The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270 was originally launched at Baselworld 2011 to replace the iconic Patek reference 5970. Some of the main differences between the ref. 5970 and the ref. 5270 includes a bigger case measuring 41 mm vs. 39 mm on the ref. 5970 and an in-house movement powering the ref. 5270 instead of the Lemania 2310-based CH27 calibre in the ref. 5970. Additionally, there are some other changes on the dial of the ref. 5270G-018 when compared to its predecessor.
News: Watches & Wonders 2020 Will Take Place Online Beginning April 25th
In light of the unprecedented challenges we are all facing, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie —FHH— has accelerated the digitalization of its Watches & Wonders concept and will be able to launch a new online platform on April 25th at watchesandwonders.com. Featuring 30 of the world’s leading fine watch brands including A. Lange & Söhne, Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, HYT, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, MB&F, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin amongst others, the FHH’s site will provide an unparalleled opportunity to discover the watchmaking universe, as well as the newest watch introductions for 2020. A robust offering of customizable content, curated by the FHH, will also ensure a vibrant educational experience for all watch enthusiasts.
News: Presenting the Breitling Superocean Heritage '57 Capsule Collection
Breitling announces the launch of its Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection, whose watches take their design inspiration from the brand’s original Superocean from 1957. They also embody the cool, laid-back surfing lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s. Breitling’s Capsule Collections are produced for a limited time and consequently in a limited volume, but the watches are not numbered. They give the brand a chance to tell specific stories rooted in the history of its core collection, and the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection watches definitely have their own stories to tell.
News: Presenting the New Breitling Chronomat Collection
The Chronomat holds a significant place in Breitling’s history. When the Breitling Chronomat was launched in 1984, it marked a welcome return to mechanical Swiss watches, which had all but disappeared when quartz watches dominated the marketplace in the 1970s. Breitling had used the name Chronomat for some of its 1940s watches, and, in those early days, the word was a portmanteau of “chronograph for mathematics”. The 1984 Chronomat expressed something different: “chronograph” and “automatic”, a name that called attention to the self-winding mechanical movement.
Breaking News: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chopard, Chanel, and Tudor Leave Baselworld
Today, April 14, 2020, it was just announced by the Fondation Haute Horlogerie —FHH— that Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard, and Tudor will no longer participate in Baselworld and will create a new trade show in Geneva in collaboration with the FHH. The new trade show will be somehow linked to Watches & Wonders Geneva and will also take place at the Palexpo in 2021. With this announcement, the demise of Baselworld is right around the corner, especially after the recent decisions MCH Group —Baselworld’s Organizer— has made regarding reimbursement of monies to the exhibitors after Baselworld 2020 was cancelled back in February.
Eye Candy: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar in Platinum
TGIF —thank God it’s Friday. The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is without a doubt a masterpiece of horology and one of our favorite watches out there. This watch unveiled in 2013 received two prizes the same year at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève — the Grande Complication Prize and the Public Prize. Available in Platinum or Pink Gold this watch is stunning in either metal. Fitted with a case measuring 41.9 mm in diameter —not 42 mm as German engineering calls for the utmost precision—, the craftsmanship is just out of this world.
News: Presenting the Panerai Radiomir Mediterraneo Editions PAM 1078 and PAM 1144
Today, Panerai is unveiling a new collection composed of three new watches and two have been released so far. Both watches feature a deep blue sunburst dial that evokes the blue tones of the Mediterranean Sea after the collection has been named. A 42 mm stainless steel Radiomir PAM 1144 and a 45 mm Radiomir PAM 1078. Both watches are delivered on a dark blue alligator strap with beige contrast stitching.
News: Presenting the HYT H0 All Black
This new member of the H0 family uses the power of monochrome to present a distraction-free view of fluidic time. HYT challenges the horological convention of affording midnight and midday artificial importance. Instead, a focus on the hour of six o’clock encourages contemplation of alternative turning points in the day. The HYT H0 All-Black features orange superluminova in its capillary.
Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Burgundy Red
Paying tribute to the original and first Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso launched in 1931, the JLC Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in stainless steel with burgundy red dial is one of the sexiest watches out there and for sure one of our favorites. In a hue that could also be described as ‘ox-blood’ color, the watch features an iconic Casa Fagliano matching red strap. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was originally launched in 1931 as a convenient watch for polo players. The purpose of the Reverso was to be able to maintain the front of the watch protected during a polo match by virtue of swiveling and exposing a solid case back on the front. A perfect example of the Art Deco movement, the JLC Reverso is also one of the most iconic timepieces of all time.
Insider: Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar ref. 5000T in 18K rose gold
Released in October of 2016 in platinum, there is now a new version of this watch in 18K rose gold that was released at the SIHH 2017. The new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar ref. 5000T/000R-B304 is an exceptional timepiece in 18K rose gold that is as pure as it gets in terms of design and unequivocal elegance. Equipped with the new in-house Vacheron Constantin Calibre 1142 QP and cased in a generous 43 mm, the newest grand complication from Vacheron Constantin combines the chronograph and the perpetual calendar.
From the Archives: Vacheron Constantin Cory Richards Overseas Dual Time Prototype
For Cory Richards, professional photographer and long-distance explorer, the world is brimming with discoveries of which one never tires. Among his many journeys, the Himalayas occupy a special place in the heart of this experienced mountaineer who has already conquered it twice, once without oxygen in 2016. Never short of a challenge, he was keen to undertake a third ascent, this time along the North-East ridge in Tibet, one of the most difficult routes to the roof of the world. Unfortunately, weather conditions decided otherwise.
Rare Bird: F.P. Journe Centigraphe CT Souverain Rose Gold
While we are unaware of the total production numbers for the F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain, it is very likely that François-Paul Journe didn’t create more than a few hundred of one of his most special watches. Due to its rarity and limited production numbers we are granting it the status of a rare bird here at WCL. Revered as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 21st century along with names like Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilainen and Stephen Forsey, François-Paul Journe started designing his vision of contemporary watchmaking back in 1999.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf in Green
Who wants to carry a pencil and a scorecard at the golf course, when you can just keep track of your score on your wrist. After a successful release in 2018, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf is now dressed in green like the grass of the narrow fairways at Pebble Beach or the treacherous greens at Augusta. The second iteration of the Big Bang Golf was first presented at the LVMH Dubai Week 2020, exactly two years after the first Big Bang Unico Golf made its appearance with a white/grayish carbon and texalium case at the time.
News: Presenting the Breitling Top Time Limited Edition
And now, Breitling is reintroducing the Top Time, a collectors’ favorite with one of the most recognizable dials in all of watchmaking. More than half a century after introducing its Top Time watch ref. 2003, Breitling is launching an updated and upgraded model. Like the 1960s model that inspired it, the new Breitling Top Time has an unconventional design that makes a bold style statement. A first glance at the dial, which has long been known to collectors as the Zorro dial, makes it clear that this is a watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. But that playful face doesn’t disguise the superb chronograph performance, which is pure Breitling.
Insider: Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Rolex Daytona Project
If regular stainless steel Rolex Daytonas seem scarce nowadays, just imagine how hard it is to run into a modified Rolex Daytona like the Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Daytona we are talking about. Artisans de Genève is a watchmaking workshop based in Geneva, Switzerland that offers exclusive service of watch modification for private customers. Their modifications are made exclusively upon request, at their workshops in Switzerland, all done by independent and highly skilled watchmakers
News: Presenting the Audemars Piguet [Re]master01 Selfwinding Chronograph
People are very cognizant of the design shakeup that took place in the 1970s and in the early 2000s. However, creative expressions of case form and dial design have occurred during every decade of our history. For the new Audemars Piguet [Re]master01, the brand is exploring the strength and elegance of one of their chronograph wristwatches from 1943 through the prism of 2020. This is not a historic reissue but a contemporary remastering of one of their past creations.
News: Presenting the MB&F HM10 Bulldog. Available in Titanium and Red Gold.
The relationship between man and watch is as nuanced as the one between man and dog. Therefore, MB&F has decided to launch a new timepiece to celebrate this relationship. The new MB&F HM10 Bulldog features a rounded, compact body of titanium or red gold, coupled with a generous ration of sapphire crystal. Two prominent aluminum time-display ‘eyes’, rolling at anyone who dares look its way. A collar studded with projections that allow you to wind the mainspring or set the time. Stout but flexible ‘legs’ that wrap firmly around your wrist. A massive jaw. And above all, a big heart beating steadily at 2.5Hz —18,000vph.
News: Presenting the Breguet Marine Running Equation ref. 5887 Rose Gold
Following their unique heritage, Breguet launched the Marine Running Equation ref. 5887 in platinum during Baselworld 2017. Three years later, we present you with a new iteration of this Grande Complication that marks the start of a new era for the contemporary Marine collection. The new Marine Running Equation ref. 5887 —Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante ref. 5887— in a 43.9 mm rose gold case combines the bold and sporty aesthetic that has always marked the Breguet Marine line with a highly complicated movement and the finest hand decoration.
Rare Bird: IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galápagos Islands Edition
One of the coolest watches out there and one of our favorite almost blacked out timepieces is the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos Islands Edition ref. IW376705. This timepiece is the first watch in the industry to be fully coated in rubber since the release of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad that came out in 2002 with only its bezel coated in rubber. The Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos features a 44 mm stainless steel vulcanized in black rubber making it a totally stealthy watch. Released in 2009, this watch made a statement about a new partnership for the environment when IWC signed an agreement with the Charles Darwin Foundation.
News: Presenting the Breguet Classique ref. 7137 and Classique ref. 7337
Thanks to its mastery in the art of engine-turning, Breguet has given two iconic models from its Classique collection, the 7137 and the 7337, a new look. These new models come in rose gold with a silvered gold dial and, on a more contemporary note, in white gold with a gold dial in “Breguet blue” color.
