The Officine Panerai Radiomir S.L.C. —Siluro a Lento Corsa— 3 Days, represents a tribute to the history of Officine Panerai and to a watch that has constituted a fundamental milestone in the history of professional diver’s watchmaking. Many of the characteristics of this watch come straight from the prototype created by Panerai in 1936 to equip the commandos of the Royal Italian Navy. Fitted with a cushion case in stainless steel with measuring 47 mm in diameter, the Radiomir S.L.C. 3 Days features the iconic slender wire strap attachments of the Radiomir line as well as the conical —onion shaped— crown and a very simple dial with a special feature on bas-relief.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26288. One of Our Favorite Tourbillons in The Market.
This time we are talking about one of our favorite tourbillons in the market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26288OF.OO.D002CR.01. This is a grail for many watchlifestylers and one hell of a watch. This Offshore is not only one amazing horological complication, but perhaps one of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs with the most mesmerizing wrist presence.
This robust timepiece featuring a tourbillon, also features an integrated column wheel 30-minute chronograph —quite a complication. This watch is fitted with an 18K pink gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 16.60 mm in thickness, an anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, an anti-reflective coated display case back, a forged carbon bezel, a black ceramic screw-down crown and black ceramic chrono pushers.
Experience: Iberico 'Pata Negra' Ham 5J Cinco Jotas along with a Rolex Submariner ref. 16800. When Two Classics Meet.
It's been a while since we brought you content around food, one of the key components of the good life. The Iberico acorn-fed ham from Spain is as classic and refined as an unpolished Rolex Submariner 16800 with tons of real patina. Faithful to its origins, Cinco Jotas makes one of the finest acorn-fed hams in Spain and the company has maintained the purity of the 'Pata Negra' —black hoof— Iberian pigs they use as well as the proper preservation of their natural ecosystem —in which the pigs develop— flawlessly, just like Rolex has kept its DNA intact over the last 60 years. The 'Pata Negra' acorn-fed ham Cinco Jotas, just like real patina on a Rolex Submariner is easily identified by its color, texture, overall appearance and cannot be faked as those that are true connoisseurs will be able to spot it.
Insider: Hublot King Power 'Red Devil' Manchester United Limited Edition. 250 Pieces for True Reds.
For the third time Hublot and UK Football team Manchester United come together for a special limited edition watch. This special partnership started in 2009 when Hublot installed an H-shaped structure comprised of a 10 meter tower in the shape of an H —just like the one on the Hublot logo— that holds four clock faces with a diameter of two meters each, strategically located by the parking lot in front of the East Stand. Additionally, two other limited edition Hublot Manchester United watches were released before this one.
Considering the long standing partnership between the two companies, this watch is a particular treat for Manchester United fans that are true reds and which comes in a very limited edition of 250 pieces in 18K red gold with a titanium middle case measuring 48 mm in diameter.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400. The Largest Royal Oak Ever Made.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400 is the largest Royal Oak ever made with an over-sized case with a diameter of 41 mm. This fantastic reference —also available in rose gold— is a clear result of the continuous evolution of the Royal Oak and the manufacture's constant forward thinking.
Since its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak has gone through several design modifications including at least 12 references in 39mm, 12 in 36mm, 15 in 33 mm and even a rectangular Royal Oak ref. 6005. Today, the Royal Oak continues to embrace its core values just like it did 40 years ago regardless of its size. For some Royal Oak purists, bigger means betraying the original Jumbo. We have to admit that it took us a good year and months to come around; however, we can say with confidence that ref. 15400 is just as good.
News: Presenting the New Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller D-Blue Dial Edition. A Very Interesting Release.
Rolex celebrates its partnership with James Cameron’s historic dive by launching a new version of the Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller. On the occasion of the release of National Geographic’s "DeepSea Challenge 3D" film about the expedition to the deepest reaches of the ocean by explorer and film-maker James Cameron —producer of Titanic and Avatar—, Rolex has introduced a new version of its Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller. This ultimate divers’ watch, resistant to extreme pressure, is equipped with a new “D-blue” dial representing the colors of the deep. The deep blue to pitch-black gradient dial is reminiscent of the ocean’s twilight zone where the last trickle of light from the surface disappears into the abyss, echoing James Cameron’s DeepSea Challenge expedition. As a tribute to the partnership between Rolex and Cameron, the “DEEPSEA” marking on the new dial adopts the color of the explorer’s green submersible as it is perceived underwater.
Insider: Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition. While Not Fitted with an In-House Movement it is Still Quite Impressive.
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of meeting with Nick English and Michael Pearson from Bremont here in Chicago. After a strong wave of negative reactions from watch collectors regarding the Bremont calibre BWC/01 —the calibre that powers the just launched Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition and that was called an in-house movement on the press release we all watch publications received—, Nick English —co-founder of Bremont— spent some time explaining that while this movement is not an in-house movement it really feels in-house to them. Terminology and semantics aside, the newly launched Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition is a very nice watch.
Experience: 3D Printed Horological Model Tourbillon 1000% by Nicholas Manousos. Brilliant and a Glimpse to the Future of Horological R&D.
Last year around this time, a 3D printer experience facility opened its doors here in Chicago. The very same day we visited the facility, the first thought that came to mind was how 3D printing would impact the horological world by simplifying process with the development of watch prototypes, part prototypes or even with the creation of super-sized models of watch designs and functional parts to ease the research and development process as well as watchmaking training at the manufactures.
Today, less than a year later, we bring you this story about a man named Nicholas Manousos who has already made our dream come true with the launch of the first 3D printed horological model.
Experience: Omega Hosts a Special Preview of their Baselworld 2014 Novelties in Partnership with WatchCollectingLifestyle in Chicago.
A few days ago, the Omega Boutique on Michigan Avenue here in Chicago, hosted a special preview of the Baselworld 2014 novelties in partnership with our publication. This wonderful evening included all the new watches presented at Baselworld 2014 presented earlier this year —with the exception of the Speedmaster 'Lunar Dust'— and their new line of NATO straps that will become available in the month of August across the Omega Boutique network. While we have seen the novelties multiple times, we have not played with the NATO straps enough. Fortunately, this time, we were able to see the NATO straps fitted on a few of the novelties as well as on other watches from the current collection. We even put a gorgeous Omega leather NATO strap on the new Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 45th Anniversary that looked just amazing.
Experience: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Along with the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph.
The pinnacle whisky of the House of Walker — it is the epitome of blending—, just like the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph —reviewed here— is one of the pinnacles of Montblanc timepieces. Created to reflect the style of whiskies in the early 19th century, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is created using some of the rarest casks from the Johnnie Walker stocks, the largest in the world. The casks are hand-selected and set aside for their exceptional quality, character and flavor. The character of Blue Label is truly unique; it is complex, powerful, incredibly smooth and retains the Johnnie Walker signature smokiness.
News: Presenting the Bremont Wright Flyer Limited Edition. 450 Pieces Across Three Different Models.
Bremont is honored to announce the unveiling of the Limited Edition Bremont Wright Flyer. This new timepiece will feature some of the original fabric used on the 1903 Wright Flyer aircraft. Just as significantly, it showcases Bremont’s first ever in-house movement, the automatic calibre BWC/01, designed and developed in Britain. Many of its constituent parts have also been crafted at the company’s workshops in Henleyon-Thames. The 25 jewel, 33.4mm movement features a 50+ hour power reserve, Glucydur balance and a hairspring adjusted via a micro-metric screw. Utterly reliable and extremely robust, the BWC/01 is elegant and beautifully finished, with a central hour and minute hand and a running seconds hand at 9 o’clock.
Insider: Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight Blue ref. 79220B. Way Better Under Natural Light.
While the Tudor Heritage Black Bay ref. 79220R with red burgundy bezel insert and gilt dial was launched at Baselworld 2012 —reviewed here—, it wasn't until September 12, 2013 that the brand relaunched in the U.S. and the watch became readily available at very few select authorized dealers that Tudor cherry picked. For many watchlifestylers, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay was some sort of fad during 2012 and the watch has been up and down in popularity since then. Two years later, Tudor presents a new iteration of this fascinating timepiece with a non-gilt dial and a midnight blue bezel that we are featuring here.
The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight Blue also honors the first Tudor Sub from 1954 in a perfectly sized 41mm case with a great vintage feel to it and mesmerizing snowflake hands.
Experience: Celebrating with Omega and Buzz Aldrin the 45th Anniversary of the Moon Landing at the Kennedy Space Center.
July 20th, 2014, marks the 45th anniversary of the moon landing and the achievement of the Omega Speedmaster Professional in becoming the only watch to be flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions. Additionally, the Speedmaster Professional is the first watch to have been worn on the moon surface on July 21st, 1969 at 02:56 GMT. For this special occasion, we were invited by our friends from Omega to a very special dinner with Omega Ambassador and former astronaut Buzz Aldrin at the Kennedy Space Center a.k.a Cape Canaveral on 'Speedy Tuesday' earlier this week. On this wonderful evening, we were accompanied by our Omega Speedmaster Professional ref. 3570.50 powered by the manual wound calibre 1861.
News: Presenting the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Annual Calendar Tribute to Russell Westbrook.
While the Zenith Pilot Type 20 requires no introduction, the Pilot Type 20 Annual Calendar Tribute to Russell Westbrook —designed in collaboration with the young basketball player— deserves a closer look. As its name implies, it is equipped with an annual calendar —an elegantly discreet complication that might almost go unnoticed if it were not mentioned on the dial. The annual calendar differs from the perpetual calendar in that it does not take into account the additional day that is added to the month of February in leap years —every four years.
This is a complication that calculates odd and even months and also factors in the 31st day of August. In a nutshell, it is a useful function that avoids the wearer having to adjust his watch every month. Visually speaking, the day of the week and the month are displayed on the blue dial at 3 o’clock in a rectangular aperture. Just above it are the name of Zenith’s new ambassador, Russell Westbrook, together with his silhouette in action on the court and his signature.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin ref. 15202ST. Almost Like the Original Jumbo From 1972.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin ref. 15202ST.OO.1240ST.01 is as close as you would get nowadays to the feeling of owning the iconic Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402ST from 1972. While this redesigned Jumbo maintains the sleek lines of the other Jumbos and most of the core elements present in the ref. 5402, there are subtle differences that are worth discussing.
The new Jumbo, referred to as Extra-Thin by Audemars Piguet, is fitted with a sapphire crystal display case back just like the previous Jumbo ref. 15202. The original Jumbo 5402 from 1972 featured a unique monoblock case design, making it even thinner and more sleek.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down Updated Model. Bigger, Better and Nicer than the Original Model.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down was updated this year and presented at the SIHH as one of the novelties from the manufacture. The 1815 Up/Down ref. 234.026 in white gold is one of the most classic looking watches from this manufacture and one of our favorite ones. Also available in pink gold and yellow gold, this watch is now fitted with a case measuring 39mm in diameter —opposed to 36mm in the past— and only 8.7mm in thickness. The case features polished and satin brushed areas to provide a perfectly balanced case that is not only very elegant but extremely well crafted at a level that can only be described with the word 'perfection'.
Macros: Audemars Piguet Calibre 3120. One of the Greatest Movements Ever Made.
The Audemars Piguet calibre 3120 is now considered one of the greatest automatic movements ever made. Fitted on several models across the Royal Oak collection— including the discontinued ref. 15300, the recently launched ref. 15400 and the Royal Oak Offshore Diver amongst others—, calibre 3120 is a work of art and truly one of the nicest movements you can find out there. Not to mention that is also extremely accurate.
This beautiful and precise calibre, is fully decorated with Côtes de Genève on all bridges and comes with a stunning bi-directional 22k gold rotor. The rotor features the coats of arms for the Audemars and Piguet families, all done with immaculate attention to detail.
News: Presenting the Arnold & Son HMS Beagle Set. Limited Edition of Eight Sets of Three timepieces each.
Continuing with their limited edition product strategy, this time Arnold & Son presents a trio of timepieces commemorating Charles Darwin’s voyage of discovery. The HMS Beagle Set is composed of eight limited edition sets of three timepieces each, honoring the HMS Beagle ship that was used by Charles Darwin to set foot at the Galapagos Island. While the HMS Beagle undertook three survey voyages in all, it was the second one, with naturalist Charles Darwin on board, that guaranteed its place in history. With this set of three watches, each featuring an exquisite hand-painted miniature of HMS Beagle, Arnold & Son pays tribute to one of the most celebrated ships in the history of exploration.
News: Presenting the New Christophe Claret X-TREM-1 Chocolate. Hours and Minutes Displayed by a Magnetic System.
Christophe Claret is pleased to present X-TREM-1 Chocolate, featuring a red gold and grade 5 titanium case treated with chocolate-color PVD, plus an alligator-skin strap of the same brown hue. This timepiece is as visually striking as it is technically innovative. Christophe Claret has always focused on developing original timepieces incorporating the latest technological innovations. The brand is known for pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking and straying away from the beaten horological path. First presented in 2012, X-TREM-1 is a testament to this endeavor and represents a totally new way of telling the time.
X-TREM-1 displays hour and minutes by means of two tiny hollowed steel spheres isolated within sapphire tubes on both sides of the caseband.
Insider: Richard Mille RM052-01 Skull Tourbillon Nano-Ceramic. The Most Unique Grain on a Ceramic Composite Case.
Not long ago we reviewed and photographed one of Richard Mille's latest creations, the RM052-01. The Richard Mille RM052-01 takes its inspiration from a previous model, the RM052. Opposed to its predecessor, the RM052-01 features a TZP ceramic bezel and case back with a middle case of carbon nano-tubes —measuring 42.70mm in width, 50mm in length and 15.95mm in thickness— and a solid red gold skull on the dial that includes a tourbillon strategically located inside its jaws.
This watch featuring the newest material in the Richard Mille line-up has the most fascinating finish that we've ever seen on any other ceramic composite watch due to its unique grain —product of the 95% yttrium-stabilized zirconium used in its production.
