It is definitely going to be a year of remakes! At the upcoming Baselworld 2011 show, Longines will reveal its new Twenty-Four Hours (ref. L2.751.4.53.4) “aviator.” Featuring everything a die-hard fan of vintage style could hope for (well, perhaps sans the movement since the new version comes powered by a modern self-winding mechanism), the new timekeeper is a good example of a “vintage-modern” pilot’s watch that successfully combines historic styling with reliability and ease of use provided by modern technology.
Look at this Richard Mille with a “Declutchable” Rotor!
During the SIHH 2011 event, Richard Mille presented its RM 030 model with a so-called “declutchable” rotor: a complication that, unlike something as unnecessarily sophisticated as a tourbillon or a minute repeater, is not just nice to have but is actually quite useful for many reasons.
Designed to slow down the process of wearing-out of the self-winding mechanism, the declutchable rotor is what it is: a rotor that, colloquially speaking, disengages its “clutch” the same way an automatic gearbox declutches, um, automatically when you press on the brake pedal while stopping at a traffic light. In this particular instance, the winding system is physically disengaged from the winding barrel as soon as the estimated power reserve reaches the 50-hour mark.
JeanRichard Bressel Hommage a Daniel is a Tribute to the Brand’s Founder
As the name implies, the new JeanRichard Bressel Hommage a Daniel (ref. 60119-52-70A-AA6) is a tribute to the gorgeous Daniel pocket watch from the XVIII century. Created by Daniel JeanRichard just over 300 years ago at 1710, it featured a sophisticated chain and fusee mechanism, featured an egg-like case that allowed to admire the mechanism in all of its beauty, and can be considered a true marvel even in our time after three centuries of constantly accelerating technological progress.
A BMW On Your Wrist: Richard Mille RM 029 Big Date
The 2011 Richard Mille RM 029 Automatic Big Date offers RM’s signature tonneau case, an expertly skeletonized movement, and an oversized date module. Soon to be available in three versions of its mildly oversized body, the RM 029, as always, is going to be -ahem- reassuringly expensive and deliciously exclusive: just what we like, right?
Baume & Mercier Capeland Flyback Chronograph
The vintage-styled Baume & Mercier Capeland Flyback Chronograph (refs. M0A10006 & M0A10007) collection is a modern re-interpretation of the classic “monopusher” design from 1948. This version will appeal to many representatives of the generation of baby boomers looking for a nice “classic” chronograph at a relatively affordable price. What could be even more exciting (for the brand,) there is a good chance that some of the brand’s younger customers would want one of these timekeepers, too, thanks to its impeccable finish, elegant exterior design, and, of course, the good mechanism made by La Joux-Perret: the brand’s new source of mechanical calibers.
IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Caliber 59210
Playing on the crowded field of -ahem- “affordable” luxury dress watches, the Portofino range has always been somewhat of an ugly duck in the family of beautiful swans. Now, however, updated with the 2011 IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Caliber 59210 (Ref. 5101) model, the collection has been moved a tad upmarket.