Bell & Ross Green Lum is Crazy Genius

Why? Not because it does anything really different from the usual square cased BR models, but it’s the quirky all-over green lume. You have to admit it stands out. It’s in-your-face and OK yes, a bit gimmicky perhaps, but watch brands need to stand out from the pack in today’s crowded – and declining – market. It’s called the Green Lum too, which is kinda … Continue reading Bell & Ross Green Lum is Crazy Genius

TAG Carrera: Year of The Dragon Ltd Editions

The Chinese consumer market remains a very important one for Swiss watch brands and we can expect plenty of New Year themed watches, most limited editions with `lucky’ numbers or dragons on them, over the next few weeks. Say hello to two limited edition Carrera models. There’s a dragon character on the dial, with plenty of red being used in both the steel and 19K … Continue reading TAG Carrera: Year of The Dragon Ltd Editions

Handcrafted Meteorite Dial Tourbillon from Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant has a new tourbillon watch on sale, with a meteorite dial, plus a platinum case. It’s a true limited edition, with just 35 pieces being made, so not your usual Frederique Constant entry level watch. We love the understated grey tones on this 39mm wide watch, plus inside the tourbillon features all kinds of exquisite detailing and rare materials used. Some watches go … Continue reading Handcrafted Meteorite Dial Tourbillon from Frederique Constant

JLC Polaris Chronograph: Bespoke Luxury, Heritage Details

Jaeger leCoultre is one of those Swiss brands that many watch fans feel unsure about. Yes the Reverso is a classic art deco design, but would you buy one, especially now it costs over 11,000 euros for the entry level model? Nope, ten grand is better spent on something with more oomph and more resale value too. Then there’s the Master Control day date chrono, … Continue reading JLC Polaris Chronograph: Bespoke Luxury, Heritage Details

JLC Polaris Chrono: Fade to Grey

A new twist on the Jaeger-le-Coultre Polaris Chronograph features a gradient grey dial, which kinda reminds us of those old 1980s SLR camera filters used to add some Ingmar Bergman edginess to Car or Bike mag road tests. It’s nice, and some will ove its restraint. Maybe now is the era of the understated luxury Swiss watch? At 42mm across, with its rounded pushers and … Continue reading JLC Polaris Chrono: Fade to Grey

Limited Edition Baume & Mercier: Very Nice, But 17K Down The Drain

Don’t know why, but the modern Baume and Mercier brand has never floated my boat. Like Maurice Lacroix, most Baume & Mercier models always seem overpriced for what they offer, especially in terms of resale values on the pre-owned market. OK, a perpetual calendar is one of those Swiss features that impresses. Accuracy, precision, day/date features – like having an old school desk flip calendar … Continue reading Limited Edition Baume & Mercier: Very Nice, But 17K Down The Drain

Are Swatch Pulling Your Pants Down With the Blancpain Ocean Range?

Yes is the answer you’re looking for. OK, the Swatch-Omega Moonswatch thing was a sale success, queues in the streets, scalpers doubling their cash on eBay and Etsy etc. For a while. Try selling a Moonswatch now, especially that pooh brown one, see what the premium is. You see pulling the same stunt twice in watch marketing rarely works. In any event, the bio-OK, plastic, … Continue reading Are Swatch Pulling Your Pants Down With the Blancpain Ocean Range?

Ball’s Engineer EOD is a Tough All-Rounder

There’s a bunch of feelings you get if you drop an expensive watch. Dread, fearing the worst while looking at the second hand to see if its still ticking, then usually a bit of self-loathing anger for being so clumsy assuming it now has a big scratch on the crystal or bezel. But few of these emotions will be felt if you own a Ball … Continue reading Ball’s Engineer EOD is a Tough All-Rounder