Jaquet Droz is a brand based on drawings by one of the first robotics experts in the world, Jaquet Droz who designed many clockwork automatons and a number of watches. Their most famous piece is the big-seconds, the Grande Seconde. We got to see a few of their goodies at the show last week.
Above we see the new collection including a ladies model, the Fleur Du Temps, on the right.
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Writing about the Omega Speedmaster Reduced 3510.50.00 is like trying to write about a classic muscle car. Words fail you and you fall back on cliche – classic, understated, collectable, impressive. It’s because of this that I took so long to start writing about my own Reduced – or Automatic, if you will – and why it’s one of the most important timepieces in horology.
The Speedmaster Professional is the moon watch, the one work by Buzz Aldrin on the first moon walk. The Speedmaster Reduced Automatic is the post-moon watch. It is a beautiful reduction of everything we love about the Pro with none of the manual winding hassle. With a stark black face and beautiful white baton hands, the Reduced allows you to own a piece of history while making the leap into a new era.
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First up in our exclusive trip to the Swatch Group’s Basel Show… Glashutte. First off, the handmade aviator you see before you is only about $8900 with big date and $4900 without. This means that any one of us can own a truly hand-made timepiece for less than the price of used Crown Victoria. Not too bad.
The Senator Navigator hearkens back to Glashutte’s experience as a munitions maker during a certain uncomfortable era in German history. Both models, with or without the big date, are automatics and have a completely manufactured movement.
Next, we have the PanoNavigator. OH. MY. GOD!
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Kiber just launched a new chrono, the 6040/1030. Nice movement and looks at an affordable price.
Kiber introduces a new model in a great summer look! This latest Kiber model has an ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement. Other great brands use this movement but only Kiber brings it for only €. 695,00. The unique light yellow dial makes the watch look fresh and big.
Product Page [Kiber]
Another day, another NASCAR themed Tissot. This time they turned the Valjoux PRS 516 automatic chrono and the T-Race, as well as the PR50, not shown here, into a NASCAR pace watch. I really like the Valjoux, which will sell for about a grand.
PRS 516 Valjoux NASCAR Limited Edition
The PRS 516 Valjoux NASCAR Limited Edition features dynamic materials, including the NASCAR logo engraved on steering wheel cut-out with see-through case back. This timepiece also features a carbon dial and a sophisticated Valjoux chronograph, bringing the precision of a Swiss-Made automatic movement to select fans. Inspired by the passion and precision in motor sports, this timepiece is limited to 500 pieces worldwide, paying homage to NASCAR’s ultimate race in Daytona, Florida. The PRS 516 Valjoux NASCAR will retail for $1,150.
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As I constantly reiterate, China needs to get on the ball when it comes to watchmaking. Here is a step in the right direction. The Fitya is the watch worn by one of China’s own cosmonauts. It has a Miyota movement and a certain over/under-the-top look that grates on the eye. Nice quality, though.
Ever since the Omega Speedmaster gained cult status for being the watch certified by NASA for the Apollo program, and being the first and only watch on the moon, there is great interest by collectors for any model that has been in space. Obviously the manufacturers know this, and often use the fact as an argument to sell more watches, and raise the status and popularity of the brand.
The same goes for the Fiyta company. They don’t sell their watches outside of China as far as I know, but I was lucky enough to be able to pick one up during one of my lay-overs in Shanghai. It was for sale in high street watch dealer that sold several of the big Swiss brands, and the Fiyta was definitely one of the cheaper watches at 700RMB which at that time equaled about US$200.
Fiyta Chronograph [PilotsWatch]
Mmm… what is it about this color that just does me in? Gotta get me one of these.
Glycine 3838.19AT8 Combat Chronograph Automatic 43mm Watch [Gnomon]
Is it just me or are blocky serif fonts on watchfaces a little off-putting? When the serif font is thin and spindly, I think it really works well.
That said, I’m sure the movement in this new JLC beast is amazing, but the face I could probably do without. What think ye?
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grand Réveil Fantasy [Velociphile]
Like the Formula 1 cars Volvo regularly races, this watch has very little to do with the entire Tag Heuer line. However, it is very cool. It has 1/10, 1/100, and 1/1000 of a second registers and is completely mechanicl. Power reserve and an unmentional price tag round out the impressive package.
Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 360 LS Concept Watch at BaselWorld 2006
WatchReport.com posts a review of his favorite Casio to date, the PAW1200 with multi-band atomic timekeeping, compass, barometer, altitude alarm, and world time. Great stuff.
What makes the Casio Pathfinder PAW1200 series special is the fact that it brings so many features together into one watch. I’ll get into plenty of detail on each individual feature shortly, but most notably, the PAW1200 series is the first to bring together the triple-sensor functionality of the Pathfinder line (compass, barometer, and thermometer), atomic time calibration, and solar power.
Review of the Multi-band Casio Pathfinder PAW1200 [WatchReport]
Not going to comment on the goldenness of this, but one of our sponsors is selling this chrono for $99. Free shipping, as well.
Yes, it’ for real! Get this dynamic Seiko men’s alarm chronograph at a price too good to miss! Outstanding men’s watch is sleek, racy and just right for today’s man. Handsome gold plated finish is on durable stainless steel. Attractive, polished gold plated case is presented on the highly stylized link bracelet in brushed and polished gold plate. Stationary, satin finished bezel frames the gold colored dial with three subdials, LumiBrite hands and markers. Alarm, small-seconds and 30-minute registers. A window at the 3 o’clock hour reveals the automatic date calendar. Hurry quantities are limited!
Product Page [WorldofWatches]
Hokey smokes! It’s breeding!
The case, in polished and brushed black ceramic, measures 44.5mm. It features H-shaped titanium screws, Kevlar lateral inserts, double AR coated sapphire crystals and a titanium back. The crown and push-buttons have rubber inserts and it is water resistant to 100 meters.
Movement is the automatic HUB44 caliber developed with LaJoux-Perret (the old Jaquet Baume). It has 252 parts, a rhodium-plated sandblasted mainplate, polished bevelled satin-brushed bridges a Tungsten oscillating weight (dimpled surface with black PVD coating) and a 42 hour power reserve.
The dial is black, done in a sunray motiff, with applied hour-markers and Superluminova hands. The strap is black rubber with a black PVD folding clasp.
TimeZone: Industry News: N E W M o d e l – Hublot Black Magic Big Bang [TimeZone]
I never was in love with TAG Heuer, but these new chronographs are making my ears perk up. You’ve got two new models here, a new SLR and a new Carrera. The Carrera is the standard Heuer chrono, kind of avant garde, kind of traditional, but the SLR has some great lines.
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TimeZone has some great shots of the new 5960P Calendar with leap year indicator and all sorts of goodies. I hate the hands, though. Does anyone else feel the same way?
Full release after the jump.
NEW Patek chrono/calendar/auto caliber, ref. 5960P! [TimeZone]
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Ming at 
WatchRap has some striking shots of a Gerald Genta jump hour. I like Genta, as a whole, but sometimes they get ugly. This one has all the parts in the right place.
Gerald Genta Retrograde Jump Hour! [WatchRap]
