Released at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, we were finally able to get our hands on the new Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition during Baselworld 2017. Since many of you might mistaken this new watch with the Zenith El Primero Range Rover Special Edition, let's clarify that there are two different watches released by Zenith in partnership with Land Rover.
Experience: Five Picks from the Upcoming Phillips Watches Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE. Our Live Pictures of Exceptionally Rare Timepieces.
Always a joy to stop by Phillips in New York City and spend time with Mr. Aurel Bacs and his team. After a Monday morning very well spent with our friends at Phillips Watches a week ago, here are five picks from the upcoming Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE to be conducted by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo at the Hotel La Réserve in Geneva, Switzerland on May 13th and 14th, 2017. As you guys know, Phillips Watches is now the benchmark when it comes to watch auctions after several record-breaking auctions in Geneva and Hong Kong.
News: Presenting the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Water in Stainless Steel. As Good as it Gets.
Today, we bring you some very exciting news as Armin Strom has now released a stainless steel version of their Mirrored Force Resonance watch. The new Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Water features a stainless steel case measuring 43.40 mm in diameter and equipped with a navy blue hornback strap and an additional rubber strap with deployant double-folding clasp.
Watch Shopping Guide: Hong Kong "The Watch Shopping Capital of the World". Easily More Watch Shops than New York, London and Las Vegas Combined.
If you thought Las Vegas, New York or London were really impressive from a watch shopping standpoint, wait till you read this article about Hong Kong, a city that here at WCL we can assertively name: "The watch shopping capital of the world." While Hong Kong is very impressive from many angles, the number of watch shops, watch authorized dealers and watch brand boutiques is simply massive and unlike any other city in the world. After our visit to Hong Kong, we can even venture to say that this city has more watch authorized dealers and watch shops than London, New York and Las Vegas combined.
Breaking News: Breitling is Acquired by CVC Capital Partners for $870 Million USD
After a long time hearing rumors and rumblings that Breitling was up for sale, CVC Capital Partners has confirmed acquiring Breitling SA today with a deal to formally close in June of 2017. CVC Capital is one of the world’s leading private equity and investment advisory firms. Founded in 1981, CVC today employs over 420 people throughout Europe, Asia and the US. Investors in more than 45 different business across a variety of industries including Retail, Telecommunications, Online Sports Betting, CPG, Lottery, Energy, Musical Production and Insurance amongst others.
Rare Bird: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Moonphase Aventurine Dial. Not Your Run-of-the-Mill Speedy.
Every once in a while, we run into discontinued references or watches that are just really hard to find and that we like to call 'rare birds'. This time, we are talking about an Omega Speedmaster that captivated everyone when it was launched a few years ago and that is now discontinued and quite hard to find. Since we all know how iconic is the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional —after being part of all six lunar missions—, we'll go straight to what makes this watch so special.
Arnold & Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36. Hands-on with a Stunning Timepiece with Spectacular Finishes.
A watch that we really enjoyed reviewing in the metal while we were attending Baselworld 2017 was the new Arnold & Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36. This watch where symmetry and skeletonization are the name of the game is one of the best examples of the impressive work that comes out of the Arnold & Son workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
MB&F Legacy Machine No. 1 LM1 Final Edition. Hands-on with the First and Last Stainless Steel LM1.
For the very first time and for its final edition, the MB&F Legacy Machine No. 1 LM1 gets a stainless steel case. This Final Edition closes the chapter for the MB&F LM1 which is also available in a 33-piece limited edition in platinum, in a 13-piece limited edition in titanium for the M.A.D Gallery Dubai, in 18K white gold and in 18K red gold. First launched in 2011, the Legacy Machine No. 1 —LM1— is a tribute to the great innovators of traditional watchmaking...
Breguet Classique Moonphase ref. 7787 'Grand Feu' Enamel Dial. Hands-on with a Classic, Elegant and Timeless Looking Watch.
One of the most classic looking watches released this Baselworld 2017 is the new Breguet Classique Moonphase ref. 7787 with 'Grand Feu' enamel dial. This timepiece along with the ref. 7147 we featured here, are the two latest 'Grand Feu' enamel dial watches from Breguet. Featuring a 39 mm case in 18K white gold with the traditional fluted caseband, a signature element of Breguet timepieces and a dial in 'Grand Feu' enamel, the new Breguet Classique Moonphase ref. 7787 is as elegant as it gets.
Watch Goodies: Officine Panerai Pendulette Teak Desk Clock OP 6676 PAM 254. Owning One is a Paneristi Dream Come True.
There are desk clocks and then there's this particular clock. The Officine Panerai Pendulette teak wood desk clock PAM 254 is one of those items typically reserved for authorized dealers and one that we've seen in person only a handful of times. The clock, is very maritime looking —similar to a porthole— and typically available in satin brushed finish or black.
Breitling Superocean Héritage II Ceramic Bezel. Hands-on with the Watch that Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Superocean.
If you like diving watches you surely are a fan of the Breitling Superocean line. While the new Breitling Superocean Héritage II with ceramic bezel is no Rolex Submariner or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, this watch has everything to become your favorite companion on land and sea. Originally launched in 1957 during the boom of diving watches, the Breitling Superocean was rapidly adopted by the first enthusiasts of leisure diving and today, it has received a facelift. While this facelift wasn't really that necessary, the watch is now bigger and better.
Hublot Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chrono. Hands-on with the Watch that Celebrates Ferrari's 70th Anniversary.
To celebrate Ferrari's 70th anniversary, Hublot has released the Techframi Ferrari Tourbillon Chronograph, a watch conceived with the same approach used for designing a car at the Ferrari Design Centre and integrating Hublot’s watchmaking expertise, the Techframe Ferrari 70 years Tourbillon Chronograph opens a new chapter in the partnership that unites Hublot and Ferrari. Available in three versions —18K King Gold, PEEK Carbon like the one we are reviewing here and in Titanium — produced in a limited edition of 70 pieces for each version.
News: Julien Tornare Appointed New CEO of Zenith Watches. An Industry Veteran Coming from Vacheron Constantin.
Earlier today, Mr. Jean-Claude Biver, President of the Watches Division at LVMH and President of the Board of Directors at Zenith watches, announced the appointment of Julien Tornare as CEO of Zenith, effective May 1st, 2017. Mr. Julien Tornare a veteran coming from Vacheron Constantin will report to Mr. Jean-Claude Biver. In this role, Mr. Tornare will be focusing on the renewal of Zenith, developing its markets and activating its marketing initiatives.
Experience: Penhaligon's Portraits The Tragedy of Lord George. As Powerful and Classic as a Rolex GMT Master Batman.
The Penhaligon's Portraits collection is one of the most unique sets of fragrances from this brand and one in which the characters of each fragrance are all related and part of a fictitious very British affair that involves love, betrayal and nobility. Penhaligon's describes Lord George as a wealthy and noble man, an aristocrat that immediately reminded us of Bruce Wayne with his alter ego Batman, perfectly epitomized by the Rolex GMT Master II ref. 116710 BLNR a.k.a Batman —full review here.
News: Ulysse Nardin Diver Le Locle. A Modern Interpretation of a Reference from 1964.
Paying homage to Ulysse Nardin’s past with new versions of beautiful classics, today, the brand released the new Ulysse Nardin Diver Le Locle watch that celebrates the illustrious UN history with resolutely modern aplomb. Inspired by a model from 1964, this new diving watch might look like the vintage original, but the technology behind its mechanical movement is pure modernity.
Greubel Forsey Balancier. Hands-on with the Watch with a 12.6 Millimeter Balance Wheel and the Latest Creation by this Manufacture.
When a watch collector hears or reads the name Greubel Forsey, he/she knows that any timepiece bearing this name is a handmade horological creation like no other and synonym of the pinnacle of modern watchmaking. With a production of no more than 1,100 watches in the course of their 14-year history, Greubel Forsey just released their latest creation: the Balancier.
Patek Philippe ref. 5396R-015 with Blue Dial and Baguette Diamond Markers. Live Pictures, Hands-on & Price.
While we are not crazy about diamonds on men's watches here at WCL, when it comes to Patek Philippe it is a different story. After the release of the ref. 5396G-014 last year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this reference, this year at Baselworld 2017, Patek released two new versions of the reference 5396 in 18K rose gold with blue dial. While the new ref. 5396R-014 sports a blue dial with gold markers, the ref. 5396R-015 we have here, comes with the same hue of blue as ref. 5396R-014 but with baguette diamond markers.
Hublot Big Bang MECA-10 18K King Gold. Hands-on with the Newest Addition to the Big Bang MECA-10 Family.
First released at Baselworld 2016, this year at Baselworld 2017, Hublot added two new iterations of the Big Bang MECA-10 which is now also available in Full Magic Gold and in King Gold. Fitted with a 10-day power reserve and a brand new in-house movement that took two years to fully develop from start to end, this watch features an atypical architecture with meccano-type design and also available in micro-blasted titanium and in an 'All Black' limited edition of 500 pieces in polished and micro-blasted black ceramic.
Baselworld 2017: Breguet Classique Grand Feu Enamel ref. 7147. Live Pictures, Hands-on & Price.
Featuring a 40 mm case in 18K white gold with delicately fluted caseband and a dial in Grand Feu enamel, the new Breguet Classique ref. 7147 is the epitome of elegance in a time-only watch that contains all the signature elements of this manufacture. The Grand Feu enamel dial featuresArabic numerals in the traditional Breguet typeface and a small recessed off-centered seconds subdial at 5 o'clock.
Baselworld 2017: Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante Split Seconds Chronograph. Live Pictures, Hands-on & Price.
One of the most important releases at Baselworld 2017 is the new Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante Split Seconds chronograph. This new watch powered by a true in-house split seconds movement fully developed and manufactured at Breitling is available in 18K red gold or stainless steel at a very affordable price. Developed in the spirit of instruments for professionals, this Manufacture Breitling Caliber B03 protected by two patents is distinguished by its innovative construction ensuring a maximum of precision, sturdiness and reliability.
