Frederique Constant Renewing Its Manufacture Heartbeat

Frederique Constant Renewing Its Manufacture Heartbeat

News
One of the most remarkable stories in the wold of watch is that of the Frederique Constant Heartbeat! In 1994 the then very young brand, introduced the signature heartbeat dial to show off the mechanical movement in a more dramatic way on the front of the watch. It was an instant hit, that has been often imitated, yet never quite with the same refinement as Frederique Constant did it. Even when the story would have stopped just there, it would have been quite extraordinary, but it doesn't. While Frederique Constant actually started out making classical watches with third-party movements, in 2004 they introduced their very first manufacture movement! Of course what was more fitting then to put it into a heartbeat model? We are now a generous decade later, and…
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Movado Introduces Heritage Collection With Calendoplan

Movado Introduces Heritage Collection With Calendoplan

News
Movado has a heritage that goes far beyond the famed Museum Watch. One of the watches on which this heritage is build is the Calendoplan. As the name already indicates, the date-function was the big appeal of the watch. This is also because the watch was on the market in the 1950's, a date-function wasn't as standard as it is today. [caption id="attachment_1724" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 1950's Movado Calendoplan[/caption] The modern Calendoplan comes in two versions: A time-only and a chronograph. The time-only is fitted in a 40mm case, with vintage inspired lugs. Unlike its predecessor, is the modern Calendoplan fitted with a central seconds hand. The triangle shaped hour markers give the watch character, and Movado matches the date-wheel to the dial color. Especially on a watch named "Calendoplan" a…
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Alpina Introduces Alpiner GMT Business Timer

Alpina Introduces Alpiner GMT Business Timer

News
GMT watches are a Watchisthis?! favorite, so when Alpina announced the Alpiner GMT Business Timer this got our attention. Now, the Alpiner GMT already exists. It is part of Alpina's "4" collection. The principles of this collection date back to 1938 when Alpina founder Gottlieb Hauser introduced the first "Alpina 4". In order to handle the extreme conditions of all the Alpine sports, from high altitude mountain climbing to alpine lake diving, he set out four criteria to which all his watches needed to stand up to: Anti-shock Water-resistant Anti-magnetic Stainless steel The Alpined GMT meets them all, but is especially handy when you travel with the watch. Alpina redesigned the 24-hour ring, and indicated standard business hours on it in red. This makes it that when ever you are…
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Valachio Takes The Next Step With The Avantiam

Valachio Takes The Next Step With The Avantiam

News
After celebrating his big success with the Pantiam Jack Zhang was ready for the next step and took it with the Avantiam. Another tier up on the watchmaking pyramid, the Avantiam has some design clues of the Pantiam, but is mostly a fresh and new design. With the open heart movement and dial, it is hard to miss that this Valachio runs on an automatic movement. In fact it is Miyota's caliber 90S5, which features hacking seconds as well as manual winding. Where the dial on the Pantiam was very minimalist, the Avantiam features a Bauhaus inspired design. There are two versions: a rose gold plated case with a white dial and red seconds hand and uneven hour markers. The other one is a black dialed version, fitted in a…
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Meet The New TAG-Heuer Link Ladies

Meet The New TAG-Heuer Link Ladies

News
The Link has become one of TAG-Heuer's iconic designs that even seduced Jason Bourne. On an everlasting quest to stay current the brand introduces the new Link Ladies.   It is actually hard to believe that the Link-collection was first introduced in 1987! That makes it almost three decades old, yet regular updates have kept the model still fresh. The new TAG-Heuer Link Ladies is no difference. It's design has been made a bit more abstract, and more in-line with the men's model. The design definitely very strong! It is very fresh and current, yet you still recognize the original link in the design. The case is 32mm which is a very nice size, and adds to the versatility of the watch. It can be comfortably worn on a daily…
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Latest Issue Watchisthis?! Magazine Out Now!

Latest Issue Watchisthis?! Magazine Out Now!

Magazine, News
Nothing gives us at Watchisthis?! more pleasure than the launch of a new issue of our magazine! With this issue we continue to explore the world of affordable watches for you, and uncover creative new micro-brands, as well as speak with the CEO's of the leading brands. [caption id="attachment_1679" align="aligncenter" width="900"] TAG-Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver[/caption] We talked with marketing-legend, and current TAG-Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver about the brand and smart-watches. We also talked with Jin Nonogami, who founded the innovate smart-watch brand Veldt Watches. Their insights contribute greatly to a better understanding of the way the market is changing! [caption id="attachment_1680" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The Porthole by Pheidippides watches[/caption] In this issue also a lot of micro-brands, from the very creative Pheidippides, the bronze cases of Regia, the unusual regulator of…
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Estonia 1918: Celebrating With A Special Watch

Estonia 1918: Celebrating With A Special Watch

News
Creating a watch is one thing, but doing so to commemorate the centennial anniversary of your country is a whole other thing. Yet that is exactly what Tõnis Leissoo did when he created the Wõitleja. This watch is limited to....you guessed it!...100 pieces! Such a celebration asks for a special watch and Leissoo seems to have no problem delivering just that! In a military inspired design, he created a watch that makes quite a visual impression. This is a direct reference to the war of independence that Estonia fought. Crafted from CuSn8 Bronze the case is 44mm in diameter and secured with special, titanium screws in all four corners. The craftsmanship on the case is of a ridiculous high level, and made in Estonia! Inside the watch ticks an upgraded…
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Apple Watch Series 2: We Told You So!

Apple Watch Series 2: We Told You So!

News
Today Apple held one of their famous press conferences. While most attention was focused on the new iPhone 7, Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 2. Many of the predictions I made earlier actually came true! The Apple Watch Series 2 comes with GPS, and is water-resistant to 50 meters. Its packed now with a dual core, and the display can set twice as bright as the previous version. And of course it will be fitter with watchOS3, but when you have an "old" Apple watch you will get that too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2_O6M1m6xg Are these updates enough to let the Apple watch stand out? Regain market, or even maintain their current position? That is all to be seen, because the battle for the  smartwatch consumer is really heating up! Samsung…
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Anticipating The Gruman Sputnik

Anticipating The Gruman Sputnik

News
One of the watches I am really looking forward to be launched is the Gruman Sputnik. The watch is actually inspired by Russian Special Forces and spy agencies. No wonder that the watch has a generous doses of Bond (or actually his literary opponents) in its genes, and is not afraid to show it! Although clearly a sports watch, the good people at Gruman fortunately restrained themselves in terms of diameters. Bigger is not always better, but a 42mm diameter for a watch like this is near perfect for most people. Also the height of 13mm makes it that the watch can still be a comfortable choice for us civilians! The Sputnik comes as two different models: a time-only and a GMT-version, both available in four different color scheme's. Both…
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Moonphase And Manufacture: Frederique Constant’s Latest

Moonphase And Manufacture: Frederique Constant’s Latest

News
Yes, the only new thing on the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture is the dial. So why do we still feature it on Wathisthis?! Because it is the perfect example of how important such details are, and the impact that they have on the overall look. Yes it can even change the experience you have with a watch! Now, the Frederique Constant Moonphase Manufacture is already not a shabby watch to begin with. The word manufacture in its name already says it all. The automatic caliber that powers the watch, FC-705, is made completely in-house by Frederique Constant. At this price point, quite unique, especially since they didn't stop there. The FC-705 is cleverly designed and features for example a full bridge over the balance wheel for the best stability.…
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