Watch and marvel ...

Edox Classe Royal Minute Repeater

B Andrew — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:37:07 +0000

This watch looks more like a toolkit than a classic watch, but it is nevertheless an object of beauty. No surprise to learn that it features a five-minute repeater - but of course! I like the stripped-down, functional look. Edox have taken it very easy with the colours, and all to good effect. I also like the shape of the dial, and the masterful use of stainless steel. I’m not sure how many pieces are available, but I won’t be surprised if there is a crazy stampede for this watch.

Some specs. Movement: automatic Edox caliber 87 (base ETA 2892-A2), 36 jewels. Edox’s repeater rings with two hammers. Power reserve of 42 hours. Water resistant to 50 meters.

Breguet Grand Complication Ref. 1160 Pocket Watch

B Andrew — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:15:45 +0000

The first ever pocket watch to feature on this blog, if I’m not mistaken, and what a worthy pioneer!

Watch and Marvel present you, straight out of Basel, the Breguet Grand Complication Ref. 1160 Pocket Watch. I don’t want to own this watch; it is enough just to have its picture. Something to admire, and very definitely not a watch to forget.

Louis Moinet Temptograph

B Andrew — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:15:48 +0000

I would not have been happy with myself had I not included the Louis Moinet Temptograph on this blog. You see, I love Louis Moinet, and would have felt compelled, out of loyalty, to write at least, something, on this watch. However, it wasn’t a chore after all, as this is a most delightful piece.

Just check out the interplay of colours: striking, without being tacky. Put quite simply, this watch is fun. For those of you who like your watches to look over-the-top blooming expensive, you won’t be disappointed. It also caters for those who simply like to make heads turn. I love the blued steel screws, set as they are in a truly fascinating dial. You can have either a black or silver dial, both decorated with the Cotes du Jura motif. The hand-sewn alligator strap should go without saying. Oh, and the second hand (with its retrograde mechanism) marks off the time in 10 second segments; first time I have ever seen a watch do that. Baselworld is really coming alive for me.

Some specs. Movement:exclusive self-winding mechanical. 27 jewels, 28,800 vph. Power reserve: 42 hours. Water resistance to 30m.

Unsurprisingly, this is a limited edition of only 60 watches.

Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph

B Andrew — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:06:03 +0000

Readers of this blog will know how much I love a monopusher chronograph, so you can imagine my joy unbound to discover this splendid gem. I am talking about the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph. The monopusher aspect aside, I like the simple, elegant appearance of the dial. This is a quiet and understated watch, but none the less brilliant for that.

Specs. Movement: in-house Montblanc manual-wind caliber 4810/860 with chronograph, GMT and power reserve complications. Power reserve: 72 hours. 33 jewels, 28,800 bph. Water resistant to 30m.

Chronoswiss Grand Regulateur

B Andrew — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:34:32 +0000

We’re barely out the starting blocks at Baselworld, and already, something to take the breath away. Here is the Chronoswiss Grand Regulateur. It’s a bit too early to say, but this watch may well turn out to be my favourite from this year’s exhibition.

As usual, there are so many watches vying for attention at Baselworld, it’s a task in itself to keep track of the truly superb. So thanks to Timezone for drawing my attention to this beauty.

Baselworld 2008

B Andrew — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:41:22 +0000

BASELWORLD, my favourite watch show, opened today. It runs until 10 April, and I am eagerly looking forward to discovering some exciting and imaginative watches. My complaint of late has been that there doesn’t seem to be enough inspiration as far as new watches are concerned. I see a new watch these days and wonder "haven’t I already seen that some place else?". Oh for something wonderfully new, breath-taking, and daring! I desperately hope BASELWORLD 2008 does not disappoint.

Time to buy a watch

B Andrew — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:59:17 +0000

I saw the most striking Baume and Mercier watch in a shop window today (sorry, no pictures). Thing is, it looked very much like an IWC watch I have been dreaming about for days.

Either one would do just fine.

Baume and Mercier Riviera XXL Jump Hour

B Andrew — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:51:30 +0000

The Baume and Mercier Riviera XXL Jump Hour reminds me somewhat of the Hublot $1m Big Bang, featured on this blog some time ago.

Here is the Baume and Mercier Riviera XXL Jump Hour:

and here is the Hublot $1m Big Bang:

The comments I made about the latter apply equally to the former. I have repeated them below, substituting Baume and Mercier for Hublot:

Don’t know about you, but the [Baume and Mercier Riviera XXL Jump Hour] does nothing for me. Not as a watch, anyway. I prefer to see it as an exquisite piece of jewellery. In my opinion, there are only so many diamonds this side of decadence.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator

B Andrew — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:38:07 +0000

Another marvellous watch in the Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine, but nowhere near the Malte Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in beauty. As it turns out, the one thing that makes this watch stand out, is the one thing I do not like about it: I do not think that the shape of the case goes well with the actual design and finish of the dial. Maybe a round shaped case would have worked better.

Some specs. Movement: Manual-wind caliber 1790R, 22 jewels. 18,000 bph. The Power reserve: 40 hours. Water resistant to 30 metres. Regulator layout and Tourbillon.

Limited edition of 50 pieces (platinum).

Via Timezone.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

B Andrew — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:21:00 +0000

You all know how much I love Vacheron Constantin Malte watches. Here is the Malte Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Simply beautiful. It looks different to many of the Malte watches I have come across, but none the less marvellous for that. I love the alligator leather strap, an understated but pleasing contrast to the platinum dial.

This watch is part of the Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine. Another watch in that collection is the Malte Tourbillon Regulator.

Some specs. Movement: manual-wind caliber 1141QP with 21 jewels. 21,000 bph. Water resistant to 30 metres. Power reserve: 40 hours.

Via Timezone.