05Nov 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
It’s almost that time of the year again! Swatch Christmas Special

It’s almost that time of the year again! Swatch Christmas Special

News
For such a young brand Swatch has a lot of traditions, and one of them is the Christmas Special. This year the Christmas Special is inspired by lights! And lights are usually not in short supply during this season. Especially those of you who have been able to visit a traditional Christmas market in Europe, will recognize the designs on the strap, as they often feature on the stalls that sell hot chocolate, gluhwein or other delicacies. But Christmas is often also the season in which less is not more. People dress up, enjoy good food and each others company near boldly decorated Christmas trees and cozy fireplaces. To highlight this, the dial, buckle and strap keeper are featured in gold! Hands as red a Rudolph's nose make sure that…
Read More
03Nov 2015 by Martin Green 2 Comments
Hvitsten Christiania; Norwegian Elegance

Hvitsten Christiania; Norwegian Elegance

News
When traveling through the world of affordable watches you sometimes stand in disbelief, like with the Hvitsten Christiania. This watch should not be available for this price. In fact you might even suspect that the price-tag of the Christiania is the result of some market penetration scheme, where the owners have to add 100 euro's of their own money for every watch they sell. The truth is far from that, and actually a clever mix of skilled entrepreneurship, a generous dose of passion, and a clear mind when it comes profit-marigins. That clear mind is probably thanks to the clean and clear air in Hvitsten, Norway. Yes, the brand is named after one of the smallest towns in Norway, but what a town it is. Located by the fjord it…
Read More
29Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
New Classics Index Automatic GMT by Frederique Constant

New Classics Index Automatic GMT by Frederique Constant

News
In a time when the world is a global village people travel for many reasons all over the globe. Frederique Constant has just released a watch to accompany you on your travels. The Classics Index Automatic GMT is the type of watch that Frederique Constant always does so well; not a crazy design breakthrough, but a solid, well made watch with a classical touch and an affordable price tag. As straight forward as the design of the New Classics Index Automatic GMT may be, it is far from boring. The dial features silver-colored (of rose gold for the rose gold-plated version) Roman numerals that are sandwiched between printed minute dashes and the 24 hour scale for the second time zone. Stunning leaf-shaped hands give the watch a slightly more classic…
Read More
28Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
New Raymond Weil Freelancer; The Elegance of an Independent

New Raymond Weil Freelancer; The Elegance of an Independent

News
The Freelancer collection stands actually for what Raymond Weil really is. You might not think of the brand as such, because of its success and scale, but Raymond Weil is still a family owned and operated watch brand. When the current CEO, and grandson of Raymond Weil, Elie Bernheim joined the company in 2006, the freelancer collection was his first creation. Almost a decade later the Freelancer collection has lost none of its appeal. And the latest addition is the perfect example of Urban Chique. 42mm in diameter is still a nice size for a chronograph; easy to read and operate yet not to bulky to interfere with the movements of your wrist. The high polished steel of the case is a nice contrast with the slate grey dial, that…
Read More
27Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
Rock solid; The Americana Project by Brillier

Rock solid; The Americana Project by Brillier

News
Stone dials; often only the creme de la creme of the watchmaking world produces them, and even those in very limited quantities. Yet that is about to change, thanks to the Americana collection by Brillier. Available through Kickstarter the Americana goes even the extra mile by utilizing stone marquetry for their watches. This means that several different types of stone form a mosaic of color and texture. To accomplish this the Americana features a dial that is made from Turquoise, Tiger's eye, Unakite, Blue vain stone and Beige marble. The contrast of colors is absolutely stunning and even highlighted by the silver framing on the dial. In all honest, we also would love to see the watch without, simply because it is quite difficult to cut stone this thin and…
Read More
22Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
Start your Engines! The 3rd edition of the Raidillon Rally!

Start your Engines! The 3rd edition of the Raidillon Rally!

News
Roaring engines, beautiful cars, taking that corner at just the right speed, with your chronograph ticking away the seconds; that is the Raidillon Rally! Belgiums premiere watch brand, with a Swiss heart, was named after the most famous section of the Spa-Francorchamps race track. Unfortunately not all of us drive professional race cars, but Raidillon also knows how to have a whole lot of fun on public roads! No, not the highway from Brussels to Antwerp, but the winding roads through the Belgium Ardennes. A place where the scenery alternates between thick forests and glowing meadows. It was here that 55 pre-1975 cars set off for a casual, yet still competitive, rally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-51qwfZ7eo Their first goal was to reach the Château de Froidcourt in Stoumont. A unique place in more…
Read More
21Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments

Itero; Putting Time back in your Hands

News
Most of us live a hectic life and during the day we usually glance at our watches, barely long enough to check the time. Itero wants to change this and put time back into your hands. Quite literally because Itero comes with a pocket watch! With a pocket watch you are forced to stand still, reach in your pocket and hold the watch to check the time. This is a far more deliberate effort, and with that also comes the actual realization of time. Something from yester year? Perhaps, but Itero's styling has that classic looks that always seems to be contemporary on which Italian designs usually have a patent. Yes, you can easily combine it with your tweed suit, but also casual with some khaki's and a casual shirt…
Read More
20Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
Manufacture Movement for Alpina Alpiner!

Manufacture Movement for Alpina Alpiner!

News
Alpina introduced the Alpiner with a manufacture movement. Often viewed as the holy grail, manufacture movements don't always tend out to be that way. Especially many, more affordable, brands feature manufacture movements that rely heavily on movement designs from which the patents have expired. But not Alpina! Caliber AL 710 is as stunning as it is original. Yes, Alpina dots all the i's in terms of decoration, but it is the overall design that is truly impressive! The gear train and main spring barrel are hidden firmly underneath a plate that covers nearly everything but the balance wheel at six o'clock. This balance wheel is secured itself by a full bridge, adding to increased shock protection. Stunning is also the black pvd-coated rotor. Unique is that its design is asymmetrical,…
Read More
19Oct 2015 by Jonathan Kopp No Comments
Timex presents its new Q Yacht Racer

Timex presents its new Q Yacht Racer

News
Timex has launched its new Q Yacht Racer intelligent analogue watch which combines innovative technology with a nautical theme.This stylish watch is designed for marine sports, and features simple and easy to use functions to ensure that sailors hit the starting line on time. Using Timex’s unique movement and INDIGLO® nightlight, the Intelligent Quartz watches are the smartest analogue timepieces in the world, with the innovative technology exclusive to the Timex brand. The 100m water resistance and count down timer make the watch ideal for both thrill-seeking holiday makers and sailors to wear in any situation and features basic instructions embossed on the back of the case for easy use when at sea. The YACHT RACING MODE. Provides countdown time to the start of the race, and then counts up…
Read More
16Oct 2015 by Jonathan Kopp 1 Comment
Presenting the Hotblack Calibre watch created by Richard Hoptroff

Presenting the Hotblack Calibre watch created by Richard Hoptroff

News
Richard Hoptroff is the kind of guy that you can easily put in the category « crazy genius ». You have probably already heard about his atomic watch – the N°10, but now you have to know that he also creates really cool and affordable watches.   The British Watchmaker based in London is doing interesting and smart complications with electronic watches that are linked directly to your smart phone. Instead of trying to do everything, like other smart watches, and losing the look and the utility of a conventional watch, these timepieces present only one specific function, and use the hands and subdials of the watch to convey the information of this smart function. Hotblack timepieces are tough on the outside with a very sporty look and really smart…
Read More