All articles tagged with #horology
Omega launches the Speedmaster 38 collection, delivering a true revival of the Speedmaster Reduced in a 38mm Moonwatch-inspired package with a 52-hour automatic Co-Axial movement, modern bracelet, and multiple dial variants (including a black no-date model); starting at $6,500 and available now.
Omega reveals a new generation of the Speedmaster 38mm, dropping the oval subdials in favor of a Moonwatch‑style look, a wider bezel, and an updated 5‑link bracelet with Omega’s micro‑adjust. Seven variants span steel, bi‑metal, and diamond‑set bezels, including black, white, silver, ivory, and Moonshine/ Sedna gold accents, all using Caliber 3330 or 3332, in a 38mm case about 14.75mm thick. Prices start at $6,500 (steel) and rise to around $13,100 for diamond models, with availability listed as now. The piece notes the refresh is aesthetically strong but wishes for slimmer proportions and a new caliber in the future.
Six years with the Calibre 321 Speedmaster show it as the standout modern steel Speedmaster: it wears like a high-end piece thanks to the galvanic dial, meticulous finishing, and hand-assembled movement, even without Master Chronometer certification or strong water resistance. Magnetism issues were quickly resolved under warranty, and at about €17,100 it’s pricier than the standard Moonwatch, but the author would buy it again if budget allows, with a vintage 105.003 as a compelling alternative.
MONOCHROME’s team shares their personal favorites from Watches & Wonders 2026, highlighting standout releases across brands such as A. Lange & Söhne, Bulgari, Grand Seiko, H. Moser & Cie, IWC, Parmigiani Fleurier, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer and Tudor. The picks span practical innovations, avant-garde design, and refined movements—from the Saxonia Annual Calendar and the Octo Finissimo Automatic 37 to the Ushio 300 Diver, Streamliner Pump, ProSet calendar, Chronograph Mysterieux and Nautilus 5610P—with promise of further selections in upcoming coverage.
At Watches and Wonders 2026, several relatively affordable luxury watches stood out: NOMOS Tangente Neomatik 38 Update ($4,690); Oris Artelier Complication (~$2,900–$3,156); Sinn 308 Hunting Watch (€2,570 / about $3,000) in Sinn’s first appearance at the show; Norqain Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life Sprinkles ($6,150–$6,290); and Tudor Monarch ($5,875). The roundup shows that the fair still yields stylish, well-made options in the five-figure realm with clever complications and distinctive designs amid the ultra-luxury spotlight.
A roundup of 21 new watches spanning affordable to luxury brands, from Timex and Casio to Universal Genève and Rexhep Rexhepi, showcasing innovations like meteorite dials, crownless designs, micro-rotors and mecha-quartz tech across collaborations, limited editions, and standout compacts.
A 19-watch roundup spanning luxury to affordable, highlighting standout releases such as IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium, Tissot T-Race MotoGP 2026 Limited Edition, Ressence Type 9 Ikeda, Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition, Panerai Radiomir Viaggio Nel Tempo duo, Casio G-Shock GSTB400-1AWC, Citizen x Honda Ana-Digi Temp 2026 Prelude, Timex Waterbury Heritage Chronograph Ice Blue, and other releases from Orient, Nodus, Yema, Baillod, Dryden, Nivada Grenchen, Breitling, G-Shock, Panerai and more, illustrating a broad, dynamic mix of materials, calibers, and limited editions across the watch world.
WIRED tests whether spending $4,550 on a single versatile “GADA” watch (the Tudor Black Bay GMT) yields more utility than assembling an equal-value collection of affordable timepieces (Baltic Aquascaphe, Dennison Midnight Aventurine, Hamilton Khaki Field Murph, Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer, Brew Super Metric). The five-watch lineup totals about $4,380, leaving room for a case and extra straps, and highlights the trade-offs between a single luxe piece and a diversified budget ensemble for daily wear, travel, and style.
Breguet had an exceptional year in 2025, celebrating its 250th anniversary with groundbreaking new models that showcased impressive craftsmanship, innovative movements, and bold designs, reaffirming its status as a top watch brand despite some industry criticisms.
TAG Heuer has developed a groundbreaking carbon fiber-based hairspring called TH-Carbonspring, which offers advantages like being amagnetic, shock-resistant, and lightweight, potentially revolutionizing high-end watchmaking. The company showcased this innovation with limited-edition versions of its Monaco and Carrera chronographs, featuring extensive use of carbon fiber in their design.
The latest trend in luxury men's watches for 2023 is the introduction of purple timepieces, with top brands like Seiko, Oris, Audemars Piguet, and Hublot leading the charge. These watches are not just functional but also serve as bold fashion statements, showcasing individuality and craftsmanship. Highlights include the Grand Seiko Heritage with its Jōdogahama beach-inspired design, the Oris Hölstein Edition 2023 with its purple dial and case back, the Seiko Presage Sharp-Edged Series GMT with its Akebono-inspired hues, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept "Black Panther" with a hand-painted character on the dial, and the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire with its polished purple sapphire crystal case. These watches are limited editions, combining avant-garde aesthetics with precision engineering, and are designed for those who dare to stand out.
The article showcases five exceptional luxury watches from the past year, each featuring intricate complications that go beyond simple timekeeping. Vacheron Constantin's Les Cabinotiers Dual Moon Grand Complication astounds with astronomical functions, while Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 combines a multi-axis tourbillon with artistic craftsmanship. Audemars Piguet's Code 11.59 Ultra-Complication Universelle RD#4 is a self-winding wristwatch with over 1,100 components and 23 complications. Greubel Forsey's Tourbillon Cardan offers a high-speed tourbillon for improved precision, and Jacob & Co.'s Astronomia Revolution features a fast-rotating carousel for a dynamic display. These watches represent the pinnacle of watchmaking, combining technical innovation with luxury design for the world's elite collectors.
Seiko, a Japanese watch brand, has proven its mettle in the watchmaking world and offers a range of beautiful and functional timepieces. Despite being associated with being a discount brand, Seiko has made significant contributions to the horological industry and has a worldwide impact. The article highlights the best Seiko watches for men, including the Seiko 5 Sports SKX Style, Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Cub, Seiko 5 Sports Field Style, Seiko Prospex PADI Edition Diver, and Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph. Seiko is known for its versatility, style, affordable prices, and impressive movements.
In 2002, astronaut Don Pettit repaired his loose-crown Omega Speedmaster watch using a Leatherman multi-tool, tweezers, and duct tape while aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This repair not only fixed his watch but also revolutionized NASA's approach to on-orbit repairs. Prior to this, the standard procedure was to replace entire units rather than fixing them. However, after the Columbia disaster in 2003, which grounded the shuttle fleet for two and a half years, Pettit's watch repair demonstrated that fine repairs could be done in space. This led NASA to adopt a new mindset and start taking apart and fixing equipment on the ISS.