With the holidays just around the corner, November was jam-packed with interesting new releases. A few aBlogtoWatch team members traveled to Dubai for Dubai Watch Week, which brought with it a slew of exclusive new products, including the Ressence Type 1 DXB, Doxa SUB 300b, and Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 DMT, to name a few. Longines dropped the long-desired and anticipated 39 mm variant of its popular Legend Diver model, and IWC launched the impressive Pilots Performance Chrono. Our friends at Fratello explored watches rooted in important design movements, while the Heuer experts over at On The Dash interviewed Sylvain Berneron, learning the inspiration behind the brand’s beautiful new Mirage model. Let’s get into it!
1. Hands-On Debut: Longines Legend Diver Watch With New 39mm Case
If you love vintage-inspired dive watches (one of the most popular genres in watches right now), you need to check out the Longines Legend Diver in 39 mm. I’ve always been a fan of the Legend Diver thanks to its rich history and handsome design (not to mention, who doesn’t love a good compressor), but the case size is slightly too large for my wrist. The lug-to-lug distance of 52.7 mm, in particular, makes the watch less compatible than its 42 mm might suggest. However, with a 47 mm lug-to-lug the 39 mm variant melts onto the wrist and makes for a timepiece that is much more true to its inspiration.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
2. New Release: Wristcheck X Seconde/Seconde/ X Atelier Wen Perception Special Edition
Over the past 4 years, China-based brand Atelier Wen has done a fantastic job building a cult following for its products. Their newest and perhaps most popular model — the Perception — is an interesting and somewhat novel take on the integrated sports watch genre, with a guilloche dial, seamless design, and approachable price point. For their latest release, they’ve collaborated with Seconde/Seconde/, and as expected, the result is both fun and interesting. The Atelier Wen x Seconde/Seconde/ Perception Special Edition is particularly interesting in that the watch utilizes guilloche dials that DID NOT pass the brand’s strict quality control protocols, making each dial slightly different and “imperfect.” It’s safe to say that the release was a success, as all 36 pieces of the limited run sold out within hours.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
3. New Release: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph SRQ047 And Limited-Edition SRQ049 Watches
While Seiko has a rich history of producing chronographs, the brand isn’t necessarily known for its modern chronos. With the SRQ047 and SRQ049, they are hoping to change that. The new releases speak directly to the heart of vintage collectors with a more straightforward design language and a smaller form factor. Inspired by one of the brand’s all-time fan-favorite references, the 1972 Seiko 6138-8020 “Panda” chronograph, the new chronos feature in-house movements, thoughtfully contoured cases, and handsome, sporty dials.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
4. Recapping Dubai Watch 2023 With 7 Watches Made Just For Seddiqi & Sons
The sixth annual Dubai Watch Week was the biggest to date, with more brands participating than ever and the largest-ever number of attendees. Perhaps what makes Dubai most different from other events is that many of the releases featured are custom-made for particular clients. Our fearless leader Ariel Adams and editor Ed Rhee traveled to Dubai to cover the event, and have put together their top 11 picks of the watches that were designed exclusively for Seddiqi & Sons.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
5. Hands-On: IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41
Last month, IWC surprised everyone with a new take on the Pilot’s Chronograph. The Pilots Watch Performance Chronograph takes everything that’s great about the classic and takes it up a notch, featuring a ceratanium or titanium construction, ceramic bezel, and most notably, the option of a full titanium or ceratanium bracelet. Our Ripley Sellers goes hands-on with the ceratanium variant, delving into all the details that make this piece a unique addition to the IWC collection.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
6. Watches Rooted In Important Design Movements — Examples From JLC, Richard Mille, Junghans, And More
To me, design is the most accessible and consistently resonant aspect of watchmaking. In this article, our friends over at Fratello take a look at five notable timepieces and the design movements from which they were inspired.
Source: Fratello Watches
7. Bring The Best Of The Seventies With The Oris x Collective Divers “Seventy-Five” ADPT Strap Bundle
Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly of Collective Horology always bring the heat, and their newest drop is no different. Their latest collaboration timepiece is a thoughtfully designed take on the popular Oris Divers 65 that takes its inspiration from the colors and aesthetics of the 1970s. Dubbed the Divers 75, the Collective C.04 sports a sun-washed color palate that oozes character and makes for an excellent representation of the Divers 65 collection. It also features the impressive Caliber 400, a chronometer-certified in-house movement that packs a power reserve of no less than five days.
Source: Worn and Wound
8. Interview — A Deep Dive into Sylvain Berneron’s Mirage
Breitling Chief Product Officer Sylvain Berneron just launched his own brand, and its flagship model, the Mirage, is making waves for its gorgeous, avant-garde design. While Berneron is only producing 24 of these watches per year, the brand has already pressed three year’s worth. The folks over at On The Dash interview the man himself, gaining insight into how and why he entered the watch business, the inspiration behind the Mirage, and what the future holds for the brand.
Source: On The Dash
9. He Sold Luxury Watches On Rodeo Drive. The FBI Says He Scammed Customers Out Of $3 Million
The Anthony Farrer saga has been an absolute trainwreck, and if you’re like me, you might have a hard time looking away. For the last few years, grey market dealer Farrer, AKA “The Timepiece Gentleman,” has been flaunting a flashy lifestyle, which from the outside had looked to be serving him quite well until recently. However, as it turns out, he scammed his clients out of a collective three million dollars by taking in watches on consignment, selling them, and then pocketing all of the money for himself. Unfortunately for Farrer, the charade has come to a screeching halt; FBI agents arrested him early last month and if convicted of wire fraud, he will face a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Source: CNN