25Nov 2015 by Martin Green 2 Comments

Maison Celadon; Made in China, with Pride!

News
Most of us still have problems putting down serious money for a Chinese watch, but that might change after you have seen the Maison Celadon. The Chinese have a century long love story with watches and many pieces by brands like for example Bovet, were made especially for the Chinese market in the past. Their own watchmaking history is less well-known and varies from honest, straightforward watches by brands like the Shanghai Watch co. to high complex haute horlogerie made by people like Ma Xushu. Most Chinese watch brands focus very much on western designs, pumping out large volumes for competitive prices. Maison Celadon is dedicated to restore Chinese watchmaking to their prime. Their watches not only feature high quality Chinese movements, but also the design of their watches is…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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13Oct 2015 by Jonathan Kopp 3 Comments
The Collector’s Experience : Enzo Mechana V001 by Timothy J

The Collector’s Experience : Enzo Mechana V001 by Timothy J

Opinion
When a watch is more than just a watch. Like many things in life, I have found that some of my best-loved watches are not the most expensive, or prestigious, in fact more often than not they are the exact opposite, usually lesser known brands that do not command high prices. Why? Well, it is because of their journey, their story and the place they hold in my heart. One such piece is my ENZO MECHANA V001. It’s story began back in 2009 when I bought a copy of an international watch magazine, you know the type we all love, those glossy seductive tomes that lure us to spend money on the objects of our desire, yes…that’s right folks… Watch Porn! Well, as I say, back in 2009, in one…
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12Oct 2015 by Martin Green No Comments
D.M. 1936 Air Force Regulateur; Flying High on a Feeling!

D.M. 1936 Air Force Regulateur; Flying High on a Feeling!

News
Regulateur's have an undeniable appeal; three hands divided over three (sub)dials bring a certain kind of magic to a watch. Not only in terms of looks, but also in how surprisingly convenient it is to check the time. D.M. 1936 takes that appeal to new heights with their manual wind Air Force Regulateur! D.M. stands for Deutsche Master, a brand founded in 2013 and offering vintage inspired watches that resemble the instruments that can be found in military planes, tanks, submarines and boats. The Regulateur is part of their Air Force collection which becomes clear by the highly legible dial of the watch. They offer different colored versions of this watch, from a very modern looking blue dialed version with silver sub-dials, to a vintage looking black dial Regulateur with…
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