Alpina adds to the Alpiner 4 Collection

It has often been said (by yours truly, and others), that Frederique Constant offers affordable, well-built Swiss watches.  Those tend to the more conservative, or dressy style; if you are in want of something sportier, then you need to look to stablemate Alpina.  They just recently released two new watches in their Alpiner 4 collection, and both are sharp.

The first one is the Alpiner 4 Automatic (of note, the 4 refers to four essential features:  anti-magnetic, anti-shock, water resistant, and stainless steel).  As you might imagine, this is a “simple” automatic watch, a clean three-hander with date and a sunray dial set into a 44mm case.  When you look at it, it has a solid look to it, albeit not one so overbuilt that you’d feel out of place wearing it to the office or with a suit.  No, the Alpiner 4 Automatic is what I’ll call the “gentleman’s” sport watch.  The handset looks to be reasonably sized, and stands out in contrast against the darker dials.

On the lighter, silver dial, they did opt for darker-filled indices.  Surprisingly, though, the handset does not take that same tactic, so I’m a little concerned about readability.  Past that, though, the Alpiner 4 Automatic looks like it’s built to take on most anything.  It’s got shock and magnetism resistance built in (generally a good thing for mechanical movements), as well as 100m WR, all keeping that AL-525 caliber safe during it’s wearing time (or not, as it has a 38-hour power reserve as well).

If you like the road the Alpiner 4 Automatic is taking, but find yourself jetting across timezones, then you may want to consider the Alpiner 4 Business Timer instead.  The Business Timer (for when you’re getting down to the business of business) features the same case and resistances that the Automatic offers.  Via it’s movement, it brings a GMT complication into the mix, and the bi-directional bezel is swapped from a 60-minute (on the automatic) to this 360-degree one (useful as a compass).  Perhaps not quite as useful (in daily wear) as another 24-hour scale, but it still has utility.
 Speaking of 24-hour scales, the Alpiner Business Timer does bring some Pepsi to the party, albeit not in the spot you’d expect it (i.e., not on the external bezel).  Instead, it shows up around the dial, for the inner GMT indication.  This follows the same sort of day/night indication that most two-tone bezels would bring, but with a twist.  Rather than a hard demarcation for 12-hour splits, this instead is indicating the normal business hours (well, more like bankers hours, as it’s 9-5) in red, white bands on either side of the work day (to encompass the hours that most work) and then blue to indicate non-work hours.  Perhaps this is a good watch for those workaholics who could use a reminder of when they should go home?

I do rather like both of these new Alpiner 4 watches.  They are sportier while still retaining some elegance, and seem to be fairly robust designs.  Both are currently available, with the Alpiner 4 Automatic coming in at $ 1,395 and the Alpine 4 GMT Business Timer commanding a price of $ 1,995, still quite within the realm of affordable Swiss watches.  We are working to get the Automatic in for review; in the meantime, let us know in the comments what you think about these new additions.  alpina-watches.com 

Watch Overview

• Brand & Model:  Alpina Alpiner 4 Automatic & Business Timer
• Price: $ 1,395 (Automatic), $ 1,995 (GMT)
• Who we think it might be for: You’re looking for an affordable Swiss watch, yet want something a bit sportier
• Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Probably, but I’d be torn as to which model
• If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Test out that galvanic blue dial on the GMT, and take a look at darkening the hands on the silver-dialed Automatic
• What spoke to me the most about this watch: Dial designs aside, I really like the shape and compact feel of those 44mm cases

 Tech Specs from Alpina

• 44mm stainless steel case
• Sapphire crystal
• Bi-directional bezel (60 minute on the automatic; compass on the GMT)
• 100m WR
• Anti-magnetic (ISO764)
• Anti-shock
• Sunray dial
• Movement:  AL-525 (Automatic), AL-550 (GMT)

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Editorial: Arthur's Favorite Watches From Baselworld 2016

by Arthur Touchot



We all know who the heavy hitters were this year. So let’s start by getting them out of the way. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in stainless steel, the Seiko Spring Drive 8 Days, anything Tudor, and the Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon are, as you know by now, on our most wanted list. Needless to say these were also my favorites. But in an effort to keep things interesting for you, and because honestly other watches impressed me too, here are seven watches that deserve some attention.

1. The Zenith El Primero 36,000 VpH Classic Cars

 

Leave it to Zenith to come up with the coolest chronograph of the fair. They haven’t added any complications on top of their chronograph, going instead with a straight update of its the hugely popular 36,000 VpH. Introduced in 2013, the 42 mm stainless steel chronograph with tri-color dial continues to be one of their most popular models. This time, Zenith have gone with an anthracite dial brushed with "Geneva stripes," which looks very good. Oh and they’ve moved the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock back and behind the small seconds and minute counters – which makes the chronograph display much more coherent in my humble opinion. Zenith have really been going after relatively niche but logical partnerships with vintage automobiles, and after a couple of misses, they have found their hit. The Zenith El Primero 36,000 VpH Classic Cars is priced at $6,900.

2. The Blancpain Villeret Quantième Annuel GMT

An annual calendar combined with a GMT function? It’s an original combination, and the kind you’d expect a blue chip brand such as Blancpain to case in a precious material. And that’s exactly how they introduced the watch back in 2011. But they had the guts to re-introduce it in stainless steel and it now has the looks of the old for a fraction of the price (it's still $27,300 though). I really like the logic of the digital day, date, and month sequence, but that might be my European bias. The day and month windows are not where you’d expect them to be; same with the adjustment pushers (located under the lugs, so you can manipulate them without having to use a tool) but that shows me Blancpain – a Swatch Group brand – has its own way of doing things and isn’t afraid to take some risks.

3. The Glashütte Original Senator Excellence

Based solely on the number of new references, you’d think this was a small year for Glashütte Original. But don't underestimate them. The introduction of Calibre 36, and the three watches already equipped with it, shows the manufacture’s ability – a single barrel caliber with a 100-hour power reserve is impressive – and its understanding of current consumer needs. It is presented in a 40 mm stainless-steel case at a good price ($9,700). Better yet, they are offering two dial options that are stylistically opposite right off to the bat. Collectors can choose from a classic dress watch or a pilot-themed watch loosely inspired by the Senator Observer. My personal choice would be the latter.

4. The Frédérique Constant Perpetual Calendar

Remember last year, when Montblanc released a sub $15,000 manufacture made perpetual calendar? It was groundbreaking stuff, and we thought it would take a few years before we’d see that record tumble. So imagine our reaction when Frédérique Constant dropped a modular in-house perpetual calendar for $8,700? Don’t let them tell you it’s an affordable perpetual calendar, but it might be the closest we get to one in years. In terms of design, the complication is presented in its purest form, with a classic day, date, month and moon phase display which uses negative space to its advantage.

5. The Patek Philippe World Time Reference 5230

“What do you think of Patek Philippe’s new collection?” may be the most unoriginal Baselworld question in the history of Baselworld, yet we continue to fall for the irresistible debate it creates. 5930G was a sequence of numbers and letters we heard a lot last week, as journalists and collectors wondered: why exactly did Patek combine a world time complication module to an existing chronograph movement? Jack shared his thoughts on the new reference here. Personally, I preferred the other world timer. Reference 5230 may not be a wholly original watch, being an update of an existing line, but I really like the aesthetic changes that have been introduced. I much prefer the “winglet-style” lugs, and, though I'm sure I will receive some flack for this, the skeleton hour hand to those in the previous model. The new World Timer also introduces a new city disc to reflect recent changes in time zone designations that made the previous production run (semi) obsolete.

6. The TAG Heuer Monza Chronograph

With the help of Jean-Claude Biver, TAG Heuer is once again grabbing headlines. Disruptive watches such as the Connected and the Carerra Heuer-02T have created a lot of buzz, but what I’m much more excited about are the re-editions of their racing chronographs. Following the announcement of the Autavia’s comeback in 2017, TAG Heuer unveiled a beautiful new Monza Chronograph. It’s been completely rebuilt around Calibre 17, but it borrows the iconic color scheme of the original. I was initially turned off by its size when the official diameter was announced (42 mm) but the cushion shape of the case and its black robe make it feel smaller in person.

7. The MB&F HMX Black Badger

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice. Well, it does at MB&F. The HMX was a massive hit when the independent brand introduced it 12 months ago, and I can see this limited edition doing well once again. Made in collaboration with James "Black Badger" Thompson, the founder of Black Badger Composites (which makes luminescent jewelry and design objects) this driver’s watch – the time is displayed at a 90-degree angle so it shows when the driver is holding the wheel – is inspired by Superleggera lines. MB&F has asked the lord of the lume rings to bring his totally unique flavor to the design by injecting three timepieces with AGT Ultra. It’s not a watch for everyone, depending on taste and in a very real sense, wallet size – the new HMX will retail at a list price of $50,000. But it’s hard to deny that it looks incredibly cool.


 Article from: Editorial: Arthur's Favorite Watches From Baselworld 2016 http://www.hodinkee.com/articles/arthurs-favorite-watches-from-baselworld-2016 #watches

A Closer Look: Frédérique Constant’s $8,800 Perpetual Calendar

Written by Mark Bernardo, March 28, 2016

It’s rare these days to find a Swiss-made perpetual calendar watch — especially one with an in-house movement — for under $50,000. What would you say to one priced under $10,000? Frédérique Constant, a brand that has made its mark in the industry with its affordably priced complications, has pulled off this horological feat with its new Manufacture Perpetual Calendar, unveiled to the world at Baselworld 2016.

Frédérique Constant, which launched the first of its 19 in-house movements back in 2004 in the Heart Beat Manufacture watch, enlisted the services of its technical director, Pim Koeslag, and its R&D director, Manuel Da Silva Matos, to develop the automatic caliber FC-775 — which the brand calls “one of the most innovative yet easy to assemble perpetual calendar[s] ever produced — a process that required two years of work at Frederique Constant’s manufacture in the watchmaking hub of Plan-les-Ouates, near Geneva.
The movement measures just 6.7 mm thick, oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vph, and consists of 191 parts, including 26 jewels. Carrying a power reserve of 38 hours, Caliber FC-775 is the result of a design and manufacturing process that used, according to the company, the “latest technology” available in horology to make “state of the art” and “very precise” parts. The finishing, executed with CNC machines, includes perlage and circular côtes de Genève on the bridges and plates.

The perpetual calendar functions powered by Caliber FC-775 are set and adjusted via inset buttons on the slim, 42-mm-diameter case of the Frederique Constant Manufacture Perpetual Calendar. The button near 5 o’clock advances the moon-phase display (at 6 o’clock on the dial), while another near 8 o’clock is used to set the date of the week. A button at 10 o’clock advances the day and date (indicated on subdials at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, respectively) simultaneously. When you adjust the perpetual calendar, you’ll need to set the date first, followed by the day. Finally, the button near 11 o’clock adjusts the month and the leap year (elegantly arranged on the subdial at 12 o’clock) at the same time.
The current time in hours and minutes is adjustable through the crown. Once adjusted, the watch — like all perpetual calendars, many of them with significantly higher pricetags — will take into account the months with 30 and 31 days, the 28 days of February, and also the leap-year cycle, adding a 29th day to February every four years. The watch, providing it is kept perpetually wound, would not need adjustments until March 1, 2100.

The Frederique Constant Manufacture Perpetual Calendar will be available in either a stainless steel or rose-gold-plated case, each with a convex sapphire crystal in front and a sapphire window in back, and mounted on a brown or black alligator strap. The rose-gold-plated versions are available with either a silvered or navy blue dial. The steel watch will be priced at $8,795 and the gold-plated models at $8,995.

 

 

 

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Post from: http://www.watchtime.com/wristwatch-industry-news/watches/a-closer-look-frederique-constants-8800-perpetual-calendar/

More Frédérique Constant watches here.

 

Buying Time: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Edition

Buying Time: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Edition

In this week’s episode of Buying Time, our semi-regular curation of pre-owned modern watches from the vault of Govberg Jewelers, I have put together a selection of Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches.  As I previewed earlier this week, Omega has refreshed the Seamaster Planet Ocean a bit this year which will give some fresh options for those willing to wait for them to hit the market this summer.  But if you are in the market today, there’s some great SMPO options to choose from right here and now.
All the “typical” SMPO features are represented — 600m (2000 ft) water resistance, 3-hander + date window, helium escape value, screw-down crown, lume dot on unidrectional bezel and more — the traits that help to define the Seamaster Planet Ocean.   But to see the diversity of what you can get, I’ve also included a couple GMT’s and a chronograph as well, and the range of case sizes (42mm 43.5mm 45mm).  Let’s take a look!


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The New Rolex Explorer Reference 214270 – Our Thoughts

The New Rolex Explorer Reference 214270 – Our Thoughts

In my opinion, or better said, for me personally, the Rolex Explorer was always one of the purest Rolex sports watches. An understatement, as it has no moving bezel, cyclops or other ‘super recognizable’ Rolex features. Except for the Oyster bracelet perhaps. The dial was very clean, no date and Roman numerals on 3, 6 and 9. I would love to own a vintage reference 1016 or even later 14270 (we wrote about that one here in one of our #tbt features) or 114270. However, 36mm is not for me. It was in the far past, but being a student […]


The post The New Rolex Explorer Reference 214270 – Our Thoughts appeared first on Fratello Watches.

Casio G-Shock G-Steel Smoke Dial SS Resin Chrono Quartz Men’s Watch GSTS110-1A

From G-SHOCK, the watch brand that is constantly setting new standards for timekeeping toughness, comes G-STEEL, a watch series with a new “layer guard structure”. Different materials are used for the bezel to create a two-layer structure that adds a new dimension of shock resistant. For models that use stainless steel in the upper part, shock absorbing resin is employed in the lower part. If resin is used in the upper part, fine resin is used in the lower part to cushion against impact from the upper part. This also has made it possible create a wide range of different designs. The GST-S110 model expresses the hardness and beauty of metal. A hand shift feature temporarily moves hands out of the way with the press of a button for easy reading of digital display contents, while double LED face illumination keeps information easy to read at all times.
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U.S. Polo Assn. Classic Men’s USC80038 Gunmetal-Tone Bracelet Watch

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Daniel Wellington Men’s Dapper St. Mawes 38mm Leather Band Watch, Rose Gold, One Size

An understated Daniel Wellington watch named for a small town on the coast of Cornwall, England. Rose gold-tone case with marks on the fives. Japanese movement. White dial. Single crown design. Italian leather band.




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ROLEX DAY-DATE II 2 PRESIDENT YELLOW GOLD WATCH WITH DIAMOND AND RUBY DIAL FLUTED 218238

Brand new, I am a retailer who purchased this from Dubai, UAE. Rare item, great investment.


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Daniel Wellington Men’s 0202DW Canterbury Stainless Steel Watch with Tricolor Nylon Band

Multi-colored nylon strap with stainless steel case and white dialDurable and scratch resistant mineral crystalQuartz MovementCase Diameter: 40mmWater Resistant To 99 Feet



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Daniel Wellington Men’s 0109DW Classic Bristol Stainless Steel Watch with Brown Strap

Brown leather watch with rose gold tone stainless steel case and eggshell white dialDurable and scratch resistant mineral crystalQuartz MovementCase Diameter: 40mmWater Resistant To 99 Feet


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