Benarus has announced availability of their newest TI47 models. The TI47 incorporates titanium construction and an expanded case size into the stylish good looks of the Benarus Moray (which we reviewed here). The TI47 is a lovely and simple design which has been built to be as tough as possible. This Benarus features a 4mm double domed sapphire crystal, 2000m water resistance and timekeeping is provided by the reliable Swiss ETA 2824-2. Assuming your wrist can handle the 47 mm case, the TI47 should have little trouble keeping pace.
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Helson watches is one of the relatively new group of small dive watch brands which has cropped up in the wake of expanding production capabilities in China that offer competent manufacturing and quality control processes to those willing to design a watch primarily made of catalog components (case, bracelet, etc). The dive watch collector base is ravenous and fairly large so there are many companies which have sprouted up in the last five years to offer nicely made and fully capable sport watches for a less-than-Swiss price. Helson offers a fairly wide range of divers but the model that most interested us was Shark Diver 42 which offered a tool style dive watch in a more wrist friendly 42 mm case, a range of dial colors and even a choice of automatic movements.
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Omega has announced the newest version in their series of James Bond branded watches. This Seamaster celebrates the 50th anniversary of of the 007 films. Based on the “Bond” style Seamaster 300 M platform, these anniversary editions feature either 41 or 36.25 mm stainless steel cases and ceramic bezels which have had the 50 minute marker dressed up in red.
The dial features a less-than-subtle 007 design repeated across its surface and a date window at three o’clock. This COSC certified model is powered by the Omega 2507 automatic Co-Axial movement with a special rotor featuring a design that looks like a bullet. As this is a Seamaster, the predictable 300m water resistance and a manual (crown operated) helium escape valve are still present.
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JeanRichard is one of the more overlooked of the Swiss luxury brands, seldom seeing the fan fare that Omega, Rolex or even Tag Heuer enjoy. The brand is the result of a JeanRichard family presence in watchmaking which, according to the brand’s website, dates back to 1681. Today, JeanRichard has a large collection of watches spanning three model ranges which are exclusively powered by their own in-house movements. At SIHH this year, JeanRichard announced a new model in their Diverscope line of cushion case dive watches, the Diverscope LPR.
This new Diverscope features the use of a conventional stainless steel case and a trick linear power reserve (hence the LPR) which changes the numeral at 12 o’clock from white to black as the power reserve empties. The case is 43 mm wide and 13.4 mm thick with a water resistance rating of 300 meters.
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Few companies have embraced the “vintage inspired” trend with more enthusiasm (and success) than Jaeger-LeCoultre. JLC has a wonderful horological history and many classic models on which they can draw inspiration for new designs or tributes to past models. With notable examples like the lovely Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 and the gorgeous Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea, JLC has a firm grasp on their strengths in both aesthetic watch design and technical innovations. The latest model to join their vintage brigade is the Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph (ref: 207857J) which builds on the success of 2011′s Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea by incorporating a two register chronograph into its vintage diver DNA.
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Seiko recently announced a new model in the SAR line of mid-range dress watches. The new SARX range is powered by the Seiko 6R15 automatic movement and comes with a domed sapphire crystal up front and a display case back. The 6R15 is Seiko’s answer to the ETA 2824 and offers the hacking and hand winding ability not seen in their 7Sxx models. Measuring 40 mm across and 13 mm thick, the SARX series should suit any wrist but its styling may prove to be polarizing.
Precursor SAR lines features reserved styling and subtle details while the new SARX features massive markers and roman numerals at twelve and six. These new SARX models are nice looking watches, but we wonder how much more elegant the design might have been if the markers were 50% smaller. Available with your choice of a white (SARX001), black (SARX003) or blue dial (SARX005), this new range from Seiko appears to be available only in Japan with a list price of 68250 JPy (~$890 at time of publication) but grey market dealers will ship worldwide and their pricing is closer to $680 USD. This new design adds a considerable amount of depth and texture to the dial but the over sized markers may prove to be too flashy for an otherwise conservative design. Additional models after the jump.
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Last year we saw the introduction of the Schofield Watch Company and their launch models, the Signalman GMT PR and Signalman DLC GMT PR. These limited edition models pack a formidable case size, lovely British styling, and a host of additional complications. What had essentially started as a passion project for Schofield owner and founder Giles Ellis, has now evolved into a legitimate and very appealing watch brand.
Based out of a small village north of Brighton in the UK, Ellis has no fellow employees and applied his background in design to shape a watch he would like to own. Ellis invested over two and a half years on the Signalman design and production while still managing to create and launch the Schofield brand, its website and he even does all of the photography in house. It’s this attention to detail and love of control that often makes for an excellent product.
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Bremont announced yesterday that they have built upon the success of their military-only C-17 Globemaster model by creating their first World Timer, the ALT1-WT. Featuring the same super hardened Trip-Tick style case we loved on the Supermarine, this new globetrotting tool is powered by the COSC certified Bremont BE-54AE movement and buyers will have the choice of a blue, black or white dial. The BE-54AE is the same movement found in the ALT1-Z line of GMT chronographs and, in addition to its ability to track multiple timezones, allows the ALT1-WT distinct sub-dials for 30 minutes, 12 hours (total measure) and sub seconds.
World timing is handled by the chapter ring of the ALT1-WT which includes a complete timezone listing and allows the user to easily track time changes between their home timezone and any timezone they may travel too (using the GMT hand). Along with a listing of a main cities from each zone (Paris, Tokyo, New York, etc), each of the 24 cities includes a numerical timezone reference. For example, New York City is in EST-5 or, using London as 24 (GMT), NYC is numbered 19. By applying these numbers, the user will be able to quickly determine the local time of any of these cities and reference it against their own.
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While Watch Report has covered a series of
Victorinox watches we have yet to review any of their mechanical chronographs and this is an omission we were excited to remedy when Victorinox announced new additions to the Infantry Vintage line. Fortunately, Victorinox was willing to loan us one of their newest models, the Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph. With the exception of a date function, the chronograph is likely one of the most popular complications and after spending some time with the Infantry Vintage, we can certainly understand why. Chronographs are both fun and functional, part mechanical marvel, part practical tool. Has Victorinox succeeded in porting that analog enjoyment directly to our wrists with this new addition to the Infantry Vintage line? In a word, yes.
With the expanding interest in both wrist top computing and integrated fitness watches it is of little surprise that CES would be host to some interesting new product announcements. Magellan, widely known for their handheld and in-car GPS solutions, launched their Switch and Switch Up series of fitness watches in a pre-CES press release this past Friday.
As you might imagine, the functionality of both the Switch and Switch UP watches hinges on their use of integrated GPS technology. The Switch is the entry range model and is intended for use with runners and offers a high resolution 1.26 inch display, eight hour battery life, 50 m water resistance and GPS connectivity. That connectivity will provide the Switch with distance, route and speed information which can be cross-referenced with caloric use or data from ANT+ systems like heart rate monitors, bicycle speed/cadence sensors and foot pods. The Switch UP series will build on the base model by adding a barometer, altimeter, thermometer, vibrating alarms and a “quick release mounting system to easily transition between sports”. This modular ability will allow the user to remove the main unit from their wrist and mount it on the handlebars of a bicycle.
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