This month, we once again have the pleasure of checking out an eclectic mix of mechanical timepieces. To begin, there’s Cabestan’s wild Triple Axis Tourbillon watch, Bovet’s distinctive Amadeo Virtuoso VII Retrograde Perpetual Calendar watch, and a new version of De Bethune DB25QP Perpetual Calendar watch.

Moving on, we have noticed that after many years of large watches, it seems that smaller and more modestly-sized watches are in vogue now. The question, however, is are you man enough to wear a smaller watch? And with Star Wars opening at the end of this year, we imagine how some Star Wars watches would look if they were made by popular Swiss brands.

Apple’s new smart watch is a different and special kind of watch, and so it warrants a long-term review to accurately reflect its capabilities. So, this month, we begin our roundup with another look at the Apple Watch after having spent a month with it. Is it really useful? And can it replace our trusty mechanical watches? Read the findings of Ariel, our boss and the founder of this site, and then join the heated discussion just below that post!

1. Apple Watch Review Chapter 2: Reliability, Utility, And Whether It Will Replace My Traditional Watch

Apple calls its new smart watch it’s most personal device yet – and it turned out to be much more than that, as it has been referred to as a game-changer by industry people, journalists, and experts alike. While its effects on the smart watch category cannot be overstated, we discuss a much more pressing issue in the second installment of our long term Apple Watch review series: whether or not the first generation Apple Watch has the potential to replace mechanical timepieces. That is an extremely sensitive issue, and while there is no definitive answer to that, this detailed article discusses at length the stronger and weaker points of Apple’s entry to the segment compared to traditional timepieces.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

2. Cabestan Triple Axis Tourbillon Watch Hands-On

Cabestan is responsible for some of the wildest watches around. The Trapezium watch and Winch Tourbillon Vertical are two fine examples of Cabestan’s craziest creations. Joining them is the new Cabestan Triple Axis Tourbillon watch, which features, as you might have guessed, a tourbillon that spins on three axes and a chain and fusee transmission system that feeds energy to the tourbillon at a constant force.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

3. Top 10 Affordable Watches That Get A Nod From Snobs

Let’s not kid ourselves, watches are expensive, and unless you are some rich Wall Street banker type or an oil sheik, chances are you are going to have to work with some sort of a budget when it comes to collecting watches. For the most part, you do get what you pay for when it comes to watches, but fortunately, there are some gems to be found. Here, we take a look at some affordable watches that will get you a nod from even the snobbiest collectors. These watches have either interesting designs or simply represent very high value for the money.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

4. Watch What-If: Luxury Swiss Star Wars Watches

This year is an exciting one for fans of Star Wars. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens opens this December. Although we have had Star Wars watches before from Seiko, and Nixon has also announced that they will be making official Star Wars watches, what if we told you that Omega is making Star Wars watches too? And based on its new Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial, no less. Here’s our hypothetical take on what Star Wars watches would look like if they were made by some Swiss luxury watchmakers.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

5. Bovet Amadeo Virtuoso VII Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Watch Review

Even if Bovet’s designs are not to everyone’s taste, it’s hard to deny that they make some of the most interesting and visually arresting watches. The Bovet Amadeo Virtuoso VII Retrograde Perpetual Calendar watch is no exception. Like some of Bovet’s other more complicated pieces, this watch is a dual-sided watch, and because this is an Amadeo-style watch, it can also be worn in different ways and can even double as a pocket watch. Beyond these, the Bovet Amadeo Virtuoso VII Retrograde Perpetual Calendar watch is rendered in typical Bovet-style, which is to say it looks dramatic and is a good alternative for anyone looking for a perpetual calendar watch that is a little unusual.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

6. De Bethune DB25QP Perpetual Calendar Watch Hands-On

Entire books have been written about Cartier Watches How To Spot A Fake Replica as well as about the Cartier Tank watch itself, and also the simple story that Louis Cartier based the Tank layout on the shape of WWI tanks found in the Western Front is probably familiar to a lot of readers. Cartier made clocks, pocket watches, and women’s wristwatches earlier wristwatches for men began to catch on – and when guys did begin to wear wristwatches, Cartier played a major part in their broader adoption and the Cartier Tank was an increasingly important part of the transition from pocket into wrist.The initial wristwatch for men is occasionally believed to be the Cartier Santos out of 1904, made by Louis Cartier – at least this started to help enhance men’s wristwatches. It was certainly among the first watches made as a wristwatch, rather than a pocket watch adapted with straps for the wrist, or “strap watch.” Called a “silly ass fad” by some round the first part of the 1900s (that I find beautiful), men’s wristwatches still had the time to be approved by the mainstream. In 1916, The New York Times admitted that wristwatches were more than a passing craze, and WWI saw soldiers starting to strap watches for their wrists for sensible reasons.Louis Cartier (1875–1942) made quite a few watches which are still part of Cartier’s lineup now, including the Santos, Tank, and Tortue. At that time Louis perhaps thought that the future of wristwatches supposed non-round cases. This would also help differentiate them in the round pocket watches that had just been adapted for the wrist. The first Cartier Tank watch was made in 1917 and the story goes that those initial models were awarded to General John Pershing of the American Expeditionary Force and his officers. Back in 1919, a total of six Tank watches were produced, but an icon had been created, and new variations have followed regularly since – you can see more about early twenties along with other ancient Cartier men’s watches here.
The Cartier Watches Qatar Replica Tank Solo XL Automatic is a “large” watch, but it’s effective in being a more contemporary, sufficiently masculine iteration of the design. In 31mm by 40.85mm and 7.65mm thin, I find the Cartier Tank Solo XL for a masterpiece of style and proportions and a great fit for the 6.5″ (17cm) wrist. For a watch called the Tank with powerful military-associated roots, though, that the Cartier Tank is mostly seen as the opposite of a rough-wearing, battlefield watch. The Cartier Tank Solo XL is water-resistant to just 30m, comes on a leather strap, and it’s almost the wristwatch version of a tuxedo.Calling this model “XL” reminds us that it’s still thought to be a men’s eye. The basic look of this Cartier Tank has undeniably been very popular for women’s watches, which might actually turn some men off by inducing them to see it as female – Ariel discussed this general occurrence in a dedicated article here. Personally, that is not pertinent to my own preferences and sporting habits. Further, if you do not believe Cartier a “real” watch manufacturer because they also make jewelry – well, then there’s likely nothing I can say that can change your mind anyway.To me, there are 3 possible problems with the perception of this Cartier Tank. It might be considered 1) feminine(two) overly formal or conservative( or 3) generic. Yes, like the Rolex Submariner, say, the Cartier Tank could be criticized as being a casualty of its own success. It has influenced countless different layouts and been imitated endlessly… to the point that its closeness might almost signify a generic “watch” to individuals not knowledgeable about watches. The Tank’s recognizability may be good or a bad thing depending upon your view, or it may not matter for you if you just like the watch.

Unique, distinctive, technical, fun, avant-garde, and progressive are some of the words that I would use to describe De Bethune. Founded only in 2002, the young brand boasts of some of the most recognizable watches around, thanks to their unique cases, hands, and balance springs. To be exact, the De Bethune DB25QP Perpetual Calendar watch is not entirely new, but De Bethune has just released a new version with an 18k rose gold case and dark brown chocolate dial and it looks wonderful to me. If you think Patek Philippe’s new chocolate dial rose gold Nautilus is too pedestrian, this is for you.

Source: aBlogtoWatch