Chopard 2014 Monaco Grande Historique

Breitling Navitimer 46mm and GMT

Breitling Press Release: An icon in great shape
Breitling begins a new chapter in the epic saga of its famous Navitimer aviation chronograph by launching a reinterpretation of the classic model in a larger diameter, as well as a travel version featuring revolutionary user friendliness. These two new variations on a legendary watch are both equipped with high-performance chronometer-certified Manufacture Breitling movements.

In 1952, Breitling created a ‘wrist instrument’ purpose-built for pilots and other aviation professionals. Equipped with a circular slide rule, the Navitimer serves to handle all calculations relating to airborne navigation. This chronograph unique in its kind and featuring an ultra-technical, original yet elegant design, soon established itself as the most iconic Breitling model and a cult object for all passionate aeronautical enthusiasts. A gilt-edged security. Produced without interruption for over 60 years, this fabled watch is also the doyenne of all mechanical chronographs worldwide – and one of the ten great 20th century watchmaking classics.

Navitimer 46 mm: a larger-than-life take on the legend
New size, new power: the classic Navitimer now appears in a larger 46 mm diameter – an XL look that enhances its presence on the wrist and accentuates the originality of its design while optimizing its readability. These generous dimensions further highlight the famous black dial produced using the “épargne” technique against a pure silver background – a method ensuring excellent readability and stunning radiance. The Navitimer 46 mm is also available with a blue dial featuring tone-on-tone counters. A transparent caseback provides a chance to admire Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, probably the world’s finest automatic chronograph movement, entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – the highest benchmark in terms of precision and reliability, and the only one based on an international norm. This larger-than-life take on the legend is fitted with a choice between a steel bracelet and a leather or crocodile strap. It also comes in a 200-piece red gold limited edition with a black dial.

Navitimer GMT: timezone ace
A trustworthy companion of airborne adventurers, the Navitimer has always viewed the world as its playground. The new Navitimer GMT confirms this vocation. Breitling decided to think big in creating this chronograph with a traveller’s soul. User friendliness is guaranteed by the ingenious Manufacture Breitling Caliber B04, clearly visible through the transparent caseback and equipped with a dual timezone system boasting peerless functionality: simply pulling out the crown and turning it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments enables instant setting of the travel timezone date and hour – while maintaining a home-time display in 24-hour mode and without losing any precision in terms of the minutes. The large-format steel case with its imposing 48 mm diameter frames a perfectly readable instrument panel. The new Navitimer GMT comes with two faces – a classic dial in black with silver counters or an all silver version – and may be fitted with a steel bracelet or a leather or crocodile strap. It is also available in a 200-piece red gold limited edition with a black dial.

Well… you know the Navitimer was and is my Grail watch!

Chopard – Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014 Edition

The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique chronograph is very clearly a racing watch.  With its matt titanium case, the beautiful yellow detailing and its racing style strap, it wonderfully evokes the golden days of  Formula 1 from the past. On your wrist in the cockpit of your car this watch will be like your instrument panel on your wrist.

For the seventh consecutive year, Chopard is the sponsor and official timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. On the weekend of May 10th – 11th 2014, the city of Monaco will be buzzing with the sound  track of former Formula 1 racing cars as well as old-timer Ferraris, Bugatti and other models. Traditionally, Chopard presents a chronograph in homage to each edition of this race which takes place every two years. However, this time Chopard has chosen to develop a completly new Grand Prix de Monaco Historique collection, of which the central chronograph piece is the first model to be revealed.
Myself and Lady Peanut are lucky enough to be going to the 2014 Historique Grand Prix, so it goes without saying that this delightfully crafted Chopard model has shot straight into our top ten of we want muchly watches.

Breitling The Pilot’s Watch – The Film

Hamilton Pan Europ Three Hander

The original re launch of this model came as a chronograph and the blue was a limited edition of 1000 pieces. For 2014 Hamilton have reduced the watch to a more manageable 42 mm from the 45 mm of the Chrono and have moved the date from 6 o’clock to 3 o’clock. Also a day display now resides next to the date box. A red full size sweeping hand completes the look.

The sunburst blue face really comes to prominence on this very clean looking watch and the overall effect is very striking. To our eyes this is a big winner for Hamilton. The Chrono is good but a much more affordable 3 Hander in the 42 mm case will be an irresistible proposition for most, myself included probably.