The Astronomia Dragon is a truly unique, groundbreaking timepiece that elevates the art of watchmaking combining the highest level of Swiss timepiece craftsmanship and the horological decorative arts to create a watch that is a poetic visual rendering of the celestial world with every element in constant, visible motion, all under the control of the oscillator at the heart of the three-axis tourbillon with an orbital display of the hours and minutes. This timepiece is fitted with an 18K rose gold case that looks more like a cage that holds six sapphire crystals throughout the top, bottom, caseband and in between the lugs.
Insider: Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Flat ref. 5367. One of the Most Classic Looking Watches.
Endowed with a 41 mm round case in either rose gold or platinum, the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Flat ref. 5367 is one of the most exquisite timepieces released by this manufacture in the past couple of years. Its ultra slender case measuring less than 8 mm in thickness —7.45 mm to be precise—, makes this watch one of the thinnest tourbillons in the market. Cloaked in white with a grand feu enamel dial with the classic Breguet numerals and the iconic blued steel Breguet hands, the tourbillon opening takes the center stage in a unconventional position between 4 and 5 o’clock. Rounded out by a dark brown alligator strap, this watch is as dressy as it gets.
News: IWC, Panerai and A. Lange & Söhne Open Boutiques in Chicago. A First for all three Brands.
IWC, Panerai and A. Lange & Söhne announced today the opening of their new boutiques in Chicago. Situated in Chicago’s coveted Gold Coast Historic District, all three storefronts will be centrally located in the heart of the city at the famed Waldorf Astoria, just a few steps away from Oak Street Beach. This key city is a first for all three brands who have chosen to set down roots in America’s third most populous city because of the passionate collector community and rich culture. At nearly 10 million inhabitants, ‘The Windy City’ attracts an average of 35 million visitors every year. The three boutiques are located at 11 East Walton Street, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and will be operated by Burdeen’s Jewelry. Burdeen’s has served the Chicago area since 1980.
News: Breitling Announces Sponsorship of Professional Golfer Gary Woodland
Breitling has appointed professional golfer Gary Woodland as a new "Friend of the Brand" in the United States. Woodland has competed on the PGA Tour since 2009, has four wins, most recently winning the U.S. Open in 2019, his first major championship and sixth professional victory. In honor of his recent U.S. Open victory, the 119 th U.S. Open in history, Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert presented Mr. Woodland with a special Breitling Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 46 USA Limited Edition, the #119 of only 200 made. The Breitling Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 46 USA Limited Edition features a steel case, black bezel and green dial on a steel Ocean Classic bracelet.
Insider: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Chronograph. A Great Watch Under $10K for Chrono Lovers.
If you like chronographs and you are looking for one that doesn’t break the bank and in the under $10K USD range, the Carl F. Bucherer Chrono is a perfect watch that not only appears much pricier than its actual price tag but also one that offers a clean and very understated look. A watch available in three versions —stainless steel with grey dial and 18K red gold with either black or champagne colored dial— and equipped with a flyback chronograph mechanism. Featuring a mirror polished round case measuring 43 mm in diameter and a double domed sapphire crystal the Manero Flyback Chronograph is very vintage looking and great looking, especially for under $10K USD.
News: Presenting the Panerai Submersible Goldtech PAM 974. A New Gold Alloy for the Brand.
Back in 2017, Panerai released the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Oro Rosso PAM 684 which was the first Panerai Submersible with a 42 mm case in red gold and a water resistance to a depth of 100 meters. Today, two years later, Panerai presents the Submersible Goldtech PAM 974 also in 42 mm but with a case made out of Goldtech. This new gold alloy, unlike standard gold, is made with a percentage of copper and platinum that imbues the material with a rich and intense red hue, one that is both strikingly modern and uniquely timeless.
Eye Candy: Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain. The Smallest Case Size for the Brand in a 33-piece Limited Edition.
In creating the Balancier Contemporain, Greubel Forsey imagined providing a particularly compact showcase for its exclusive balance-wheel system. Creating such a moderately-sized new movement and dial imposed the challenge of maintaining well-balanced forms and pleasing proportions, along with clear legibility and cutting-edge performance. Available in a 33-piece limited edition in white gold, this highly original creation is distinguished by its 39.6 mm case diameter, a first from Greubel Forsey which generally makes much larger timepieces. The challenge here was not only to house the large balance wheel within a limited space, but above all to achieve optimal proportions and an attractive three-dimensional construction, as well as safeguarding the emblematic aesthetic codes of the timepieces built within the atelier.
Insider: De Bethune DB28 Kind of Gold. A Highly Exclusive 10-Piece Limited Edition for the U.S. Market.
The De Bethune DB28 Kind of Gold is a very exclusive 10-piece limited edition exclusively available for the U.S. market. A watch that clearly embraces the principles and values of the manufacture, this time is fitted with a 5N rose gold round shaped middle case with a diameter 42.60 mm and a thickness of 9.20 mm, featuring the traditional short and long floating lugs in mirrored polished blued grade 5 titanium. The finish of the middle case and the floating lugs is as exceptional as it gets and the blued openworked dial and lugs create an endless symphony against the warm tones of the 5N rose gold middle case.
News: Presenting the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Right-Hander. A 250-Piece Limited Edition.
In a first for the company, IWC Schaffhausen has released a new version of its coveted Big Pilot’s Watch to be worn on the right wrist. This special edition of the classic IWC is the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Right-hander.” Featuring a new twist, the positioning of the iconic, conical-shaped crown, which is located on the left-hand side of the case. The “Right-hander” is much more practical to operate for those who wear their watch on the right wrist. Given that almost 40% of pilots are thought to be left-handed, and therefore wear their watches on the right, it is a fitting development for this IWC line, which has such a rich history in the field of aviation.
Experience: Hermès Tonight Belt. Understated, Refined and Versatile Like a Royal Oak.
If you are a lover of all things Hermès and the Constance H belt seems now too popular for you to wear as everyone and their mother wears one, don’t worry. Not long ago, the brand with the gorgeous orange boxes released one of our all time favorite H-shaped belts. The latest by Hermès is the Tonight belt. Featuring a palladium plated buckle and a Togo calfskin leather reversible strap this buckle is just an outline of the famous letter ‘H’ so that you can see the color of your belt strap through it.
News: Audemars Piguet to Open Boutique in Atlanta with Watches of Switzerland
With boutiques firmly established in New York, Las Vegas, East Hampton, Bal Harbour and Beverly Hills, Audemars Piguet will open an exciting new boutique in Atlanta, Georgia. In a natural and auspicious pairing, the brand will partner with The Watches of Switzerland Group for the brand’s latest location in the popular Lenox Square shopping center that will open at the end of July. Since 1959, Lenox Square has been the premier shopping destination for high-end shoppers in the Southeast. Located in the heart of the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Lenox Square offers an unparalleled shopping experience.
Experience: Leopine Kelly's Nightmare Swim Trunks. For Members of the 'No Waiting List Club'.
If you are an avid reader of WCL, you know that when it comes to swimwear we are suckers for Vilebrequin and nothing else. Despite that, we had to give Leopine swim trunks a try, no matter what. Leopine is a relatively newish brand that started selling swimwear and pocket squares a couple of years ago. With one of his founders totally immersed in the watch industry, they decided to launch a line that would cater to watch collectors by adding subtle horological touches to their swimsuits, socks and pocket squares. Designed in Barcelona and made in Portugal, Leopine offers products for those in the ‘No Waiting List Club’.
From the Editor: What Makes the AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar the Perfect Daily Wearer?
Perpetual calendars come in all forms, shapes, metals and prices. However, few brands stand out from the rest as far as their perpetual calendars in terms of history, reliability and prestige. When you are looking for a perpetual calendar the first brand names that pop up would be Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin as these make the ‘holy trinity of watchmaking’. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual —Quantième Perpétuel— ref. 26574 was released at the end of 2015 and since then, it holds ‘watch grail status’.
News: Jaeger-LeCoultre Main Sponsor of the 76th Venice International Film Festival
Maintaining its commitment to the culture of filmmaking and the preservation of cinematic heritage, La Grande Maison will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its partnership with the Venice International Film Festival this year. As main sponsor of the Film Festival, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be actively involved in all of its highlights, adorning the stars with its finest timepieces and presenting a personalized Reverso watch to the winners of the most prestigious awards: Best Film —Leone d’Oro, the Golden Lion Award—, Best Actress and Best Actor of the year —Coppa Volpi Awards— and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement —Leone d’Oro alla carriera.
Experience: Porsche Macan. The Perfect Summer Ride without Compromising on Power and Exhaust Sound.
Swapping a Porsche 911 Carrera S —991— for a Porsche Macan Sport Chrono Package seems like an awful thing to do. While you are forfeiting 152 horsepower as the Macan comes with only 248 hp versus 400 hp on the Carrera S, you are getting a lot more in terms of practicality, functionality, and space without compromising on the fact that you are still driving one helluva Porsche. Furthermore, if you choose to go with a Macan S, a Turbo, a GTS or even a Macan Sport Chrono Package, the sound of its exhaust won’t let you down, as all of these options come with the PSE —Porsche Sport Exhaust— system. In terms of torque, speed and sound, the Macan doesn’t let you down.
Eye Candy: Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF Limited Edition. Monochromatic Vibes and a Very Understated Look.
The chic aura exuded by contemporary gentlemen is based on respect for rules, as well as refined transgression of the latter. With its offset small seconds appearing at 7 o’clock, a signature feature of the Chopard L.U.C Twist series within the L.U.C collection, the L.U.C XPS Twist QF in ethically certified “Fairmined” 18K white gold comes in a 250-piece limited edition. Slim on the wrist with a very wearable 40 mm case and a circular satin brushed dial in graphite gray the rich texture of the dial makes for a very elegant timepiece.
Experience: Berd Vay'e Lost in Time Sculpture. A Crystal Clear Skull Filled with Vintage Watch Parts.
Berd Vay’e is the brainchild of two dynamic individuals with decades of experience in the fine watch and jewelry industry. The pair combined a shared fascination which began at a young age with watchmaking and the harmony in which watch components work together to inspire art lovers and watch collectors alike from around the world. These two artisans have sourced and continue to source thousands of vintage watches and watch components from around the globe with the final goal of the preserving their venerable history in precious Lucite. They passionately seek out new design inspiration from the world of horology. The name "Berd Vay’e" represents a culmination of syllables from the designer's names, an homage to their each of their personal passions for horology itself.
News: Presenting the MB&F Legacy Machine No. 2 Red Gold Blue. Limited Edition of 12 Pieces.
Initially launched in 2013, the MB&F Legacy Machine No. 2 was only available in 18K white gold with dark grey dial, 18K rose gold with silver dial, a limited edition of 18 pieces in platinum with blue dial and in an 18-piece limited edition in titanium with its strikingly beautiful vivid blue greenish dial. Then, a fourth iteration of the MB&F LM2 was released last year 2018 in white gold with an unconventional purple dial. MB&F started using purple as far back as 2011 in their winding rotors on the HM3 Frog Zr, HM5 CarbonMacrolon and on the HM8 Only Watch. Today, six years later from its original launch and less than a year later after the release of the purple edition, MB&F presents the last edition ever of the Legacy Machine No. 2 in an 18K red gold case with a striking blue dial.
News: Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance. Celebrating 10 Years of its Fully Integrated Manufacture.
Continuing to up their game, Armin Strom presents the world’s first and only resonance chiming wristwatch. The new Masterpiece 2 Minute Repeater Resonance offers two incredible complications with its resonance capabilities and a minute repeater. Fitted with two vertically-stacked independent movements; two forms of resonance —oscillators and sound propagation; two independent mainsprings in one barrel; and two top development teams in Armin Strom and Le Cercle des Horlogers for the minute repeater part of things. Limited to only 10 pieces, the Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance celebrates the 10th anniversary of its fully integrated manufacture. Cased in grade 5 titanium, the Masterpiece 2 Minute Repeater Resonance gets its inspiration from Bern’s centuries old chiming tower clock.
Insider: Bell & Ross BR-X1 Phantom. One of the Nicest Watches from this Brand.
Cased in black PVD titanium with matte black ceramic pusher inserts and available in a limited edition of 250 pieces, the new Bell & Ross BR-X1 Phantom is a great looking watch that will fly under the radar with its monochromatic look and stealthy appearance. Designed with a partially skeletonized dial, this is without a doubt one of the best looking Bell & Ross watches out there. Now, the only problem here is that the price tag is very steep considering this is not an in-house movement and a Bell & Ross. Now, despite the price tag the watch is very nicely done and great looking.
