Together with Fortis, Louis Erard belongs to Gevril Group: a tiny conglomerate currently owned by Samuel Friedmann. In late 2010, the watchmaker has presented a new member of their Classic 1931 collection. Called 1931 Chronometer (Ref. 79 220 OR 22), the premium-priced chronograph is now available in an even more expensive body that is crafted from 18-karat rose gold.
50 m
Jaquet Droz SW Chronograph is Highly Unusual
Revealed at the beginning of the year, the 2010 Jaquet Droz SW Chronograph (ref. J029530409) is one of the most attractive models in JD’s current collection of sporty timekeepers. Featuring the laconic bi-compax layout, an easily readable big date indicator, and a pair of partially open-worked hour and minute hands with nice yellow-orange Superluminova on them, this elegant timekeeper is an ultimate “tool” for the few survivors of the nuclear Holocaust.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Blue 6158-SS001-43E
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Blue (Ref. 6158-SS001-43E) boasts an attractive three-dimensional blue dial and… not much else. Still, its compact stainless steel body, which is only 40 millimeters in diameter and not particularly thick at 12.50 mm, is nicely sculpted and is also perfectly finished giving the three-hander that sporty, energetic appearance that some money-savvy customers may find more than attractive.
Philosophy of Time: JS Watch Co. Islandus Chronograph
The new JS Watch Co. Islandus Chronograph collection of self-winding watches was first announced by the Iceland-based brand only a couple of months ago. Surprisingly, it took the watchmaking specialist a very short span of time to actually start selling the timepiece. Featuring a deceptively simple, vintage-styled design of its dial with all of its elements carefully thought over and executed with great attention to details, the new chronograph comes in a somewhat oversized stainless steel body, which is a little too big to my taste, but still looks great on a wrist of an average person.
IWC 98300-Based Ralph Lauren Sporting
The U.S.-based fashion brand Ralph Lauren is serious about its attempt to expand its reach beyond expensive clothing and luxury accessories and to become a real watchmaking specialist even though they still can’t afford to make their movements. At the SIHH 2011 trade show, the fashion house has presented its vintage-styled (or, rather, vintage-inspired) Sporting Collection. Featuring a hand-wound “pocket watch” caliber from IWC, it comes in a deliberately oversized case that serves as a (pretty massive, I must note) steel frame for the “historic”, speedometer-styled dial.
Inspired by Garbage Truck: Morpheus Passagen H.R. Giger
An American-based brand Atelier Morpheus has presented its second custom-made Passagen H.R. Giger. (Indirectly) inspired by nothing less than a German garbage truck, the piece bears all the easily recognizable (although too dark for a normal person) design cues that the German industrial designer is famous for.