Kicking off the second-last month of year, we review a couple of watches with interesting materials for cases – the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic diver and the Archimedes Pilot 42 Bronze. Next, we check out the top 10 most technically important electronic watches in history, find out why you should not look down on quartz watches, and learn more about the legendary Frédéric Piguet Caliber 1180.
1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ceramic Watch Review
Ceramic is arguably one of the most popular “exotic” materials for watches right now. Rolex has long embraced this material for their watches – the latest Submariner and GMT Master watches feature ceramic bezels – while other brands like Panerai and IWC both have watches with ceramic cases. Audemars Piguet is no stranger to this material, but this year they launched an all ceramic dive watch. Check out our full review here.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
2. Top Ten Technically Important Electronic Watches
It can be argued that mechanical watches possess more charm, but electronic watches are certainly more accurate, affordable and functional. In this post we cover what is, in our view, the top 10 most technically important electronic watches.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
3. TNT Challenger Black Luna Watch: Something Old, Something New, Something Awesome
In recent times, we have seen an increasing number of budding watchmakers and boutique brands taking to crowdfunding platforms to get their watches made. Such watches are a dime-a-dozen these days and most are uninteresting and lacking in horological legitimacy. However, the TNT Challenger Black Luna watch is a little different. If you are intrigued by the design, know that within it beats a Valjoux 7734 with added triple calendar and moon phase complications. To find out more, hit the link below.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
4. An Archimedes Screw Replica Pilot 42 Bronze Watch Review
Thanks to the limited edition Panerai 382 “Bronzo” from 2011, watches with bronze cases are the latest craze amongst boutique and small watch brands. The latest to join the bronze bandwagon is the Archimede Pilot 42 Bronze watch. A pilot watch with a bronze case? Actually, the design kind of works. Check out our review here.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
5. Remembering The Speidel Twist-O-Flex Watch Bracelet
Remember the Twist-O-Flex watch bracelet? I remember I had a Swatch with one of these. These were essentially flexible bracelet straps that could twist and easily fit just about any wrist. Interestingly, one of the companies responsible for the early popularity of these bracelets is still around and continues to make such bracelets and watches. We decided to pay them a visit to have a chat.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
6. A New Respect For Quartz Movement Watches: From Spring To Battery
The bracelet design is also quite wonderful. The watch includes an 18mm lug width, which looks a touch narrow to the case. The bracelet makes up with this with an 18mm endlink, which can be folded, that hides beneath the case, and the very first link is really 22mm wide, fitting the border of the circumstance. It then tapers into 18mm in the grip. This continues the flow of the case into the bracelet for continuity. The bracelet itself is rather sparse, with a nice amount of space between links. This, and the taper, give it a classic look and feel, but for my money, it makes it far more comfy than a stiff bracelet. The only negative for me is that the clasp, which is very basic and not especially well-made. The leather strap is fine also, just a bit less interesting/cost successful compared to the bracelet option. It’s a supple black leather with heavy graining and long, buttery border stitching. It also is 22mm wide in the case, using an excess shoulder/loop that’s 18mm, to fit from the lug. I like leather straps that do this, like the Di-Modell Chronissimo or RIOS Pilot, but I do want this one tapered. I find tapering straps are fairly critical on barrel cases to make a smooth transition.The Outdoors work on straps of different styles too. I put the Protect on a whiskey RIOS Cordovan strap that added a dressier, more stylish border to the watch. Though the gap between the case edge and the strap was a bit funny looking, the general look was very appealing and warmer than the watch on the bracelet. Both options would be good for the office.I then tried the PVD version on a black and grey “Bond” NATO, which also worked well. The lug spacing is tight, so this really is just one where you can not slide the NATO through, but it does match.
Despised, shunned upon and thoroughly misunderstood, that may be the best way to describe the general reaction towards quartz watches from us watch enthusiasts. But wait a minute, is quartz not a result of natural progression? Of our innate desire to use technology to improve our lives? Our resident watchmaker, Richard Paige, weighs in with his thoughts.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
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