Do you love that 1970s style of watch manufacturing, with big bold TV dials and cases? Some, like the Zenith El Primero from that era, are now rising in value as people discover the Seventies Swagger they never really experienced first time around – since they weren’t even born..
Anyway, Glashutte have been feeling nostalgic so here are some details on their bright yellow, limited edition, 70s homage chrono, called the Panorama;
With its distinctive case this chronograph captures the essence of the design icons of the 1970s: Dynamic lines and flowing curves lend it an authentic and retro-modern character.
The dial was manufactured in-house and is coated entirely with yellow varnish. Super-LumiNova highlights on the hour and minute hands and on the appliques ensure optimal legibility in the dark as well.
A special sapphire crystal case back allows one to view the automatic movement Calibre 37-02, which has been finely finished. It features a column-wheel switch and was designed to be compact in order to ensure maximum stability.
It’s available with a leather strap or steel bracelet and the UK price is £12,600. Ouch.
Did Swiss watches cost the same as small cars in the 70s? No they did not, for example a Rolex Sub cost about $230 before local taxes in the early 70s. Even allowing for inflation that’s probably under two grand today – yep watches were cheap before everyone decided that buying a Rolex was a sign that you’d made it in life.
Hamilton has added a Camo variant to its Khaki range. The 45mm watch gets a NATO strap, plus beige and green colours on the dial and inner bezel. Here’s the word from Hamilton;
Designed with pilots in mind and built for a life of adventure, the Khaki Aviation X-Wind Automatic Chronograph flies through the crosswinds in a bold new guise, with camouflage patterns and new color variants extending across the dial, strap and case. Featuring an inner rotating bezel and an anti-magnetic Silicon hairspring, this high-performance piece has combat-chic looks and assertive style.
Verdict: You could lose a grand on this one in 3 months of ownership.
This is no entry level watch, it’s a hefty CHF2095 (£1930) and although it has rugged adventure watch looks, you could probably invest in a Breitling Navitimer if you like big watches, and expect to get 60-80% of the value back one day.
The same isn’t generally true of Hamilton watches, which are still not seen as true prestige or luxury watches by many collectors and posers alike. Don’t believe me? Just take a Hamilton Khaki with box n papers etc. to a pawnbroker or jeweller and see what they offer in cash, not as a PX value.
Ball keep on re-inventing their chronographs, with this latest one channelling the spirit of exploration and mountain rescue, plus offering the word `Pulsations’ on the bezel. You don’t see that every day.
The Roadmaster Rescue variant is a limited edition and offers the usual high quality Swiss engineering, fit n finish. Here’s the press info;
A purpose-built tool for critical search and rescue situations, the new Roadmaster Rescue Chronograph delivers extreme accuracy, easy readability and high functionality. Engineered with a patented pusher locking system, the chronograph function works in unison with the pulsometer scale to measure heart rate, while two illuminated sub-dial counters track elapsed time.
And for countdowns at all hours, the ceramic diving bezel features a bold micro gas tube inset. Vital functionality and versatile form that’s ready to venture wherever necessary.
The new Roadmaster Rescue Chronograph in green ceramic bezel insert is limited to 1,000 pieces each. Now available for pre-order until 4 August 2021 at an exclusive price, which is £1590.
MAY I TAKE YOUR PULSE?
The chronograph hand works in conjunction with the dial’s pulsometer scale – graduated for 15 pulsations – to quickly measure one’s heart rate. To operate: start the chronograph and count the person’s heartbeats. Stop the chronograph at the 15th beat. The hand will point to the scale and indicate the heart rate frequency per minute.
In addition to the pulsometer scale, the chronograph can track long periods of elapsed time: the sub-dial at 12 o’clock is a 30-minute counter, while the 6 o’clock sub-dial is a 12-hour counter.
There are black dial/bezel and blue dial/bezel options available too.
Orient is a sub-brand of mighty Seiko and sadly, they don’t seem to get the investment that the brand deserves, given its heritage. The latest Skeleton Star model, a tribute to the Star from 70s years ago is a case in point.
It actually looks like a Chinese clone, nothing like the original Star. Here’s the press info from Orient;
The new Skelton ( yep, they couldn’t even spell check skeleton) is featuring a new hand-wound movement with 70 hours of power reserve. The latest in-house 46-F8 series movements, feature longer power reserves of 70 hours, making them more practical than ever before.
The longer running time is achieved thanks to the new silicon escape wheel which is lighter and processed with higher accuracy. Beside, it has longer running time as well as a high accuracy of +15 to –5 seconds per day even with the ultimate skeletonisation.
The escape wheel visible through the watch’s skeleton structure uses Epson’s MEMS technology to control the film thickness at the nanometer level to adjust its light reflection, resulting in an eye-catching blue.
DUDE, DID YOU JUST SAY CROC LEATHER?
The vivid blue and a unique spiral shape evokes the Milky Way Galaxy, and the movement part at the nine o’clock position in the shape of a comet with two tails, symbolising the universe-inspired design theme. The model uses high-quality SUS316L stainless steel for the case, and comes with a hand-stitched, genuine crocodile leather strap.
Yes, they did say crocodile. In a woke era it is astonishing that Seiko-Orient think this won’t attract activists on social media keen to cancel their brand.
Classic Orient Star, with dial that changes from black to deep blue.
MISH MASH APPROACH
On the upside this 38mm watch has a sapphire crystal, front and back, but bafflingly it’s only got 50 metres of water resistance. So why not fit a Hardlex then?
70 hours of power is great but it’s hand-wound, mechanical, not auto. Again pointless. This mix of prestige features with some really dull aspects of the Star means it’s unlikely to attract many buyers. To be fair there are some better looking Star models in the range, including some with sub-sec dials that capture the early 50s spirit of the original. But this thing looks like a Thomas Earnshaw.
Casio has released two limited edition variants of its Frogman 200m dive watches. Here’s some details from Casio;
A first for the FROGMAN: an analog display. The over-sized dimensional index and hour and minute hands offer improved readability. Three dual-coil motors enable the hour, minute and world time hands to move rapidly so the wearer can switch modes with no delay.
YEAH, IT’S WATER RESISTANT
Carbon fiber reinforced resin is used for the case material, offering high strength and low absorbency. In addition, six screws securely fasten the metal ring that is press-fit to the glass. Enhanced water resistance is facilitated by the button shafts’ triple-gasket fittings.
You can time yourself underwater too; The hour and minute hands can be brought together as one at the start of a dive to indicate the diving time. The second hand moves forward or in reverse to indicate the status of dive time and surface interval measurements.
Sapphire crystal with a non-reflective coating offers high visibility and scratch-resistance. The Super Illuminator function lights up the watch face with high-intensity light, to ensure readability in the dark.
RADIO CONTROLLED TIMEKEEPING
Time correction is conducted by either Bluetooth® communications or standard time radio wave (Multi Band 6), depending on the circumstances. Reception of the most recent time zone and Daylight Saving Time information assures that the correct time is displayed at all times.
VERDICT
The two models start at £899, which is on par with many Indie brand 300m dive watches, featuring Sellita/Miyota movements, usually with steel bracelets, resin options. It isn’t as expensive as Swiss dive models and arguably offers more accurate timekeeping, plus bluetooth features. Add on a solar power cell, so no batteries to change for a decade or so, depending on use. Yes, the solar cell loses its ability to turn light into power over time, so you will need to replace the cell eventually – no energy is free.
We don’t dive, and you probably don’t either. But this is a go-anywhere watch that looks classless, cool and does its job in one lightweight chassis. You have to admire that striving for perfection, it’s a Japan thing.
Hublot is celebrating its association with the UEFA EURO 2020™ tournament by presenting the official timepiece of the UEFA EURO 2020™ European Championship – the Big Bang e connected watch – as well as a brand-new podcast.
Hublot is offering this one as a limited-edition of 1,000 pieces.
After a year-long postponement during the pandemic, for the first time in its history the UEFA EURO 2020™ European Championship will be held in 11 cities in 11 different countries. The bezel on the Big Bang e watch sports the colours of the flags of the 12 nations initially planned to host.
Aesthetically, it features the attributes of the brand’s iconic Big Bang model. For greater ergonomics, it is available in a 42 mm case in Black Magic, the spectacular polished black ceramic developed by Hublot technicians, which is water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres.
The sapphire crystal means the AMOLED high definition touchscreen is easy to use while, just like a mechanical watch, the push-button on the rotary crown is used to activate its functions.
It is fitted with a complex electronic module developed in partnership with other brands within the LVMH group. It operates on WearOS by Google software, which has been adapted and perfected to meet Hublot’s requirements, notably via an app specially dedicated to football which enables users to follow the competition in real time.
Amongst the features of this watch, in addition, of course, to following the timing of the matches with timekeeping, half-time, extra time and the end of the match, the Big Bang e also notifies the wearer of cards awarded, player substitutions, penalties and goals. There is also the option to view information on the team line-ups, the players’ rankings and their position on the field.
The watch is priced at £4800 in the UK. Kinda cheeky for a smartwatch we reckon, but Hublot has a devoted fanbase in the world of football, namely the overpaid Premier level players and their entourage, so shifting 1000 of these shouldn’t be too hard.
FLAG DOWNLOADS
Moreover, users will also be able to download, free of charge, dials in the colour of their country exclusively developed for the Big Bang e from the Google Play Store, an offer not compatible with other connected watches already available on the market.
In addition, as well as the magnificent rubber strap with titanium deployant buckle clasp supplied as standard, fans will have the opportunity to purchase other straps in the colours of their favourite teams. These will be easily interchangeable thanks to the famous one-click system developed by Hublot.
FREEBIES FOR REFEREES
For the UEFA EURO 2020™ European Championship, Hublot will be equipping all the referees officiating during the tournament with special Big Bang e Referee watches. This special version will help the refereeing body to manage the timekeeping of the matches and any extra time, and will be connected to Goal-line technology and the famous VAR video control system. The board used by the fourth official to show player substitutions will also be sporting Hublot colours.
In its drive to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, Hublot has pursued its exploration in every dimension of technology and so, from 12th May, is launching a podcast series called “Hublot Fusion Podcast”. Hosted by French sports broadcast journalist Anne-Laure Bonnet, these 12 episodes will feature interviews with footballing legends, as well as with friends and ambassadors of Hublot. The podcasts will focus on the 12 universal values of victory: solidarity, union, passion, commitment, inclusion, equality, friendship, justice, respect, fair play, tolerance and sharing.
In another major new initiative, 200 customers of the Big Bang e joining the Hublotista community will be given a non-fungible token (NFT) containing an excerpt from one of the episodes of the “Hublot Fusion Podcast”! These tokens were developed with the leading ETHEREUM software company : ConsenSys. The tokens strictly comply with the ERC-1155 standard, and their owners can exchange these tokens on platforms which are benchmarks in the world of NFTs, including OpenSea.
The 1,000 Hublot Big Bang e UEFA EURO 2020™ connected watches are available exclusively on the brand’s e-commerce platform www.hublot.com from May 12th until May 26th, and then in Hublot boutiques.
IWC Schaffhausen has launched a special Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition, branded “AMG”. The famous AMG initials denote high performance for every Merc fan so here’s the word from IWC on this new watch;
The first IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph in titanium is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement and features a carbon fibre dial. IWC unveiled the new edition during a webcast conversation with IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, Mercedes-AMG CEO Philipp Schiemer and shared brand ambassador and racing driver Maro Engel.
The long-standing collaboration between the Swiss luxury watchmaker and the performance and sports car brand Mercedes-AMG, is grounded in many common values, including the pursuit of technical perfection and uncompromising quality.
“The partnership between Mercedes-AMG and IWC has all the components that are needed for a successful and long-lasting collaboration. It’s very rare to come across a company and people with so many common interests and values.” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG.
Crafted from automotive engineering materials, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” (Ref. IW377903) is IWC‘s first 43mm Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph featuring the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre, as well as the first Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph with a case made of extremely light and scratch-resistant titanium. The Grade 5 titanium finish gives the watch its matte grey appearance, inspired by AMG‘s signature Selenite Grey Magno paint finish.
The dial features precisely woven carbon fibre, a material directly derived from AMG‘s aero components. These parts are produced in a complex process involving heat and pressure and are known for their remarkable lightness and rigidity. The raw material is continuous carbon fibres, which are processed on weaving machines into textile structures, giving the end product its characteristic woven “carbon look”.
The black carbon dial provides the perfect contrast to the silver chronograph sub-dials, reminiscent of motorsport instruments.
The all-around performance watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured calibre 69385, a robust and precise chronograph movement that enables stop time measurements of up to 12 hours. The chronograph function is controlled by a column wheel, an intricate component with two functional levels. The Mercedes-AMG logo is emblazoned on the tinted sapphire crystal case back. The timepiece is fitted with a black embossed calf leather strap with contrast stitching and folding clasp.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” was unveiled at a webcast hosted by Philipp Schiemer and Christoph Grainger-Herr. Both elaborated on their passion for racing, the values both brands share, and the sustainable future of watchmaking and mobility. They were joined by Maro Engel, brand ambassador of both brands, who brought in the perspective of a professional racing driver. The webcast can be watched via https://watches.iwc.com/amgwebcast.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” will be available for pre-order from 21st May online at IWC.com, through IWC boutiques and authorised retail partners. The timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and thus benefits from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.
Casio have released a jazzy Phoenix Rainbox G-Shock model which costs a cool grand. But is it cool?
This shimmering delight is based on the carbon MTG-B2000, with a Blue Phoenix-themed design. The Blue Phoenix is a legendary bird whose appearance is said to be a harbinger of good things to come, says Casio. Like the end of lockdowns and masks? Hmmm maybe.
Back to the Casio; The bezel and the case have separate structures. The double rainbow IP finish of the bezel gives it a two-tone pattern with horizontal gradation, while the metal frame of the case has vertical gradation, which creates the image of a crossed line.
The rainbow IP of this model creates distinctively unique colour patterns for each watch. The multi-colouring of the face matches the the bezel and case, while the navy blue semi-transparent band creates a further touch of elegance. That’s Casio talking by the way, this watch is no elegant rival to a Longines Heritage, let’s be honest.
A Bluetooth® communication function automatically connects with the G-SHOCK Connected app whenever the watch is in the vicinity of your phone, eliminating the need for button operations. The watch obtains accurate time information from an Internet-based time server for automatic time adjustment as you move between time zones. That’s great, so long as the Colonial Pipeline hackers don’t freeze the server of course.
MULTIBAND 6 automatically adjusts time settings based on reception of one of six calibration signals around the globe when you are within the range of a signal, even if connection with a phone is not possible, for accurate timekeeping no matter where your travels take you.
Basic features include high-brightness LED illumination, Dual Time, stopwatch, and more. Stable operation is ensured by a CASIO original Tough Solar charging system.
Ther eis a 24 hour stopwatch, plus this model has a sapphire crystal for extra scratch resistance. There’s a daily alarm function and a phone finder button too.
It is something you will love for its sheer blingy Prince-1999 album cover purpleness, or perhaps think it looks like a 1992 Custom Car magazine makeover on a MkII Capri. Our verdict? Invest £1000 in a decent Seiko dive, pre-owned TAG Carrera or maybe a Tissot 1973 if you really like something big case n quirky.
Nothing wrong with a G-Shock, but you really are paying top dollar for
Every luxury brand is now rushing to offset their carbon emissions, as ESG kicks in as a required part of company accounts and product policy. What is ESG? Environmental and Social Governance. That means profit is not the prime aim of any business, the objective is social good, sustainable production runs – as defined by activists and experts. Not the Board.
So Oris, like other watch brands is launching this Aquis special edition which helps preserving Wadden Sea habitat for future generations, which is a socially good thing. It also ticks a box on carbon offset too. Nice work.
The Oris Dat Watt is a limited edition model and it provides funds from each sale towards preserving the Waden Sea area of Northern Ntherlands/Denmark. Call it a green levy if you like, soon every product will have a green tax on it by law, so get used to the idea.
Great looking watch, so if you support the idea of `wilding,’ which is reserved nature areas in Europe where humans are largely restricted from entering, then Dat Watt (German dialect for the Wadden Sea) is a purchase that makes a difference.
Oris Dat Watt Limited Edition
TECH SPEC:
Case Multi-piece stainless steel case, unidirectional rotating bezel
Size 43.50 mm (1.713 inches)
Dial Gradient blue/grey Luminous material Hands and indices
with Super-LumiNova®
Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
Stainless steel screw-in security crown with crown protection
Bracelet Stainless steel metal bracelet, folding clasp with extension
Water resistance 30 bar (300 m)
Movement: Number Oris 761
Functions Centre hands for hours, minutes and seconds, centre hand moon phase, date window, instantaneous date, date corrector,
fine timing device and stop-second
Winding Automatic
Power reserve 38 hours
Special edition Supplied in a special presentation box
Swiss retail price CHF 2,450 (APPROX £1920)
Available May 2021
TAG has released a teal green dial edition of the Carrera chronograph because, well…it’s just a 2021 trend and all that. Green is the new blue when it comes to dials. It retails at 6300 euros, or around £5420.
Here’s the word from TAG H press office;
Just in time for summer, the Swiss luxury watchmaker unveils the TAG Heuer Carrera Green Special Edition, an exceptional timepiece in a brand new colour: a deep blue-green with an intense shimmer. Limited to 500 pieces, this watch artfully combines the tradition inherited from the first Heuer Carrera models with modern elegance, brought together by an incomparable Riviera style.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Green Special Edition chronograph has in fact plenty in common with the Heuer Carrera ref. 2447. The signature lugs, stylish case, polished push buttons and dial all chime pleasingly with its illustrious predecessor, but the details and broader diameter – enlarged from 36 to 39 mm – bring it right up to date.
The dial boasts a sober, sophisticated tricompax structure with three snailed subdials: a minute chronograph at 3 o’clock, hour chronograph at 9 o’clock and permanent second indicator at 6 o’clock. The hour and minute hands are faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova® for optimum readability. Behind the retro-style “glass box” domed sapphire crystal, also inspired by the original Heuer Carrera, the dial sports the emblematic Heuer logo and Carrera name.
And last but not least, the new feature that makes this watch stand out from the crowd: the dial’s stunning teal sunray-brushed colour.
Rarely featured in TAG Heuer collections, this colour is a subtle
blend of blue and green, giving this timepiece a fresh, creative flair and sophisticated boldness. On the caseback, there are touches of teal on the movement’s column wheel and in the “Calibre Heuer 02” and “Swiss Made” inscriptions on the oscillating mass, visible through the transparent case.
There are just 500 examples of this special edition, 39mm watch being made, all sold direct online or via TAG boutiques.
