Although Vacheron Constantin recently unveiled their new and absolutely mega pocket watch – the Reference 57260 – we are kickstarting this round-up with a different pocket watch, one that is, in my mind, just as important, if not more. I’m talking about the Breguet 1160 Marie Antoinette pocket watch. This watch is significant because it was built as a replica of the original Breguet 160 pocket watch. It may not have the most complications, but it was constructed using just written descriptions and drawings of the original watch. It was a true labor of love and shows just how much the late Nicholas G. Hayek favored the brand Breguet.
Moving on, we take a look at three high-end handwound chronographs from three of the most esteemed brands in the business – A. Lange & Söhne, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. And speaking of high-end watches, we also take an in-depth look at a very special tourbillon from Haldimann, the H1 Flying Central Tourbillon.
We wrap up this round-up by checking out new watches by Cartier, Dietrich, and Swatch. And finally, we also learn some tips on differentiating between genuine and counterfeit Tudor Heritage Black Bay watches.
1. Cartier Clé De Cartier Watch Hands-On
One of Cartier’s most important releases for 2015 is their new Clé de Cartier. The watch is significant because it has a completely new cushion-shaped case design. It also has an interesting crown that locks into place and feels like your are winding the key of a old clock or pocket watch. This all makes perfect sense, since clé is “key” in French. Although the Clé de Cartier is offered only in 18k gold cases now, we foresee steel models on the horizon which would broaden Cartier’s more affordable offerings. Here’s a close look at the new star of Cartier.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
2. Top 10 Watches For Traveling
Some watch lovers and collectors have specific watches that they use for traveling. These traveler’s watches typically have a GMT or world-time complication. Alternatively, they could also just be extremely hardy and resilient, so much so that the wearer feels comfortable with them regardless of the situation. After all, you never know what you might encounter when you are traveling, especially if you are off on an adventure in some remote part of the world. If you are looking for a travel watch, here’s what we recommend.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
3. Swatch Sistem 51 Watch Review: Buy A $150 Swiss Automatic?
Don’t be fooled by the price tag. The Swatch Sistem 51 might be affordable, but it is a ground-breaking watch. It has an automatic movement that is made out of just 51 parts that are in turn held together by just a single screw. Also impressive is the fact that it is assembled entirely by robots. This makes it relatively cheap and easy to produce and manufacture, and it’s Swatch’s way of allowing more people to get in on mechanical watches. It’s so cool and remarkable, and certainly one of the most important and revolutionary watches in all of horology.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
4. Breguet 1160 Marie Antoinette Pocket Watch ‘Original Replica’ Hands-On
Abraham-Louis Breguet is often regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern watchmaking. He is certainly credited with many inventions, including, most famously, the tourbillon. And amongst his works, the Marie Antoinette pocket watch or Breguet 160 Grand Complication can be said to be the most famous. Commissioned by an admirer and alleged lover of Marie Antoinette, then the Queen of France, it was a pocket watch that housed an amazing amount of complications including a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, thermometer, and chronograph. When the late Nicolas G. Hayek purchased Breguet in 1999, he was annoyed by the fact that the original Breguet 160 pocket watch was never found and so commissioned the recreation of the watch using little more than written descriptions and drawings. The result is the Breguet 1160 Marie Antoinette Pocket Watch ‘Original Replica’ that you see here.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
5. Dietrich OT-3 Watch Review
Looking at the Dietrich OT-3, comparisons with SevenFriday are unavoidable. Like SevenFriday, the Dietrich OT-3 has an unusual design that makes it look like nothing else in the market. Also like SevenFriday, it utilizes a Japanese movement and is relatively affordable for what it is. If you like unconventional watches, but don’t feel like paying an arm and a leg for an Urwerk or MB&F, this watch is well worth checking out.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
6. Diving In Grand Cayman With Oris Watches Video Part 1
Oris has always been a popular choice for watch lovers who are looking for a relatively affordable dive watch that isn’t Japanese. Their Aquis collection of dive watches have gone from strength to strength in the past couple of years and one of their highlight watches has got to be the Aquis Depth Gauge you seen in the photo above. It represents stunning value as it is one of if not the most affordable dive watch with a mechanical depth gauge. Join us as Oris takes a lucky winner and us diving in the Cayman Islands.
Source: aBlogtoWatch