Posts Published byraftmenpiece

Introducing – The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport on Steel Bracelet

Introducing – The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport on Steel Bracelet

Union Glashütte continues to position itself in the segment of robust, fairly-priced mechanical chronographs with a distinctly modern look. The Belisar Chronograph Sport, introduced in 2024 as a more contemporary alternative within the Belisar collection, marked a departure from vintage cues. It now evolves with the addition of a stainless steel bracelet, enhancing its presence and versatility. […]

Union Glashütte continues to position itself in the segment of robust, fairly-priced mechanical chronographs with a distinctly modern look. The Belisar Chronograph Sport, introduced in 2024 as a more contemporary alternative within the Belisar collection, marked a departure from vintage cues. It now evolves with the addition of a stainless steel bracelet, enhancing its presence and versatility.

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First Look – Chapter Two in the Revival of L. Leroy with the New Elyor Flying Tourbillon

First Look – Chapter Two in the Revival of L. Leroy with the New Elyor Flying Tourbillon

Parisian watchmaking maison L. Leroy was founded by Basile-Charles Le Roy in 1785 and became the official watchmaker to King Louis XVI and later to Napoleon I and Queen Victoria. Expanding operations to Switzerland, L. Leroy produced marine chronometers for the French Navy and amassed 384 gold medals in chronometry competitions. Iconic masterpieces like the […]

Parisian watchmaking maison L. Leroy was founded by Basile-Charles Le Roy in 1785 and became the official watchmaker to King Louis XVI and later to Napoleon I and Queen Victoria. Expanding operations to Switzerland, L. Leroy produced marine chronometers for the French Navy and amassed 384 gold medals in chronometry competitions. Iconic masterpieces like the

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Industry News – Swiss Watch Exports up 1,4% over Q1 2026, Outlook still Uncertain

Industry News – Swiss Watch Exports up 1,4% over Q1 2026, Outlook still Uncertain

The Swiss Watch Federation has just released its figures as of the end of March 2026. The month of March closed with a 1% decline in watch exports. More importantly, it provides a view of the trend for the first quarter of the year. Total exports reached CHF 6.2 billion, representing a modest increase of […]

The Swiss Watch Federation has just released its figures as of the end of March 2026. The month of March closed with a 1% decline in watch exports. More importantly, it provides a view of the trend for the first quarter of the year. Total exports reached CHF 6.2 billion, representing a modest increase of

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Hands-on – The Otsuka Lotec No.8 Refines Jiro Katayama’s Industrial Language

Hands-on – The Otsuka Lotec No.8 Refines Jiro Katayama’s Industrial Language

We wouldn’t go as far as to say that there’s something fundamentally different about the way Jiro Katayama approaches watchmaking. After all, industrial design, be it cars, instruments, or machinery, has inspired and defined quite a few independents. Still, most start from horology and branch outward, yet the mind behind Otsuka Lotec comes directly from […]

We wouldn’t go as far as to say that there’s something fundamentally different about the way Jiro Katayama approaches watchmaking. After all, industrial design, be it cars, instruments, or machinery, has inspired and defined quite a few independents. Still, most start from horology and branch outward, yet the mind behind Otsuka Lotec comes directly from

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Editorial – Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026; The Trends That Defined the Fair

Editorial – Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026; The Trends That Defined the Fair

Now that the dust has settled over Watches and Wonders 2026, it is time to look beyond the key novelties unveiled during the fair. More importantly, it is time to focus on the major trends that emerged, both during the show itself and through the launches surrounding it. Beyond individual releases, this year’s edition confirmed […]

Now that the dust has settled over Watches and Wonders 2026, it is time to look beyond the key novelties unveiled during the fair. More importantly, it is time to focus on the major trends that emerged, both during the show itself and through the launches surrounding it. Beyond individual releases, this year’s edition confirmed

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Introducing – The New De Bethune DB28XS Sea Tourbillon

Introducing – The New De Bethune DB28XS Sea Tourbillon

With its unmistakable avant-garde design, the DB28 is De Bethune’s most recognisable model. Making its debut in 2010, the DB28 is characterised by its futuristic silhouette with floating lugs, a delta-shaped bridge at the centre of the dial reminiscent of the Starfleet Commando logo in Star Trek, and a crown at noon. Ever-evolving, the DB28XS […]

With its unmistakable avant-garde design, the DB28 is De Bethune’s most recognisable model. Making its debut in 2010, the DB28 is characterised by its futuristic silhouette with floating lugs, a delta-shaped bridge at the centre of the dial reminiscent of the Starfleet Commando logo in Star Trek, and a crown at noon. Ever-evolving, the DB28XS

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Introducing – New Editions of the MeisterSinger Pangaea with Textured Dials

Introducing – New Editions of the MeisterSinger Pangaea with Textured Dials

While not the only brand to offer watches with a single-handed time display, MeisterSinger (since 2001) is the only one to have built its entire identity around this concept. Rooted in early watchmaking traditions, long before minutes and seconds dominated the dial, the brand’s approach prioritises perception over precision. A slower, more deliberate reading of […]

While not the only brand to offer watches with a single-handed time display, MeisterSinger (since 2001) is the only one to have built its entire identity around this concept. Rooted in early watchmaking traditions, long before minutes and seconds dominated the dial, the brand’s approach prioritises perception over precision. A slower, more deliberate reading of

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First Look – The New TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 500 Date; Going Deeper, Staying Cool

First Look – The New TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 500 Date; Going Deeper, Staying Cool

With all the attention focused on the new and important TAG Heuer Monaco references (Steve McQueen and Evergraph), the introduction of the Aquaracer Professional 500 Date at Watches and Wonders 2026 was a quieter one. Still, with this new release, the brand fills a gap in its dive watch range. Positioned between the refined, everyday-capable […]

With all the attention focused on the new and important TAG Heuer Monaco references (Steve McQueen and Evergraph), the introduction of the Aquaracer Professional 500 Date at Watches and Wonders 2026 was a quieter one. Still, with this new release, the brand fills a gap in its dive watch range. Positioned between the refined, everyday-capable

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In-Depth – Impressions About the Rolex Daytona Rolesium 126502, a.k.a The Ultimate Cosmograph

In-Depth – Impressions About the Rolex Daytona Rolesium 126502, a.k.a The Ultimate Cosmograph

Without a doubt, one of the most discussed releases of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026 and the biggest surprise of Rolex for its 2026 collection… There’s now a new steel Rolex Daytona, but actually not quite. See, for decades, the steel Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona has been available in basically two versions only – white […]

Without a doubt, one of the most discussed releases of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026 and the biggest surprise of Rolex for its 2026 collection… There’s now a new steel Rolex Daytona, but actually not quite. See, for decades, the steel Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona has been available in basically two versions only – white

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First Look – The New Silver-Toned Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar 5236P

First Look – The New Silver-Toned Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar 5236P

Widely regarded as a technical and aesthetic masterpiece, Patek Philippe’s In-Line Perpetual Calendar returned in grand form at Watches & Wonders this year, alongside dozens of other new watches, in platinum with a silver dial. Displaying the day, date and month on a single line in a panoramic aperture at noon, few perpetual calendars can […]

Widely regarded as a technical and aesthetic masterpiece, Patek Philippe’s In-Line Perpetual Calendar returned in grand form at Watches & Wonders this year, alongside dozens of other new watches, in platinum with a silver dial. Displaying the day, date and month on a single line in a panoramic aperture at noon, few perpetual calendars can

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