BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

January is always an exciting time for watch lovers because of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie show (SIHH). Like the years before, this year saw the brands showcase a bevy of new watches, including those by several independent brands new to the show. Honestly, it’s difficult for the casual watch lover to keep up with the number of new releases, but that’s what our bi-weekly round-ups are for. In this roundup, join us as we recap the highlights from SIHH 2016, as well as share our top 10 watches from this year’s show. Next, we take a closer look at what I think are the standout pieces of this year.

SIHH 2016 aside, we also explore the increasingly important role that typography plays in watch design, and also learn more about the earliest Rolex Submariners. Finally, we conclude by learning about the significance of the Breguet Classique Chronométrie 7727 and also revisiting the Apple Watch.

1. Top 10 Watches Of SIHH 2016 & Show Report

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

SIHH 2016 was the 26th edition of the show and saw the brands showcase their latest pieces alongside nine celebrated independent watchmakers, including Laurent Ferrier, De Bethune, HYT and more. Now that SIHH 2016 has concluded, here’s an overview of the show, as well as ten of the most important watches that we saw there.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

2. A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Watch Hands-On

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

Every year, A. Lange & Söhne releases a new hero watch – an outstanding piece that stands out amongst the rest of its new watches. For 2016, the hero watch was undoubtedly the new Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon. If you can’t already tell, it’s a Datograph with perpetual calendar complication and a tourbillon. Technically, it isn’t anything new, but what’s really outstanding about the watch is the movement itself. Already, the Datograph’s caliber L.951.6 is a visually arresting movement, but the new Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon’s L.952.2 takes things to another level. If looking at this new movement doesn’t get you interested in watches, then all hope is lost.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Watches Hands-On

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

The most interesting watch from Audermars Piguet this year, is the new Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked watch. Royal Oaks with skeletonized dials are not new, but what’s intriguing about this watch is that it has two balance wheels that are mounted side-by-side. It is based on the theory of resonance, where it is thought that two balance wheels beating with each other will be keep able to keep more accurate time by regulating each other, and also be able to counteract outside disturbances more easily.I know of only two watchmakers, F.P. Journe and Haldimann, who have made watches based on this principle, which makes the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked watch all the more unique.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

4. New Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Watches For SIHH 2016 Hands-On

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

For 2016, there’s an emphasis from Panerai on growing its popular Radiomir 1940 collection, so they are releasing four new Radiomir 1940 watches featuring the GMT complication. There are two distinct versions – the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio and the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic Acciaio – and each version will have two distinct types of dials. All four will also be powered by variants of Panerai’s new P.4000 movement which features a micro-rotor, which also means that they’ll be relatively thin (for a Panerai, at least). Have a good look at these new watches here.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

5. Cartier Drive De Cartier Watch Hands-On

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups

Personally, I think a lot of Cartier’s expertise with watch aesthetics really lies with its case designs. The Tank, Santos, and Ballon Bleu, are all iconic case designs in their own right. And last year, Cartier released the Clé de Cartier, which is a cushion-shaped case with a distinctive crown inspired by the key. This year, Cartier has introduced yet another new design and it is called the Drive de Cartier. Targeted at men, the new Cartier Drive is inspired by vintage automobiles (the name should already be a giveaway). The Drive is cushion-shaped like last year’s Clé de Cartier, but more masculine, and yet thin and quite elegant-looking all at the same time. Will this be a hit for Cartier?

Source: aBlogtoWatch

6. Greubel Forsey Signature 1 Watch Hands-On

BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends January 29, 2016 ABTW Round-Ups
At Baselworld 2016, Pre Owned Breguet Watches Uk Replica debuted a new “line extension” in the Form XXI with the mention 3817ST/X2/3ZU 2016 Breguet Type XXI 3817 that conveys a vintage-style dial using light tan coloring accents. This is my favourite line of watches from Breguet at this time, and such as sister brand Blancpain at The Swatch Group, I continue to advocate that these two brands market their great sport watches individually from their more classic manner of timepieces that they are often more famous for.Premium-priced but exceptional in mechanics and style, the Breguet Type XXI is one of the sexiest methods for demonstrating that you’re a watch nerd. For me, this is one of the best pilot-style chronograph watches currently available. While most of Breguet’s recent lineup of watches are inspired by the work of Abraham-Louis Breguet (the brand’s namesake), the Breguet Type XX, Form XXI, and Type XXII pilot-style watches are inspired by 20th century Breguet timepieces that were made long after Abraham-Louis’ departure in the early 19th century.In fact, it had been Louis Charles Breguet (the great-great grandson of the creator) who was in charge of developing the new pilot watches at the early-mid 20th century. From what I could tell, Breguet’s family was first involved in actually making a airplane, and then only later, around the 1960s based on Breguet, did they produce their initial aviation wristwatch (after creating a couple of cockpit instrument clocks). That said, it wasn’t until the 1950s, I think, that Breguet introduced the original Type XX watches that were in service from the French army until the 1980s. Yes, the Breguet Type XXI 3817 is a cosmetic update to the current collection, but it is a collection which, in my opinion, deserves more options – as a lot of watch lovers will truly love these timepieces. It makes sense for a new to offer an aesthetic array because of its best models, and while Breguet does possess more than one Type XXI, the more the merrier, in my estimation. In a 42mm-wide steel case (water resistant to 100 meters), the Breguet Type XXI 3817 includes a slate gray-colored dial together with Arabic numerals and hands painted with a tan-colored luminant. This can be attached to a fitting calf leather strap. The Breguet Type XXI does look good on a strap, but for me, it also looks killer on a bracelet – so I expect that is a choice as well, now or later on.

Greubel Forsey is known for its dedication to quality and the company prides itself on its single-minded approach to hand-finishing its watches to the highest standards. However, even they are not immune to the realities of the present economic climate. To appeal to a wider audience, Greubel Forsey released the Signature 1 at SIHH 2016. The Signature 1 is their “simplest” watch to date, but no effort has been spared in making the watch, and the Signature 1 possesses all of the high-end hand-finishing traits that long-time customers have come to expect from the brand. Don’t just take our word for it, we have the photos to prove it here.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

Next, our article picks from around the Web »