This relatively young manufacture, was founded in 1967 by Armin Strom in a small town named Burgdorf located northwest of Bern. The Armin Strom Tourbillon Earth ref. ST13-TE.90 is perhaps one of our three favorite watches from this manufacture. This particular tourbillon is not only beautiful but also very stealth looking thanks to its black PVD stainless steel case. A watch that seems rugged by its looks —specially when sported on its black rubber strap— and size —43.4 mm in diameter by 13 mm in thickness— but with a delicate and perfectionist craftsmanship.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down Pink Gold. Hands-on with One of the Most Iconic Timepieces From Saxony.
For over ten years, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down has been the benchmark in chronographs since its launch. Its assets include the oversized date, the high-speed flyback switching mechanism for the chronograph and a patented, precisely-jumping minute counter. The Datograph Up/Down also features a power reserve indicator. Only available in 18K rose gold or platinum both with a black dial, the new Datograph —as it replaced the 39 mm model— is one of the most iconic Lange timepieces out there.
Insider: Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727. A High Frequency 10Hz Timepiece with Six Different Hand Guilloché Motifs on its Dial.
Today, we bring you our hands-on review of the Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727BR/12/9WU. This particular watch was awarded the Grand Prix 'Aiguille d'Or' at the GPHG in 2014. Additionally, this is one of the few Breguets featuring the new 10Hz high frequency escapement composed of a magnetic balance with double balance spring, lever and escape wheel in silicon. The Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 is a perfect example of Breguet's DNA in a timepiece that offers the basic time function with a 1/10th of a second subdial and power reserve indicator.
Experience: de Boulle. The Largest Patek Philippe Authorized Dealer in the South and Now Also with a Boutique in Houston.
If you live in Texas, the de Boulle name is no stranger to you. Located in the heart of the Park Cities in Dallas and with a newly opened boutique in the River Oaks District in Houston with a fascinating Patek Philippe salon —as we featured it here—, de Boulle is one of those authorized dealers worth paying a visit and talking about.
Insider: HYT H2 Aviator Unique Piece. Hands-on with a Hydro-Mechanical Timepiece for Aviation Lovers.
With an already imposing name, the HYT H2 Aviator ref. 248-DL-01-GF-KG is the first time HYT creates a timepiece destined for aviation lovers which each step of its concept designed to satisfy aeronautical codes. The H2 Aviator we have here, is a unique piece where the liquid is green instead of yellow as in the regular production H2 Aviator.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting the Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P. A Mechanical and Quartz Hybrid Timepiece.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its first in-house quartz movement, the famous ultra-thin 7P calibre presented in 1976, Piaget unveils the Emperador Coussin XL 700P. This new watch is an astonishing concept watch issued in a 118-piece limited edition.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting Five New Jaeger-LeCoultre Reversos with Sixteen References to Celebrate the 85th Anniversary of an Icon.
In preparation for the SIHH 2016 next month, Jaeger-LeCoultre has just unveiled five new Reverso watches with sixteen references, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the birth of this iconic watch first presented in 1931. This undisputed style icon elicits the same wonderment decade after decade.
Insider: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 '200th Anniversary F. A. Lange' Limited Edition in Platinum. A 200-Piece Edition Where Less is More.
With the limited A. Lange & Söhne 1815 '200th Anniversary F. A. Lange', A. Lange & Söhne salutes the Ferdinand Adolph Lange the founder of Saxon precision watchmaking who was born 200 years ago. The exclusive anniversary edition is available in platinum and honey gold and is limited to 200 watches each.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980/1AR-001. Hands-On with a Perfectly Executed Two-Tone Timepiece.
This time, just like we did on our hands-on review of the full rose gold version of this watch, we will limit the use of words and let the images do the real talking. When it comes to a watch like the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980/1AR-001, there's really not much to say about the watch. The Patek Philippe Nautilus is simply perfect.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph ref. 49150. A Classic that Needs No Introduction.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph ref. 49150/B01A-9095 is a timepiece that needs very little to no introduction. The Vacheron Overseas is a watch inspired by the sea and by the lines of the Vacheron Constantin '222' —a 37 mm watch designed by Jorg Hysek Sr. in 1977 to celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the manufacture and to compete against the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak— and in our opinion with some cues from the defunct Vacheron Constantin Phidias.
News: Presenting the New Ressence Type 5 Diving Watch. The First Mechanical Diving Watch with No 'Total Internal Reflection' Under Water.
Today we are presenting you the third creation from Ressence. The new Type 5 is a diver's watch that is ISO certified and the first mechanical diving watch to offer a perfect view of the dial at any angle with no mirror reflection under water. The main function of the new Type 5 is telling time, however, the watch is also equipped with ultra-bright blue and green superluminova and a built-in thermometer for the oil temperature.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Jeans Ceramic Limited Edition. Only 250 Pieces for Denim Lovers.
If you are a denim lover and a fan of Citizens of Humanity, 7 For All Mankind, True Religion or Paper Denim & Cloth jeans, it is very likely that the Hublot Big Bang Jeans Ceramic Limited Edition ref. 301.CI.2770.NR.JEANS is the perfect watch for you. This watch, specifically designed with denim lovers in mind, is as bold and rebellious as it gets.
News: Presenting the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst. Commemorating the 200th Birthday of Ferdinand Adolph Lange.
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, A. Lange & Söhne has just released one of the most beautiful watches we've seen lately. The new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst ref. 730.048F is the first A. Lange & Söhne watch that combines a stop-seconds device for the tourbillon and the zero-reset mechanism. At the close of the anniversary year that commemorates the 200th birthday of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, this paragon of precision timekeeping is being presented in a limited 'Handwerkskunst' —artisanship— edition featuring extraordinary dial and movement decorations.
News: MB&F Launches 'The Tribe' Owners Section On Their Website and Gives an Extended 2-Year Warranty on all Watches Ever Created Regardless of Their Purchase Date.
Some great news from MB&F this morning. In order to celebrate the end of this amazing year and their 10th year anniversary, they have a very special gift for all collectors of MB&F Machines.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar in Stainless Steel. The Best Complete Calendar You Can Buy Under $10,500 USD.
We are suckers for complete calendars as they are one of the most fascinating complications without having to go for the whole nine yards and getting a Perpetual Calendar. If you like to know what day you are living in and have the month, day, date and moon phase on your wrist, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar in stainless steel is the best value for your money and a fascinating timepiece with wonderful wrist presence.
Experience: H. Upmann Petit Coronas. JFK's Favorite Cuban Cigar Brand.
Just like the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black ref. 79220B is reminiscent of another era, the H. Upmann Petit Coronas is a cigar that will also transport you back in time. Well known among cigar connoisseurs, as president John F. Kennedy's favorite cigar brand, the H. Upmann Petit Coronas is a cigar that delivers way more than its size conveys. Similar in size to the 'Petit Upmann' —Kennedy's favorite H. Upmann cigar—, the Petit Coronas are as close as it gets to the now discontinued 'vitola' that JFK used to love. The H. Upmann brand gets its name from a German banker named Herman Upmann who decided to move to Cuba because of his love for Cuban cigars. In 1844, he set up a bank that closed in the early 1920s but his cigar making factory still remains as a fine example of a light to medium Habano like no other. H. Upmann Petit Coronas is definitely a cigar that goes well in any occasion and one that is a joy to smoke.
Insider: Armin Strom Manual Air. An Exceptional Time Only Manual Wound Watch.
The Armin Strom Manual Air is one of the four watches within the entry level Manual collection for this Swiss manufacture from Biel/Bienne. While the words 'entry level' might typically convey lower price point in the watch category; when it comes to independent watch manufactures like Armin Strom, we are talking more about a price point situated above the $10,000 USD mark. But hey, one thing we can assure you, is that you get what you are paying for, no more no less. With a very limited production of around 500 pieces a year —all of them of course handmade— Armin Strom has quickly gained momentum in less than 50 years. Established in 1967 in Altstadt area of Burgdorf, Armin Strom watches were initially only available through his shop and it wasn't until 1984 when Armin Strom officially entered the watch world by presenting at the Basel Watch and Jewellery Fair —Baselworld.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second. Ticks Like a Quartz, but is Equipped with One of the Finest Automatic Movements Out There.
Renowned for its horological mastery and its creative talent, Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the new Geophysic True Second a few months ago. Inspired by Jaeger-LeCoultre's iconic Geophysic watch released in 1958 for the the International Geophysical Year, the manufacture from Le Sentier went above and beyond for the creation of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second. This new watch —that might fool those not well versed with horology due to its seconds hand ticking like a quartz watch—, is equipped with the new JLC in-house calibre 770 that features an atypical balance wheel featuring a non-circular configuration named the Gyrolab. This new device was initially developed in a laboratory version back in 2007 to equip the Master Compressor Extreme Lab 1 watch and it took eight years to transition from the prototype stage to the final product that could be incorporated into an entire watch line.
News: Pre-SIHH 2016 Presenting the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic PAM 655. First Radiomir Ever with a White Dial.
A little bit over a month before the SIHH 2016 kicks off, Panerai presents the first Radiomir to have a white dial. The new Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic PAM 655 takes its inspiration directly from the 1940s model but in an absolutely contemporary style. Subtle, light, distinguished by its essential lines and maximum clarity of reading and setting, it is a sports watch adapted to every situation. For the first time in a watch in the Radiomir 1940 collection, the dial of the new Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic is offered in white. Its graphic design maximizes the dial’s clarity and legibility, with the large black figures corresponding to the hour markers and the small seconds dial at nine o’clock, a characteristic of Panerai watches of the 1940s. The cushion case, in AISI 316L stainless steel with polished finish, measures 42 mm in diameter and only 10.93 mm in thickness.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon ref. 26510OR. Hands-on with Our Favorite Tourbillon in the Market.
Sublime, exceptional and elegant, are the words we like to use to describe what we consider to be the 'our favorite Tourbillon in the market'. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon has a very rich history within Audemars Piguet. The first Royal Oak Tourbillon was released in 1992 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak and its name the Royal Oak Jubilee. Then in 1997, one of the most unique and rare Royal Oaks ever made was presented by Audemars Piguet. We are talking about the Royal Oak Automatique Tourbillon 25th Anniversary ref. 25831 of which only 5 pieces were ever made in 18K rose gold to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak as we featured it here. This exceptional limited edition watch was produced in very limited quantities in stainless steel —only 25 pieces—, 18K yellow gold —5 pieces—, 950 platinum —5 with blue dial and 5 with salmon dial— and it is the only Royal Oak Tourbillon fitted with an automatic calibre up to date.
