Swiss watchmaker, Cimier, recently introduced the Petite Seconde Venom. Its 43mm stainless steel case has a black PVD finish, a polished finish on the bezel and case, and a brushed finish on the top of the lugs. Inside, is an ETA Unitas 6497 manual-wind mechanical movement. The movement has been blackened and features blued screws, all visible through a "Jorg Stiel" signed sapphire caseback. (Jorg Stiel is a former goal keeper for the Swiss national soccer team.)

MORE »

by Jason Pitsch | Permalink

1962. The space race was well under way. Already a supplier to civilian and military aviation, Breitling naturally took a keen interest in this new human adventure. Based on the Navitimer chronograph, the brand's technicians developed the Cosmonaute, a space-going version of this instrument indicating the daily 24 hours in a single sweep of the dial. Given the extremely relative nature of day and night in space, this configuration prevents possible confusion between midday and midnight. On May 24th 1962, the astronaut Scott Carpenter tested this instrument under real-life conditions during his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 capsule.

MORE »

by Jason Pitsch | Permalink

Rolex, the leading Swiss mechanical watch exporter, is also the owner of another watch company, Tudor. In the past, Tudor has not received a lot of media attention. However, in the last couple of years new products and a big advertising push has created much more visibility for the brand. They are positioned below Rolex price points and they definitely lean more towards sporty than dress. The Tudor HYDRONAUT II, introduced at Baselworld 2009, is one of their sportiest models yet.

MORE »

by Jason Pitsch | Permalink

This new collection of timepieces is inspired by Ernst Benz's original aircraft instrumentation. In the continual effort to tell the story of Ernst Benz and the precision aviation instruments the company is renowned for, Leonid Khankin, managing and creative director of Ernst Benz, is introducing a new dial and set of hands reminiscent of the original mid-century design that inspired the cockpit gauges Mr. Benz produced in the 1960s and 70s.

MORE »

by Jason Pitsch | Permalink

Kazimon is young watch brand, run by Kazim Kenzo. Currently they produce four different watch collections, including the Eintausend diver's watch collection (pictured). Like Sinn and UTS, Kazimon combines robust German cases with reliable Swiss automatic movements.

MORE »

by Jason Pitsch | Permalink

Oris recently announced a new limited edition pilot's watch, the Oris Swiss Hunter Team Limited Edition. It features a 46 mm stainless steel case with an anthracite PVD treatment and a bevelled top ring. The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal, with a double anti-reflective treatment. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals part of the movement and the Swiss Hunter Team logo. Inside, is the Oris 644 mechanical movement. Water-resistance is 100 meters. It comes with a brown leather strap and fold-over clasp.

MORE »

by Jason Pitsch | Permalink