patek Philippe “Extra Special” Chronometer of Henry Graves Jr.
A patrician banker who gained posthumous fame in the 21st century for his watch collection, Henry Graves Jr. (1868–1953) is most famous for having owned the Graves Supercomplication, once the most complicated watch in the world, and also the most expensive watch ever when it sold at auction ten years ago. His reputation means the watches he once owned – there were not all that many of them but all were high quality – carry cachet. One such example is coming up for sale at Phillips New York auction. It’s a Patek Philippe “Extra Special” pocket watch that is top-quality chronometer, classical in style and functional, and bearing the all-important Graves family crest on the hinged back. Now a horological symbol Not rivals but great collectors Graves’ modern-day fame as a watch collector was due in part to the ostensible rivalry between him and James Ward Packard (1863-1928), the engineer who founded the eponymous automobile company and an equally accomplished collector of great watches. Though both were active during the same decades, more or less, the famous competition between the two was a story made up in the 1990s to market the Supercomplication. Graves outlived Packard by 25 years, and the latter was quite ill when Graves was at his collecting peak. Graves bought the “Extra Special” pocket watch here in 1925, the year Ward fell ill with cancer before dying just three years later. An example of Packard’s impeccable taste: he commissioned this Patek Ph...
Monochrome
Just Because – Audemars Piguet Unveils an Unprecedented Polychrome Camouflage Gold Alloy
Earlier this year, alongside multiple new watches such as the RO Perpetual with John Mayer and the Sand Gold alloy applied to an RO Openworked Tourbillon, Audemars Piguet also presented an unexpected and entirely novel multi-coloured ceramic called chroma ceramic featuring a polarising but cool camouflage pattern. In the same vein, Audemars Piguet now applies […]
SJX Watches
Seiko Revives the Credor Locomotive Designed by Gerald Genta
After having designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972), IWC Ingenieur (1974), and Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976), Gerald Genta also penned the Seiko Credor Locomotive in 1978. Now Seiko has revived the Credor Locomotive, preserving much of the original’s aesthetics but executing it in the brand’s proprietary “high-intensity” titanium and installing the new Credor CR01 automatic movement. The 1978 sketch of the Locomotive Initial thoughts Probably the last of the 1970s integrated bracelet sports watches Genta designed, the Locomotive is typical of his work of the period. In fact, the design is arguably an amalgamation of his better-known creations. Though it brings to mind his other work, the Locomotive is distinctive and definitely polarising. The Locomotive isn’t Genta’s best creation, but for some reason I like it. I’m familiar with the original and it has charm, despite being a little weird. I am sure the new limited edition will have far superior fit and finish, which will boost the intrinsic appeal. At the same time, the retail price of US$12,000 is competitive, especially when set against the Swiss competition like the IWC Ingenieur. Forward motion Named locomotive in the hope that it would propel Seiko forward, the Locomotive was designed by Genta at the request of Reijiro Hattori, a grandson of Seiko’s founder and uncle of current Seiko Group chairman Shinji Hattori. Genta’s original sketch for the Locomotive is dated 1978, and the watch was l...
Monochrome
Editorial – Are Watches a Good Investment?
Beyond their cultural and aesthetic value, luxury and high-end watches have increasingly become recognised as a viable investment asset class, offering the potential for both financial returns and personal enrichment. Indeed, watches can be a way to invest while enjoying the passion for beautiful objects. But the topic can be controversial. Just like any investment, […]
SJX Watches
Louis Erard Unveils Affordable “Grand Feu” Enamel Regulator
Though Louis Erard is best known for its high-profile collaborations with independent watchmakers like Konstantin Chaykin and Cédric Johner, the brand’s specialty is making interesting watchmaking accessible. Its signature complication is the regulator display complication, which has served as the foundation for several limited editions. The brand continues to do that with the Le Régulateur Grand Feu Enamel, a regulator wristwatch featuring a two-part fired enamel dial in striking ivory. Initial thoughts The new release has a subtle ivory dial produced in a traditional manner, resulting in a glossy, nuanced finish feel evocative of dials usually found on pricier timepieces. Its contemporary typeface and numerals complements minimalist style. Dial aside, the latest regulator is identical to the standard model and contains the same Sellita calibre. As a result, despite the elegant styling, it’s a chunky watch that’s almost 14 mm thick. Nevertheless, this keeps the Le Régulateur Grand Feu Enamel affordable at CHF4,400, which is strong value considering that most watches with such dials cost at least twice as much. Ivory enamel Louis Erard once again turned to Donzé Cadrans, the enamel dial specialist owned by Ulysse Nardin, for this grand feu enamel dial. Unsurprisingly Donzé was also the supplier for the ivory enamel dial in Excellence Email Grand Feu in 2021. The time-only Excellence Email Grand Feu The production of grand feu enamel dials has a high rejection...
Deployant
New: HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda
The HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda is HYT's exclusive high complication creation. Limited to just eight pieces, the HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda is a collector's dream, priced at CHF 355,000. It represents the pinnacle of HYT's horological achievements and is a bold statement piece for any aficionado.
Quill & Pad
Interview with Parmigiani CEO Guido Terreni on the Raison d’Etre of the new Toric: the Art of Dressing
Since taking over as CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier in 2021, Guido Terreni has leaned into the brand’s legacy as a maker of classic dress watches at the level of high watchmaking. Not by making a dramatic statement piece but by doubling down on refinement. Having reintroduced the Tonda, and picking up a GPHG award for it in 2022, Terreni turned his attention to the Toric, the golden-ratio proportioned flagship dress watch that was Michel Parmigiani’s first design.