To celebrate the new Chinese Year of the Rat, some high-end watchmakers have created special editions depicting some form of the resourceful rodent. Elizabeth Doerr takes a look at eight of them.
A horological detox means going back to simplicity. Just the basics: time-only, preferably in a stainless steel case and fitted with a strap, not overly thick or large, and dial functional in design. These are not attention-grabbing watches, but the perfect choice to start the new year with.
If the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awards the horological Oscars, then the more cerebral Gaïa might be considered the horological Nobel Prize. And the three prize winners for 2019 are . . .
Stainless steel case, integrated bracelet in the same material, manufacture movement, and a blue dial: these are the ingredients for today’s watches that people are willing to spend a significant premium to obtain. For many, this was also the first thought that went through heads when Chopard recently launched its new blue-dial, stainless steel, sporty watch, the Alpine Eagle. Martin Green looks beyond that pretty blue face after wearing it for a week and gives us his thoughts.
The 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève’s Jewellery category is for watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of the art of jewelry and gem-setting, “also distinguished by the choice of stones.” It’s difficult to judge these pieces by photos alone, but our panel does its best and ends up with a majority favorite.
Elegant steel dress watches indicating the time and possibly date also make a serious statement on the wrist as the new crop of great models in 2019 highlight. Here are three of Sabine Zwettler’s personal favorites from Chopard, Omega, and Montblanc.
The ambitious task of Qualité Fleurier, which was the first qualitative horological certification for finished watches, is to unite several tests within one single certification. Elizabeth Doerr explains how and why that’s done.
Chopard is a perennial favorite of the rich and famous in cinema, fashion, and red-carpet events. But Elizabeth Doerr has never seen watches and jewelry by this Geneva maker of the extraordinary take on such a starring role in a movie as Chopard does in the musical Elton John biopic ‘Rocketman.’ Here she shares a few of the horological stars of the highly recommended film.
Get ready to be blown away by the incredible Chopard L.U.C Full Strike, the brand’s first minute repeater featuring a pair of sapphire crystal gongs! Machined from a solid block of sapphire crystal, they are one piece with the front sapphire crystal. Holy smokes! Let’s just dive right in.
With the the L.U.C Flying T Twin, Chopard releases its first flying tourbillon. Martin Green thinks that it is balanced, refined, typically Chopard, and a worthwhile addition to the world of the haute horlogerie. Read on for more.