Among many novelties, three of them from Vacheron Constantin are extremely limited. The Vacheron Constantin Metiers dArt line is a tribute to some of the Worlds most famous explorers, and, as one would expect from this holiest of brands, each one of these pieces has been caressed into being by the hands of a trained artisan. It s hard to associate work like this with the majority of the industry. This is real art. And while it is, like the kind of art we d expect to see hanging on the walls of galleries around the world, divisive, no one could realistically disparage the effort and skill put into these models creation.?To commemorate the greatest Portuguese explorers of the 15th century, Va...

Some of you may remember Dead Or Alive s hit song from 1985. Rarely has it been a more fitting theme tune for a luxury watch, than it is for this one. You ve heard of Tourbillons, I take it? Perhaps you ve even seen watches with multiple Tourbillons before? How about multi-axis Tourbillons? Oh, okay. You re clearly a pro. But tell me this: just how many watches with two three-axis-Tourbillons have you seen before? Interested? Me too…You don t need to feel ashamed if you haven t come across the brand Purnell before. It s our task at Fratello to close such gaps. The brand s subtlety and credo already give a clear impression of what it is about: only Tourbillons. Purnell today is a high-e...

When I took a look at the 2020 Vacheron Constantin Overseas QP in pink gold, I still longed for the steel version. The pink gold case with matching bracelet certainly had an allure with the luscious blue dial. But for many, gold is still a barrier of entry for those looking to upscale to a complicated timepiece with sumptuous hand-finishing, but in stainless steel. One of today s announcement offers a glimpse to the potential of white metal on the QP, but if anything is more expensive in the white gold case and bracelet.Sorry to bait and switch with the promise of steel on blue dial Overseas QP. I, too, had the hope for a utilitarian material mixed with high-end hotness. For now, Vacheron in...

If you ve spent as long in and around the luxury watch industry as I have, you ll know the feeling I m about to describe: sometimes, you love a brand for all the right reasons and adore its products because each and every one has a distinct character, a story to tell, or a level of craftsmanship that blows your mind without seemingly having to try, and yet somewhere, in the back of your mind, you feel like there might be more to come. Often, in ways we cannot predict, brands are still able to surprise us. And, in doing so, show us a vision of something yet more majestic that could be just around the corner. The A. Lange & S?hne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase first bewitched me, before sending...

With every watch comes a story, whether personal or one of the world s biggest events. A story connected to a watch is often the most powerful aspect of a watch. But what if the watch becomes the actual storyteller? By doing so, a watch becomes more than just a timepiece. It becomes art. Louis Moinet is a brand that has mastered the art of storytelling through its timepieces. Can you imagine our reaction when the brand announced its new Moon Race series? It won t surprise that we were curious to find out what that would look like.You can look at a watch as a tool as most people do. The technical wizardry that goes into creating a watch is often already an art form. It s an art form that the ...

Some brands have icons. What we mean by that is a particular model that has not only stood the test of time but also come to define not just the brand but also an entire market segment. Sure, the term is grossly overused, but when using it to describe the Lange 1, there can be no doubt - we are in the presence of an icon. What makes the Lange 1 family different from, say, the Datejust or Submariner is exactly how much variation there is within it. The A. Lange & S?hne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is really a model in its own right, and this particular iteration lives up to the long and prestigious history that came before it.From a distance, the models within the A. Lange & S?hne coll...

Not so long ago, in 2020, Vacheron Constantin released its second iteration of the egerie collection with a completely new design. Today the new egerie comes out! Indeed, it is a high jewelry timepiece but very contemporary regardless. For me, its a very significant design that changes perspective on ladies watches, and heres why-We have two new models to assess: the 18k white gold and the 18k 5N pink gold Vacheron Constantin egerie. These watches are set with 912 round-cut diamonds, turning what would otherwise be a demure 35mm case into a devastating glitter explosion. Among the (beautiful) noise, it is almost lost that the crown sits at 1 o clock - a nice touch that gives the case more to...

Lange and S?hne is back with a host of new releases. In this brief article, we take a look at the flagship model, the limited edition Triple Split chronograph in pink gold with dark blue dial.Lange and S?hne rarely fails to impress. Since returning to the market in 1994, they ve made some incredible watches that easily rank amongst the best of the best from the likes of Patek and other high end brands. Today, Lange returns with a new version of a watch that first debuted back in 2018 – the Triple Split chronograph. The original model came in white gold with a gray dial whereas today s piece is in pink gold with a bold blue facade.The Long Triple SplitLange will make 100 pieces of its n...

At Vacheron Constantin, there is one department that exclusively produces unique custom-made watches: Les Cabinotiers. Each year a few watches that have been built in this department are presented to the public. In 2021 the brand releases three single-piece, high complication watches.Have you ever dreamed of designing your own watch? Vacheron Constantin is making this possible for you. They are running a department that does nothing else. In commemoration of the tradition of watchmakers from the 18th century, this department carries the name Les Cabinotiers. A Cabinotier was a (usually highly skilled) watchmaker who built watches all by himself on request. Back then, there was no serial prod...

Chronoswiss kicks off its Watches and Wonders showing with the new Open Gear ReSec Paraiba, a limited edition model with a dramatic handmade guilloche dial.Whenever I see a new Chronoswiss, I must admit that two distinct memories come to mind. Firstly, I think about seeing Chronoswiss watches from the 90s with their massive crowns and how my Dad almost bought one. My next and final recollection is far more recent. I return to recent Baselworld events, seeing the watches, and recall the evening Chronoswiss cocktail event. While those things are in the past, one thing continues on and that s Chronoswiss and some mighty fine looking watches. Today, that continues with the new Open Gear ReSec P...

Sure, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 watches mark the 100th anniversary of a watch nicknamed American 1921, so it s time to welcome another version of VC s classic driver s watch to the paddock, this time in ice-cold platinum… But will it be a success 100 years after it first saw the light of day??The very first wristwatch was reputedly invented in 1868 but it looked completely different from what we are used to now. I always felt we live in times in which our choices depend so much on the prevailing trends, but also on the standards and pressures others put on us. I really wish people would make more diverse choices in terms of fashion, but also watches. Undoubt...

One of the exciting experiences during watch fairs is the encounter with rare super complication watches. A few brands demonstrate what they are capable of C continuously stretching the limits of what is considered possible in watchmaking. In 2003 Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the first model of their Hybris Mechanica family. Since then, the brand adds one spectacular family member after another. Each new model is not just a modification of the previous one but a completely new approach, new design, and new movement. This year, too, Jaeger-LeCoultre doesn t disappoint us: the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 is the brand s new mind-blowing creation.As you probably know, the concept for the ...

Jaeger-LeCoultre s original 1931 reversible case served to protect the fragile glass on the dial side by flipping the case on the wrist. With the steel case-back facing up, the glass beneath was less prone to damage. The necessity for this design was born out of British polo players wanting to track time without damaging the crystal during polo matches in post-war India. It s a well-known legend, but these days sapphire crystal has become strong enough to withstand whatever life throws at it. The scratch resistance of sapphire is so much that many of JLC s Reverso collection have sapphire displays on both sides yet retain the iconic reversing case.New for 2021 is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso...

For over the last 170 years Cartier has influenced the fine jewelry styles as well as the watch industry. Some of Cartiers most iconic pieces of jewelry and watches resemble the elegant and powerful panther. The Panthere motif was Jeanne Toussaints excellent idea. Back in those days, Toussaint, as Head of Creation at Cartier, designed the Panthere wristwatch with wildcat print made of gold and black enamel. Today the French Maison shares some new Haute Joaillerie releases that refer to its wild heritage.The Libre collection focuses on some of the most exotic shapes the French brand has ever conceived. The first highly jeweled creation is the Baignoire. On Fratello, we re more than used to se...

In 1920, Cartier released a bell-shaped watch called Cloche de Cartier. It was original yet a bit quirky. The Cartier Prive collection is growing with new models inspired by this asymmetrical watch.?The Prive collection is a line that draws attention to the Cartier s much-vaunted past. Last year the French Maison presented the Tank Asymetrique, today we can get acquainted with the renewed Cloche de Cartier.The StoryCartier is a brand well-known for weird shapes. As we can see, this collection is very specific but intensely characterful as a result. As a luxury market lover, I am full of admiration for brands that make bold moves such as this. The Prive line is neither easily digestible nor p...

Known for its streetwear credentials and monogram bags, Louis Vuitton is known for being ahead of the curve, and it has been since its foundation in 1854. With its new Tambour Carpe Diem watch, Louis Vuitton continues to make a bold statement.The Calaveras motif has become a popular contemporary motif in art, design, and fashion. Previous years showed it is no different with watches. This year the French luxury Maison brings to the table the new highly complicated timepiece - the Tambour Carpe Diem. Closely related to the Memento Mori concept, the dial is a symbolic reminder of the transitoriness of life. I must confess I love how wild Louis Vuitton went to execute this concept.?The Dark Sid...

Once upon a time, it was easy to get brands new pieces in your hands on the day of their release. We used to have physical fairs to enjoy, but the global pandemic has put paid to that for many of us. Nowadays, seeing novelties on or before release is very difficult so we were thrilled when IWC made a special effort to send us the Chrono 41 model so we could put it through its paces in advance of its launch today.The new IWC Pilots Watch Chronograph 41 may look familiar but is actually a brand new fusion of design, movement, and case size. Visually, it most recalls the IWC reference IW377714 (Pilot s Watch Chronograph Edition Le Petit Prince), bringing the blue sun-ray dial and red going sec...

As one of the most recognizable luxury watches, the Cartier Tanks sleek design adorns the wrists of many of this French Maison s followers. Today, Cartier revealed the return of the legend - lets give a warm welcome to the Cartier Tank Must!In the 1970s, Cartier created a new line of watches: Must de Cartier. The original Must was controversial yet legendary. While its form paid homage to the original Tank Louis Cartier, the material used for the case and bracelet sent shockwaves through the industry, attracting a whole new clientele to the brand s door. Why? For the first time ever, Cartier did not use precious metals for the case. The Must de Cartier was an affordable turning point for the...

Setting quite substantial watches with diamonds is always a bold idea. The square shape, solid bracelet, and prominent steel screws are what define the Santos de Cartier. I have this feeling that to make the entire design even more outstanding only diamonds were missing. That was, of course, until now…New Models From The Santos de Cartier CollectionThe French brand expands its Santos collection with three new timepieces. However, the pure asceticism of the case is gone, usurped instead by a glittering case encrusted with 206 brilliant-cut diamonds. The beautifully shaped concept comes in three different variations.The first one, my favorite, a stainless steel watch with a steel sun-bru...

When, last year, Cartier announced the reintroduction of its Pasha collection, it was something of a special treat for the enthusiast. During the virtual Watches & Wonders 2021, the French brand has launched new variations: the 41 Pasha de Cartier Chronograph and the 30mm womens version. For those who missed the sporty Chronograph, or wanted to get a smaller version, its a real treat!?Well-known for its oval-shaped case, the 41mm Pasha de Cartier Chronograph is back. This time, however, Gerald Gentas design gets a little update. Before we dig into that, let s focus first on what remains unchanged. The two cabochon-topped pushers have the same size. Also, the dial features the same sporty...