The history of the Fifty Fathoms brings together two lineages. First is that of Jean-Jacques Fiechter a passionate diver who was Blancpain’s CEO for three decades, 1950-1980. The second is that of Captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, founders of the French Navy’s combat swimmers corps and who were searching for a reliable watch for their underwater missions. With continuous improvements in mind, Jean-Jacques Fiechter incorporated a circular water-tightness indicator to the Fifty Fathoms, where if any liquid were to leak into the watch case, a disk at 6 o’clock would signal the problem by changing its color from white to red.
Baselworld 2017: Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5131/1P-001 in Platinum. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Up until now only available in 18K rose gold, the legendary Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5131 is now also available in platinum. This new platinum iteration reference 5131/1P-001 is a quite heavy timepiece with a total weight of 241.8 grams —as a reference a full gold on bracelet Audemars Piguet ref. 15202OR has a total weight of 215 grams— with a 39.5 mm case and a stunning dial with 'Cloisonné' enamel center with a view of the earth as seen from the North Pole.
Baselworld 2017: Tudor Heritage Black Bay Two-Tone S&G Steel and Gold ref. 79733N. Live Pics & Pricing.
A true stunner that was missing in the Tudor Heritage Black Bay is the new just released at Baselworld 2017 Heritage Black Bay S&G —Steel and Gold. This new Black Bay sporting a 41 mm case in stainless steel is fitted with an 18K yellow gold solid gold bezel and end link and with shell —hollow link— center link on its bracelet and with shell winding crown.
Baselworld 2017: MB&F Destination Moon Clock by L'Epée. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Continuing with their space and sci-fi creations, MB&F is presenting the new clock in partnership with legendary clock maker L'Epée. The new MB&F Destination Moon with the architecture of L’Epée’s eight-day movement follows the basic engineering of a real spaceship. Power in a rocket comes from its base and the power for Destination Moon comes from the oversized winding crown in its base.
Baselworld 2017: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Blue Dial ref. 5168G 20th Anniversary. Live Pictures & Pricing.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut —full history of this model here—, Patek just released a very special new Aquanaut in 18K white gold with blue dial and blue rubber strap. This new reference 5168G fitted with a 42.2 mm case —2.2 mm bigger than reference 5167 and still powered by the same automatic calibre 324 S C powering the Aquanaut ref. 5167 we reviewed here.
Baselworld 2017: New Rolex Sea-Dweller 50th Anniversary with Red Writing. Live Pictures & Pricing.
What everyone was waiting for, a single red Sea-Dweller makes its appearance at Baselworld 2017. The Sea-Dweller ref. 126600 is revisited for its 50th anniversary in a bolder 43 mm case. Rolex is introducing the latest generation of its Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller, a legend among professional divers’ watches created 50 years ago in 1967. The new Sea-Dweller features a larger, 43 mm case and the new calibre 3235, at the forefront of watchmaking technology and employed for the first time in a Rolex Professional category watch.
Baselworld 2017: Armin Strom Presents the Watch Configurator. An Amazing Concept Where One Can Make Its own Unique Piece.
Armin Strom’s Innovative Watch Configurator: The Ultimate Way to Create Something No One Else Owns. Luxury is not just about price anymore; luxury is about exclusivity – the exclusivity that comes with owning something rare and special that no one else has. And luxury is as personal as each individual collector. With that in mind, Armin Strom now provides the opportunity for clients to create their own exclusive, luxurious wristwatches: the new Watch Configurator is an inspirational, effortless, time-saving system that is simple to use even as it opens new perspectives in personalization.
Baselworld 2017: Tudor Black Bay Chronograph ref. 79350. Live Pictures & Price.
This evening at a casual dinner with our friends from Tudor, the first of their novelties was presented. The new Tudor Black Bay Chronograph is the newest addition to the Heritage Black Bay collection. With a stainless steel case measuring 41 mm in diameter and a matte black dial, the new Tudor Black Bay Chronograph is an automatic 45-minute chronograph.
H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Minute Retrograde. Hands-on with a Moser Watch that Looks More Like a Hautlence.
Pairing the rectangular case of its Swiss Alp Watch with the highly technical movement from its sister brand Hautlence, H. Moser & Cie. has created a delightful surprise which combines tradition with modernity. This unique approach faithfully employs classic 'Haute Horlogerie' techniques whilst incorporating the ultimate in technological movements. A striking contrast in a mesmerizingly beautiful watch that is compelling from every angle. The Swiss Alp Watch stands against the tide of smart watches, as a symbol of traditional Swiss watchmaking.
Pre-Baselworld 2017 Presenting the New Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition.
At the occasion of the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show and Pre-Baselworld 2017, Zenith and Land Rover are celebrating their creative relationship by presenting the new Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition. The timepiece features a new elegant brushed grey dial with copper-toned details, and a new black rubber strap coated with black-toned perforated calfskin, inspired by ideas from both brands’ product design and engineering departments. A watch to embrace the heritage and strong credentials of two legends.
Experience: Havana Club Gran Reserva Añejo 15 Años. As Unique and Smooth as our Armin Strom Gravity Date WCL Unique Piece.
Sitting a notch above the Havana Club 'Selección de Maestros' is the Havana Club Gran Reserva Añejo 15 Años from Cuba. Produced by repeatedly blending and aging selected rums and 'aguardientes' in old oak casks that add that delicate touch of tannin, this unique ageing process liberates the aromas and flavor and gives that extra smoothness that is the top mark of top quality rum. Aged for no less than 15 years and with a limited production of only 58 barrels per year, the Havana Club Gran Reserva is one of the best rums we've ever had with a unique aroma, intense flavor and unparalleled smoothness.
Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor Two-Tone ref. 116621 Chocolate Dial. Hands-on with a Delicious Piece of Rolex Goodness.
As we approach Baselworld 2017 happening in less than a week, we bring you our hands-on review of one of the Rolex watches that didn't get much attention after its release at Baselworld 2016. The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor ref. 116621 with chocolate dial is the first watch in the Yacht-Master family to ever feature Everose Rolesor —Rolex's two-tone combination of 904L steel and 18K Everose gold. This new model maintains all design elements of the Yacht-Master with large hour markers and broad hands with a stunning combination of gold coveted for its luster and nobility and stainless steel to reinforces strength and reliability.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rodeo Drive Limited Edition ref. 26060ST. Harder to Find than Finding a Needle in a Haystack.
More challenging to find than finding a needle in a haystack, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rodeo Drive Limited Edition ref. 26060ST.OO.D017CR.01 was released on May 16, 2005 as a tribute to the opening of Westime's —AP authorized dealer in Los Angeles— second location on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This watch, also marks the second limited edition ever created in honor of an AP authorized dealer. After the successful release in 2004 of ref. 26034TS to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sincer Watch in Singapore, the Rodeo Drive was released in a 50-piece limited edition that quickly sold out.
Unboxing Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Oro Rosso PAM 717 Istanbul Boutique. When Number 1 out of 50 Lands in Dallas.
If you read elsewhere that all 50 pieces of the highly coveted Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Oro Rosso PAM 717 for the Istanbul Boutique were sold out during the Panerai launch event at Les Ottoman's in Turkey at the end of 2016, please don't believe a dime of what that website said. We still can't believe that they were selected by Panerai as the only media partner to cover that event. Well, let's get back on the topic. Yesterday, we had the honor of documenting the unboxing of number 1 out of 50 of a PAM 717 purchased by a friend and Panerai collector in Dallas, Texas.
Pre-Baselworld 2017 Presenting the new MCT Dodekal One D110. Hands-on Live Pictures & Pricing.
Right on time for Baselworld 2017 and to mark its tenth anniversary, MCT Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps presents the new Dōdekal One D110, the first mechanical watch featuring an innovative digital hours display in the center of the dial. With its name taken from the Greek 'Dodeka' meaning twelve, the new MCT Dodekal One D110 takes its inspiration from the digital electronic watches from the seventies. Driven by a new in-house manufacture movement, calibre D1, the new Dōdekal One features one of the most unique and intriguing digital time displays for a mechanical watch.
News: Pre-Baselworld 2017 Presenting the new Arnold & Son DBG Skeleton
Arnold & Son unveils a new rendition of its unique DBG dual-time —GMT— timepiece, the DBG Skeleton. An acronym for “double balance” and “GMT”, the DBG Skeleton references the precise chronometers built by John Arnold and his son. With a new skeletonized execution, the DBG Skeleton showcases Arnold & Son’s watchmaking prowess as well as attention to aesthetic details with the newly developed manufacture A&S1309 calibre, which has been conceived, designed and manufactured entirely in-house.
Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges. Hands-on with one of the Most Modern Looking Timepieces from this Manufacture.
A stunning timepiece with exposed balance wheel on the dial side is the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges ref. 84000-21-001-BB6A. This new timepiece faithful to the DNA of its manufacture is equipped with a generous 45 mm case in titanium and is as modern looking as it gets. However, it is hard to not confuse the looks of the Neo Bridges with an Arnold & Son or an Angelus. With its movement playing an integral part of the design and the overall look of the watch, the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges priced at $24,000 USD is a very forceful competitor to some of the creations from the Independent brands out there.
News: Pre-Baselworld 2017 Presenting the new Arnold & Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36
In preparation for Baselworld 2017 which is only 12 days away, Arnold & Son just released the new Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36. Symmetry and skeletonization are two traits that should come to mind whenever Arnold & Son is mentioned, and the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is certainly no exception. Drawing inspiration from the John Arnold pocket chronometer No. 1/36, which will mark its 240th anniversary in 2018, the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is a commemorative creation leading up to the milestone year for the historically significant John Arnold chronometer.
Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date. Hands-on with a Retro-Looking Watch Perfectly Suited for Water Activities.
The Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date with in-house calibre 37-02 was launched at Baselworld 2014 and we brought you the news here. This time, we bring you our in-depth hands-on review and some stunning images as we enjoyed this timepiece underwater. The Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date is powered by the newly developed column wheel chronograph movement Glashütte Original Calibre 37-02 and represents a perfect addition to the Seventies collection.
Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar Grand Feu Enamel Dial. Hands-on with an Exceptional Quantieme Annuel.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Marine collection, Ulysse Nardin released the Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar 'Grand Feu' Enamel dial less than two months ago at the SIHH 2017. This exceptional timepiece featuring a 30-minute chronograph and an annual calendar —one of the most noble complications that sits right in between a Perpetual Calendar and a Date function watch— is one that requires adjustment only once a year in February. While an annual calendar cannot be compared with a perpetual calendar, for those wanting a very functional and less expensive complication, this is the way to go.
