Jason Pitsch

Meistersinger recently introduced a conservatively sized 38 mm diameter watch model (targeting men and women) called the Metris. It’s available in a number of dial variations (blue, black, opaline silver, ivory), with a large array of strap choices. The German-based watchmaker utilizes a Swiss made ETA 2824-2 modified to power the Metris’ single-handed operation, a specialty of the brand. This means that one hand displays the hours and minutes (and no seconds hand). Single-handed watches are very easy to read once you get used to them and quite refreshing in that sense. This particular version, Ref. ME908 features a dark blue dial with printed turquoise-colored hour markers. A domed sapphire crystal protects the dial along with cyclops magnified date window at 6 o’clock. The movement, although not particularly noteworthy for its finishing, is visible through the sapphire caseback which is

Adding on to their vintage collection, which received updated three-hand and chronograph models earlier in the year, is a new GMT watch from Bell & Ross. The BR V2-93 GMT 24H is not the first GMT from Bell & Ross as they came out with the BR03-51 GMT Carbon in 2013, the BR123 GMT 24H and BR126 Sport Heritage GMT Flyback in 2014, and the BR03-93 GMT in 2016 – but it’s the first within the vintage collection. These 41 mm diameter steel cased retro models, including the Racing Bird collection, are in my opinion highly attractive and well priced. Unlike the aforementioned vintage watches launched earlier this year with patinated lume, the BR V2-93 comes with the more traditional white luminescent material on the hands and markers. Like the Rolex GMT Master, the second time zone features quick correction

At the Phillips Geneva watch auction this past weekend a 1958 Omega Speedmaster 2915-1 “Broad Arrow” – which is the very first Speedmaster reference – sold for a record-breaking $408,500. The Speedmaster 2915-1 comes in a 38 mm diameter stainless steel case with the highly desirable (and collectible) Omega caliber 321 movement powering it. Making this the complete kit, are accouterments such as a stainless steel semi-expandable Omega stamped bracelet and deployant clasp, original red box and instruction leaflet, and an Omega extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch and its subsequent sale in Costa Rica on December 17, 1958. The Speedmaster was the first chronograph wristwatch to feature a tachometer on the bezel, as opposed to on the dial and has gone on to be a legendary watch worn on the moon, and highly regarded by

This is a one-of-a-kind Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref. 5524T-010, the “T” standing for titanium. Titanium Pateks are extremely rare, and therefore often worth even more than their steel or precious metal counterparts. Even though this is far less complicated than the titanium Patek Minute Repeater that was donated by Patek Philippe for Only Watch 2017, and generated over six million dollars for charity, this one should also command an enormous sum. (Ref. 5524T-010) The case features a unique brushed finish (as opposed to polished on the standard white or rose gold versions). The dial is also unique with a gray finish and a manually executed vertical satin-brushed surface. “Children Action 2018” is engraved on the caseback and the watch comes with a vintage black calfskin leather strap with contrast stitching. The auction will take place October 2018 at the

The Santos wristwatch dates all the way back to 1904 when pioneering aviator Albert Santos-Dumont told his friend Louis Cartier that he had difficulty checking the time on his pocket watch while flying. Based on this input from Santos, Cartier then went on to create what became the first watch specifically designed for the wrist. For 2018, Cartier has released a modernized collection of Santos wristwatches, all powered by automatic in-house caliber 1847 MC, with the exception of two skeleton models. The Santos de Cartier now has sleeker lines and updated ergonomics for the perfect fit on the wrist. The iconic square-shaped case remains unchanged. The eight screws on the bezel are still there as well, however, the design has been updated in a way to create better symmetry with the case and the strap. Considering that the strap is

This year Jaquet Droz introduced an interesting new highly skeletonized timepiece, housed in a 41 mm x 12.30 mm red gold, white gold, or a black ceramic case. The Grande Seconde Skelet-One features a sapphire dial at 12 o’clock, with printed Roman numeral hour markers, and printed dots for the minutes. The hour and minute hands are Alpha-shaped (18K gold for the ceramic and red gold versions and blued steel for the white gold version). Intersecting with the dial, below is an oversized seconds display, with a long baton hand and open-tipped counterweight (18K gold for the red gold and ceramic versions and blued steel for the white gold version). Together, these two off-center dials form a figure “8” which is an aesthetic signature of the brand. Both sapphire dials are affixed to the fully skeletonized mainplate by 5 screws

The Unico Blue Sapphire is, in my opinion, the most attractive sapphire watch on the market. With a 45 mm diameter round case, it’s much less crazy than some of the competing watches from Richard Mille or Bell & Ross, and considering it’s crafted from polished blue sapphire, which nobody else is using right now, makes it all the more exclusive. Blue is vibrant and translucent yet less transparent than clear sapphire, which results in a more elegant aesthetic, and you don’t have to worry about seeing arm hair through the watch, which sapphire crystal cases (and highly skeletonized watches) tend to have a problem with. Hublot outsourced the production of the watch case, as most watch companies do with any kind of sapphire crystal manufacturing. The case middle, bezel, and back are cut from synthetic blue sapphire crystal (that

The new limited edition Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin comes in a new titanium case measuring 39 mm x 8.1 mm, that’s water-resistant to 50 meters, powered by caliber 2121, same as the existing stainless steel Jumbo. The case and bracelet feature a satin-brushed titanium surface, which contrasts well with the fully polished solid 950 platinum bezel and bracelet links. Typically the top of the Royal Oak bezel has a vertical brushing but in this instance, it’s completely polished. This gives the watch a unique look, however, the bezel is more susceptible to scratches, which is mainly because platinum is softer than steel. Apart from the case and bracelet materials being unique, the other element that’s new is the dial. Referred to by the manufacture as a “smoked blue” effect, the dial is quite striking. It’s essentially the same as the

One of Patek Philippe’s 2018 Baselworld highlights was undoubtedly the new Nautilus 5740/1G, representing the first time a perpetual calendar has been offered in the collection. To give a little background, right now, the Nautilus collection is in such high demand that even the most basic 5711 models are commanding prices well over retail. And so, with the introduction of the first perpetual calendar version, it’s safe to say these will be highly coveted by Patek collectors, and are likely all already spoken for at the retail level. At 40 mm x 8.42 mm, the 18K white gold case has the same diameter of the existing men’s Nautilus timepieces, but considering it has a complicated movement inside, you would think it would be much thicker. Yet, at 8.42 mm it’s only 0.12 mm thicker than the time only model (Ref.

Omega reportedly produced more than 110,000 timepieces for the British Ministry of Defense from (1940-1945) during World War II, which airmen and sailors were said to have trusted for their water-resistance and reliability. The popularity of those military-spec timepieces led to the creation of the Seamaster, Omega’s first collection of watches, in 1948. The Seamster line featured the same robust characteristics as the aforementioned military watches, although despite a design that was more aesthetically suited to civilian life at the time, the new Seamasters were given greater water-resistance than their military counterparts thanks to the use of O-ring gasket technology, which would eventually go on to become a standard in the industry. On the 70th Anniversary of the Seamaster (2018), in addition to redesigning the Seamaster Professional Diver 300M collection, Omega has created two limited edition tribute models: the Seamaster