Category: Review

Hong Kong based independent replica watchmaker and design studio Anicorn presents “The Trio of Time,” the first leg of artist collaboration in an effort to bring together international perspectives on time. The project comes after the company’s two successful Kickstarter campaigns for the Series 000 and Series K452 replica watches.

The Trio of Time (TTT) will follow the Anicorn founders as they travel to new cities and join forces with prominent designers to create new timepieces. Each replica watch will feature a unique design that represents the designer’s view on passing time, opening up a world where time is interpreted in a different way depending on a particular city, culture, and design method. Each of these collaborations will attempt to simultaneously bring together and expand the world of wristwatches, and the new creations will be launched each year as a Kickstarter campaign.

The first TTT adventure brings Anicorn founders Joe Kwan and Chris Chan to Seoul, Korea, to work with Jiwoong Jung for “Hidden Time,” a timepiece by the designer. Jung’s previous product design work has been featured in the 2012 and 2014 Maison & Objet Paris exhibitions, among others, and international design publications.

In exchange for donations on Kickstarter, backers will be able to own Hidden Time for the super early bird price of $129 USD. The replica watch’s design features a rotating circular gradient, which serves as the hour hand; as time passes, the gradient turns to reveal the white hour numerals printed on the glass above. Each hour appears as the dark end of the design passes under it, and slowly disappears as the gradient rotates back to white.

Anicorn will offer the replica watch to backers in three editions: black, rose gold and silver. Customizable leather replica watch straps are available in midnight, coffee and white, utilizing Anicorn’s smart docking system to interchange between styles. Each replica watch is unisex and features a simple typeface from Dinamo Typefaces, Favorit. The replica watch is driven by a Swiss Ronda Caliber 515 Quartz Movement, a high grade and reliable jeweled model that allows for smooth spinning with great accuracy.

Technical details
Movement: Swiss Ronda Caliber 515 Quartz Movement
Battery life: Around 45 months, featuring a power saving mechanism with pulled out stem: reduction of energy consumption is approximately 70%.
Housing: 316L Stainless steel, Ø 1.54 in (39mm), height 3.43in (8.7mm), back & screws, PVD plating
Glass: K1 Mineral + Sapphire Coating + Anti-reflection Coating.
Water resistance: 50 meters (5ATM).
Strap: Genuine leather + Stainless steel buckle with Smart docking system.

Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/221213970/hidden-time-watch

True to OMEGA tradition, every new Speedmaster carries the spirit and design inspiration of the models that came before. In the new Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer, this is immediately clear when you view the dial. The distinctive minute-track style first appeared on a 1968 Speedmaster model. Linked to the Speedmaster’s motor racing heritage, it returns again alongside other unique and refined features.

The Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer collection will make its début in 2017. The first model is stainless steel with a matt-black dial, a polished ceramic bezel with a brushed Liquidmetal® tachymeter scale, and distinctive orange wording that matches the colour of the varnished hands and tip of the seconds hand.

The second model has been crafted from 18K Sedna™ gold. The colour blue is used for the dial, the leather strap, and the ceramic bezel with its Ceragold™ tachymeter scale. Both models feature an “alternating” minute-track in a racing style which gives the models their name. This feature links back to early Speedmaster designs from 1968 that provided better readability for the wearer.

Compared to other Speedmasters of the past, it is worth noting that the 44.25 mm case of the new Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer is thinner than previous versions thanks to the work done on the sapphire crystal in particular.

Other notable features include bevelled arrowhead indexes filled with Super-LumiNova and subdials that have been slightly expanded for improved readability.

On the stainless steel model, there is a black leather strap that contains a section of orange rubber through the middle. A milling tool has then been used to create micro perforations through the constructed strap that reveal the orange rubber inside. This perforated design provides the perfect sporty look and also has the benefit of aerating the wearer’s skin.

These models represent the next Speedmasters with Master Chronometer certification. Driven by the calibre 9900/9901, the replica watch and its movement have reached the Swiss industry’s highest standard of precision, performance and magnetic resistance, as approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Meteorology (METAS).The replica watches come with OMEGA’s full 4-year warranty.

Unveiled at Baselworld 2017, the new Patek Philippe Ref. 6006G Calatrava pays tribute to the iconic ultrathin self winding Caliber 240 that celebrates 40th anniversary this year. Its unique dial design boasts an analog date and a seconds subdial placed between 4 and 5 o’clock. The reason for this is a design peculiarity of the caliber 240 PS movement. It was praised when Patek Philippe, in 1991, presented its ultra-thin self winding Calatrava Ref. 5000 model with a seconds subdial that became an unmistakably distinctive feature of the model family.

The new Calatrava Ref. 6006 in 18K white gold replaces the replica watches of the 6000 series launched in 2005. Subtly reworked, it further enhances the elegance of it sleek geometric design vocabulary. On the one hand, the classic round white-gold case was enlarged by 2 mm to 39 mm, giving it extra prominence on the wrist. At the same time, the larger diameter adds elegance to the case, highlighting its slender proportions. This, it offers even more space for a larger dial, encouraging the designers and dial production specialists to pull out all the stops.

What remains unchanged: the two-tone graphic concept, the uncluttered markings with plain Arabic numerals as well as excellently readable analog date with a scale on the outer circumference of the dial. Readily visible and always a worth a glance: the subsidiary seconds dial in its asymmetric position between 4 and 5 o’clock. Originality lies in the details. For example in ebony black and silver for the dials, or in the differentiate finissage of the individual circles. The center is black and glistens with its fine sunburst finish, while the silvery minute circle is delicately guilloched and printed with black minute and five-minute markers. The outer edge of the dial is contiguously ebony black but structured in two different textures: the date circle has a sunburst pattern, the hour circle is sublimely guilloched.

And the silvery seconds subdial stands between 4 and 5 o’clock like a light in the darkness. The hour and minute hands were also modified. They are longitudinally pierced and white-lacquered baton-style hands that are perceptibly broader yet still look very lightweight. Additionally, the date hand is now tipped with a red lacquered arrow that precisely points at the date numeral. It replaces the former lunar crescent.

This time window is framed by a broad, mirror-polished bezel as befits a classic Calatrava case in 18K white gold. Its sapphire-crystal case back presents attractive views from any angle as well. The bridge side of the lavishly finished caliber 240 PS C movement with polished chamfers, parallel Geneva striping, gold-filled engravings and the recessed 22K gold mini-rotor that displays an engraved Calatrava cross.

The highly precise movement has a rate tolerance between -3 and +2 seconds per day.
The shiny black Alligator strap with large square scales complements the distinctive elegance of the replica watch. It is secured with a fold-over clasp in 18K white gold.

Technical details
Model: Calatrava Ref. 6006G

Movement
Caliber 240 PS C
Self-winding mechanical movement. Analog date. Subsidiary seconds
Diameter: 30 mm (basic movement: 27.5 mm
Height: 3.4 mm (basic movement: 2.53 mm
Number of parts: 191
Number of jewels: 27
Power reserve: Min. 38, max. 48 hours
Winding rotor: 22K gold minirotor, unidirectionally winding
Frequency: 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 Hz)
Balance: Gyromax®
Balance spring: Spiromax® (in Silinvar®)
Balance spring stud: Adjustable

Functions
Two-position crown:
• Pushed home: To wind the replica watch
• Pulled out: To set the time
Correction push-pieces for date at 10 o’clock

Displays
Center hour and minute hands
Date by hand from the center
Seconds on a subdial between 4 and 5 o’clock

Hallmark
Patek Philippe Seal

Case
18K white gold, cambered sapphire-crystal glass
Sapphire-crystal case back
Water resistant to 30 m (3 bar)
Case dimensions: Diameter (10 to 4 o’clock): 39 mm
Width (9 to 3 o’clock incl. crown): 41.55 mm
Length (across lugs): 47.4 mm
Overall height (crystal to lugs): 10.24 mm
Height (crystal to display back): 8.84 mm
Width between lugs: 22 mm

Dial
Brass, four-zone finish in black and silver:
• Center ebony black sunburst
• Minute scale silvery, guilloched
• Hour circle ebony black, guilloched
• Date circle ebony black sunburst
Hour circle with white-printed Arabic numerals
Date circle with white-printed Arabic numerals
Hour and minute hands: skeletonized baton hands in 18K white gold, white lacquered
Date hand: Bronze, white lacquered, with red arrow tip
Seconds hand: baton-style, 18K white gold, black nickel-plated

Strap
Hand-stitched alligator leather with large square scales, shiny black, fold over clasp in 18K white gold

Name of this new timepiece is derived from the contraction of names of two gods belonging to two different mythologies:  Sol, the Roman god embodying the sun and Eos, the Greek goddess of the dawn. The silvery dial made of opaline is filled with rays starting from the centre and extending outwards to the chapter ring. Each of the geometric grooves sets up interplay of contrasts between the silver grey and the steel grey. The central hour, minute and second hands have been discreetly coated in silver, while the metal-bevelled date window has a special shape to blend into this light-filled decor.

Technical details
Reference 08.1155.G.6.6.68.2/6

Movement
Calibre EC9316 (based on ETA2824)
25.60mm in diameter, 4.60mm thick
25 jewels
28’800 vibrations per hour (4Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Automatic, Emile Chouriet bidirectional rotor

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds in the centre,
Date counter at 3H

Case
Steel
Bezel: Fixed, fluted, steel
Diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 30m
Glass: Sapphire glass
Case back: Sapphire
Crown: 3 positions (manual winding, date correction and time setting with stop-second mechanism)

Dial
Silver opaline, grooved and sanded, applied silver markers, printed minute track, steel lancine-style hands, steel second hand, and black Arabic numerals on a white disc

Strap
Steel links on three rows or black calfskin with alligator scales, folding clasp

Established by 18th century replica watchmaker Emile Chouriet, the Geneva based luxury replica watch brand bearing the founder’s name, pays tribute to the city affectionately known as the “city at the top of the lake” by presenting new Heritier models.

Two Genevan icons have been engraved on the new Heritier’s removable case back: the huge Jet d’Eau located in the middle of Lake Geneva and the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, a 19th century hydro power plant nestled on the Rhône. Personalisable text beneath each of these delicate designs gives the customer a unique chance to seal a Genevan memory, heartfelt message or meaningful quote for eternity.

Equipped with a self winding movement based on ETA2834, this classic timepiece boasts a classic ivory dial featuring an engine-turned centre with horizontal Côtes de Genève stripes and silver Roman hour numerals. The exclusive new Heritier Special Edition Geneva is only available at the Emile Chouriet studio in Geneva.

Technical details
Reference 08.1128.G.6S.2.05.6/2

Movement
Calibre EC9316 (based on ETA2824)
5.60mm in diameter, 4.60mm thick
25 jewels
28’800 vibrations per hour (4Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Automatic, Emile Chouriet bidirectional rotor

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds in the centre,
Date counter at 3H

Case
Steel
Bezel: Fixed, fluted, steel
Diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 30m
Glass: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Solid, with sapphire crystal, one removable double back with Geneva design engraving and personalisation
Crown: 3 positions (manual winding, date correction and time setting with stop-second mechanism)

Dial
Ivory with engine-turned Côtes de Genève in the centre, silver applied Roman numerals, black decal minute track, silver spear-shaped hands, silver central seconds hand, black on white date with Arabic numerals

Strap
Natural leather with white saddle stitching, needle buckle

Héritier with Windows
In this variation of Heritier line, the designers at the Geneva based replica watch brand have put their stylish mid-20th century spin. The traditional hour and minute hands have made way for four fan-shaped displays on the new Heritier’s glowing grey dial. The way you tell the time is different; it’s clean and vertical. First you see the hour in the black-on-white display at 12 then you look down to see the minutes at 6. The same goes for the date with the day at the top and the date at the bottom.

Discs bring the unique design to life powered by a selfwinding mechanical movement inside the 40mm steel case topped with Emile Chouriet’s signature double gadroon lugs.

Technical details
Reference: 18.1129.G.6.2.63.2/6

Movement
Calibre EC9227 (based on ETA2834 modified) 29.30mm in diameter, 5.05mm thick
25 jewels
28’800 vibrations per hour (4Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Automatic, Emile Chouriet bidirectional rotor

Functions
Displays for the hours at 12H and minutes at 6H, day of the week at 12H and date at 6H

Case
Steel
Bezel: Fixed, steel
Diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 30m
Glass: Sapphire glass
Case back: Solid, screw down
Crown: 3 positions (manual winding, date correction and time setting with stop-second mechanism)

Dial
Brushed sunburst dark grey, black-on-white displays

Strap
Polished and satin-finish double-row steel links or faux alligator black calfskin with folding clasp

The new Fair Lady replica watch’s dial with whirling waves take inspiration from the tutus worn by a Ballerina during her performance on stage. Like a comet fired by four gleaming diamonds at the cardinal points, it captures the light and is bathed in a shimmering glow. The Fair Lady comes in two case sizes with a quartz movement and can be worn with a steel or leather strap or around the neck like a precious charm.

Technical details
References
61.2181. L.6.2.27.6/2 – 61.2181.L.1.2.27.0/2
31.2180. L.6.2.27.6 – 31.2180.L.1.2.27.0

Movement
Quartz
Ronda 753 (three hands) or Ronda 751 (two hands)

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds in the centre or hours, minutes in the centre

Case
Steel or gold plated
Bezel: Fixed, steel or gold plated
Diameter: 22mm or 29mm
Water resistance: 30m
Glass: Sapphire crystal
Case back: Solid, thread or press
Crown: For time setting

Dial
Punched opalescent silver, four diamond markers, steel leaf-shape hands, steel central seconds hand

Strap
Stainless steel or gold plated band or white calfskin leather strap, needle buckle or folding clasp, steel or gold plated chain

The independent Swiss replica watch manufacturer ARMIN STROM has won the Red Dot Design Award 2017 for excellence in product design.

ARMIN STROM’s Mirrored Force Resonance contains more than just great mechanical design; this groundbreaking timepiece comprises an innovative, sophisticated mechanism created for the pursuit of precision in a way that has never before been seen in a wristwatch: the eminently visible animated resonance clutch spring that connects two oscillators, the most sensitive part of a replica watch’s movement.

Thus, the top of the movement becomes a stage for the stars of the timekeeping show underneath a transparent dome of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, putting the fascinating functionality of the oscillating balances squarely in the spotlight while simultaneously improving the replica watch’s precision using the phenomenon of resonance.

The international award, which is already celebrating its 60th anniversary, pays tribute to outstanding international product design in 31 different categories. In 2017, the prize winners were selected by a prestigious jury with some 40 members. It is made up of independent designers, professors and professional journalists who assess the products in an evaluation process lasting for several days.  More than 5,500 products from 54 different countries were entered this year. The winners were officially announced at a prize ceremony and gala on 3 July in Essen Opera House.

The Graff Princess Butterfly is a breathtaking showcase of fine craftsmanship – an intricately sculptured butterfly silhouette created after Graff’s master craftsman studied each curve and contour of a butterfly’s unique form.

A true masterpiece combines the beauty of diamonds and gemstones with the very best in technical innovation. Behind the Princess Butterfly’s show-stopping exterior is a jewelled timepiece, made even more precious and complex by an invisible setting – uniting beauty and construction in an achievement reminiscent of the natural butterfly’s wings.

The invisible setting remains one of the most complex techniques in jewellery craftsmanship and is created only by the precise skill and extensive knowledge of Graff’s master craftsmen. Allowing the beauty and complexity of the butterfly form to stand out uninterrupted, the invisible setting allows an unbroken surface of gemstones to float above the structure below.

First invented during the 1930s, the secret to the invisible setting are small grooves cut in the underside of each diamond or gemstone allowing them to slide onto a grid hidden beneath the stones. To achieve a finish of pure colour the chosen stones must be perfectly colour-matched, before being cut to fit tightly against one another as if made exactly for the delicate curvature of the butterfly wings.

Each Princess Butterfly replica watch case is set in white gold with 66 baguette diamonds. The butterfly wings are available in four different variations; Full diamond, ruby, sapphire and diamonds with sapphire detail.

Swiss replica watch brand Perrelet welcomes new additions to its “Turbine Pilot” family of replica watches.

The Turbine model, icon of the brand, is the most dynamic interpretation of the Double Rotor technology, the identifying symbol of the Perrelet brand.  The new Turbine Pilot, with a sporty look, finds its inspiration in the world of aeronautics. Just as in the cockpit of a plane, the Turbine Pilot is equipped with essential instruments for flight: the circular slide rule on the bi-directional inner rotating ring, adjustable thanks to the crown at 3 o’clock.

This new interpretation of the Turbine Pilot conserves all the features of professional aviation instruments, skillfully adding a new element: the turbine, independent from the movement, composed of 12 black anodized aluminium blades that rotate incredibly quickly at the slightest movement of the wrist, thanks to the tungsten counterweights under the blades.

In tribute to the blue of the sky, the hour, minute and second hands, as well as the raised indexes and the Arabic numerals 3,6,9,12 on the sapphire glass – take on an intense luminescent electric blue (Turbine Pilot A1095/2). The minute circle has the same tone. The electric blue stripes contrast with the black under-dial, as does the spiral which decorates the central part of the turbine.

For those who appreciate “tone on tone”, luminescent grey takes the place of electric blue, thereby giving birth to a new version with a more discreet style (the Turbine Pilot A1095/1).

The Turbine Pilot is equipped with a Perrelet P-331 automatic calibre, made in-house at the brand’s workshops. It has a power reserve of 42 hours and is waterproof to 5ATM. The movement, with its open-worked oscillating weight decorated with the Perrelet logo, is visible thanks to the transparent case back.

The Turbine Pilot boasts a two-material black leather and rubber alligator strap, with a black PVD stainless steel clasp and the Perrelet logo.

Technical details
Turbine Pilot Ref. A1095/2 and A1095/1

Movement
Perrelet P-331 calibre, mechanical with automatic winding
28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Number of rubies: 25
Power reserve: 42 hours
Open-worked and rhodium-plated oscillating weight with Perrelet logo

Functions
Hours, minutes and seconds, bi-directional rotating ring with circular slide rule as used in aviation, countdown

Case
Round, black PVD stainless steel, fluted caseband
Diameter: 48 mm
Thickness: 13.48 mm
Bi-directional rotating ring thanks to the crown at 3 o’clock
Sapphire glass with double anti-reflective treatment
Transparent sapphire glass case back
Waterproof to 5 ATM

Dial
Ref. A1095/2:
– Black under-dial with electric blue stripes
– Turbine technology
– 12 anodized aluminium turbine blades with five underneath tungsten counterweights
– Electric blue Arabic numerals 3-6-9-12 and indexes on the inside sapphire glass
– Minute disc with the first 15 minutes highlighted in electric blue
– Central luminescent electric blue hour, minute and second hands
Ref. A1095/1:
– Grey under-dial with black stripes
– Turbine technology
– 12 anodized aluminium turbine blades with five tungsten counterweights on the case back
– Grey Arabic numerals 3-6-9-12 and indexes on the inside sapphire glass
– Minute disc with the first 15 minutes highlighted in grey
– Central luminescent grey hour, minute and second hands

Strap
Bi-material black leather and rubber alligator strap, with a black PVD stainless steel folding clasp and the Perrelet logo

Carl F. Bucherer presents a diamond set variation of its Patravi Scubatec Ladies, a feminine version of the Swiss replica watch brand Patravi Scubatec diving replica watches. On this new variant, the strap lugs and the bezel are set with diamonds.

The sporty look of this ladies’ dive replica watch is highlighted by the accentuated 36-mm case in stainless steel. The clearly visible crown protection is water-resistant to a depth of 200 meters. The connection between sport and elegance is not only characterized by one single large diamond set into each lug, but also by the stainless steel bezel with graphite-colored ceramic inlays. It only turns counterclockwise, just like every Patravi ScubaTec. Instead of the classic digits and indices for diving and decompression times, four diamonds glisten at each of these positions. The zero position is marked by a luminous white dot.

The dial is in matt white, adorned with a subtle wave pattern, emphasizing the elegance of this timepiece. The twelve raised indices and all three hands are luminous, perfectly complementing the dial. Alongside its elegance, perfect readability is thereby ensured at all times. The CFB 1950 automatic caliber with a power reserve of 38 hours provides a precise and reliable driving force.

Carl F. Bucherer has developed two special straps for the Patravi ScubaTec. The rubber strap is dual-toned, with a gray primary tone and a structured, charcoal-colored stripe in a leather look that harmonizes with the ceramic elements in the bezel. The stripe is actually also made of rubber – that way Carl F. Bucherer elegantly combines modern design and practicality by ensuring that the Patravi ScubaTec can be worn in water without damaging the strap. The replica watch is also available with more subtle and slender stainless steel strap. The adjustable folding clasp affords a high level of comfort to both strap options.

Technical details
Reference number: 00.10634.23.23.31
Movement: automatic, CFB 1950 caliber, diameter 26.2 mm, thickness 4.6 or 4.8 mm, 25 or 26 jewels, 38 hours of power reserve
Functions: date, hour, minute, seconds
Case: stainless steel, strap lugs set with 4 TW vvs 0.6 ct. diamonds, bezel in stainless steel/ceramic set with 44 TW vvs 0.6 ct. diamonds, screwed crown, sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides, water-resistant to 200 m (20 atm), diameter 36.5 mm, height 11.37 mm
Strap: stainless steel, finely adjustable folding clasp in stainless steel
Variant: 00.10634.23.23.11 with rubber strap and finely adjustable folding clasp in stainless steel