A couple of years ago camouflage patterns became a thing, and most of the high-end leather goods manufacturers decided to jump on the bandwagon, some sooner rather than later. While it took Smythson of Bond Street a little longer than most, the Oxblood Camouflage Burlington Cardholder and Passport Holder are must have if you like camo leather goods. Since we’ve talked about Smythson a few times here at WCL, we don’t need to tell you much about their history but instead, focus on the cardholder and passport holder we have here.
Introducing: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary 'Tech Gombessa'. A World's First Measuring Three-Hour Immersion Times.
Blancpain just opened a new chapter in the history of the first modern diver's watch by unveiling a new model designed to meet today's technical diving requirements. Featuring an innovation co-developed by Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain, and Laurent Ballesta, founder of the Gombessa project, the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th anniversary named ‘Tech Gombessa’ makes it possible for the first time to measure up to three-hour immersion times.
Introducing: Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Blue & Gold
Ulysse Nardin’s Blast collection takes on this challenge with conviction and determination. With its double X —for exploration— the new Blast Tourbillon Blue & Gold, with its sharp lines and resolute character, takes a decisive step towards watchmaking of the future. The Blast Tourbillon is driven by a flying tourbillon skeletonized movement with silicium escapement in a modern case.
Introducing: Wempe Marine Chronometers by World-renowned Yacht Designer Tim Heywood
The production of marine chronometers is part of Wempe’s watchmaking tradition. Since 1905, the company has equipped seagoing vessels with these special timepieces, whose great precision is unaffected by rough seas and ever-changing temperatures. Wempe’s “unified chronometer,” housed in a classic case, has been manufactured for the last 80 years. In the latest edition, Wempe now brings nautical tradition and state-of-the-art yacht design together thanks to renowned British ship designer Tim Heywood, who has created striking new marine chronometers available mid-February 2023.
Introducing: Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Dazzling Night & Day Green
Capturing the essence of femininity, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Dazzling Night & Day has been reimagined this year in green as a homage to the unspoiled nature that surrounds Jaeger-LeCoultre’s home in the Vallée de Joux and provides a perpetual source of inspiration. Just as the cosmic cycles inspired JLC’s watchmakers to develop a mechanism that displays the night and day on the dial, the fields and forests of the valley surrounding the manufacture inspire designers and artisans.
Introducing: Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Chronograph SBGC253. Inspired by the Grand Seiko Lion.
In 2019, Grand Seiko announced a limited edition sports watch design inspired by the lion, the enduring emblem of Grand Seiko since its inception in 1960. The lion reflected the ambition of the Grand Seiko team to make a watch that was as precise, durable, and beautiful as could be; in other words, their goal was to make the ‘king of watches’. With SBGC253, Grand Seiko reintroduces the lion design in the Sport Collection, now with a new dial and as a regular production model in the Sport Collection.
Introducing: MB&F LM2 Palladium. Celebrating 10 Years of the Timepiece with Dual Flying Balances.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MB&F Legacy Machine No. 2 , the LM2 returns cloaked in palladium in a limited edition of 18 pieces with an aquamarine —light teal green— sunray dial. Initially launched in 18K white gold with a dark grey dial, in 18K red gold with a silver dial and in an 18-piece limited edition in platinum with a blue dial, the LM2 was the first MB&F timepiece to have two suspended balance wheels above its dial.
Introducing: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chrono 'Panda'. Hands-on Live Pictures.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph ref. 5500V was first released at the 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie with a blue and silvered dial. In 2017, a silvered dial two-tone model of the Overseas Chronograph was presented and in 2018 a ‘Reverse Panda’ and Black Dial Overseas Chronographs were released. Now, we bring you the latest addition to the Overseas collection, the new Overseas Chronograph ‘Panda’ ref. 5500V.
Introducing: Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
For the first time since its redesign in 2016, Piaget will add a mechanical perpetual calendar — an emblematic complication in which Piaget has developed considerable expertise already deployed— into the lexicon of the Polo collection. The iconic Piaget Polo reaches unprecedented heights this year 2023 with the Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin powered by the 1255P caliber.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 43 ref. 26420CE. Let's Nickname it 'The John Player Special'.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and AP has decided to celebrate with a few new releases in the collection. After the great release of the all-black all ceramic Royal Oak Offshore 42 reference 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01. we published here yesterday, now comes a new version of the Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm reference 26420CE.OO.A127CR.01 also cloaked in an all-black ceramic case but with 18K yellow gold accents on its strap plots, crown guards, and dial.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore All Black Ceramic ref. 26238CE
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and AP has decided to celebrate with a few new releases in the collection. One of them and our favorite so far is the all-black all ceramic Royal Oak Offshore reference 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01. A watch that is very reminiscent of the ‘End of Days’ with its all-black cloak.
Breaking News: De Bethune Becomes Majority Stakeholder in REUGE the Manufacturer of Mechanical Music Boxes and Automatons
De Bethune takes great pride in announcing a majority investment in REUGE, the renowned producer of mechanical music boxes and automatons. De Bethune and Amr AlOtaishan, representative of the proprietor family and current CEO, confirm the signature of this alliance, under which De Bethune will acquire a majority position in the Reuge manufacture.
Introducing: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light & Shade and Laureato Absolute Light & Fire
Now, Girard-Perregaux is pleased to unveil the new Laureato Absolute Light & Shade and the Laureato Absolute Light & Fire, a model that draws on the Maison’s amassed watchmaking know-how and employs its vast expertise working with innovative materials. Measuring 44 mm in diameter, the case of this latest model is made from metalized sapphire crystal, endowing the watch with a fascinating brilliance.
Introducing: Grand Seiko SBGW295 Urushi Lacquer Dial Limited Edition. Celebrating 110 Years of Seiko.
The history of Seiko began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza to repair and sell timepieces. In 1913, his company produced Japan’s first wristwatch, the Laurel, and many achievements that have advanced the art of watchmaking followed, from the first Grand Seiko watch in 1960, to observatory-trial performances that took the industry by storm a few years later, to the groundbreaking technology that is Spring Drive in 1999.
Introducing: Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA021. Inspired by Lake Suwa.
Grand Seiko is excited to release the newest addition to its Evolution 9 collection, the Spring Drive SLGA021. To the southeast of the Shinshu Watch Studio, where Spring Drive watches are made, one will find the gently lapping waters of Lake Suwa, a constant inspiration for Grand Seiko. Take, for example, the dial of the Spring Drive SLGA021, which evokes the surface of this very body of water. Inspired by this serene body of water, featuring a dark blue dial that recalls gently lapping waves along the water's surface just before dawn.
Insider: Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph. The Best Chronograph You Can Buy Under $2K USD.
Two years ago, Tissot released the PRX as a reissue of their iconic 1978 PRX 40 205 with a quartz movement and later they added an automatic time and date model. Last year, Tissot released the PRX Automatic Chronograph and the moment we saw it, we knew we’d have to get one. Our love for the PRX is unlimited. The level of finishing and Swiss craftsmanship rarely seen in this price range, only keeps getting better within the PRX collection.
News: Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents The Collectibles. A Meticulously Curated Collection of Rare Vintage Timepieces.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is delighted to announce the launch of The Collectibles, a new program for collectors and enthusiasts who wish to acquire a piece of history from La Grande Maison. The Collectibles offers a meticulously curated capsule collection of emblematic pieces complemented by a new Master Reference Book. A simply brilliant offering.
Experience: Carlen Parfums Aztec Noir. Like the Japanese Culture Rich in Sensorial Stimulation.
We recently discovered Brooklyn-based Carlen Parfums and fell in love with their Aztec Noir fragrance. The name of this perfumier comes from the name Carlen, a German woman’s name which is a variant of Carlene or Carolina and which translates to ‘free man.’ With reverence to this androgynous muse, Carlen Parfums seeks to dismantle bonds of gender, place, and time and develop unique fragrances that can be worn by anyone regardless of gender orientation.
From the Editor: The Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto is the Most Unexpected Watch of 2023. An Amazing Timepiece for the Price.
Without sounding like a snob, I never thought I would be featuring a Christopher Ward watch here at WCL, but the time has come. For me to talk about certain watches, these watches need to earn the right to be here, not because I think of WCL as the non plus ultra —nothing further beyond— but more than anything, because I truly believe in honest and unbiased watch content.
From the Editor: My Search for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 25854TI is Finally Over. Detailed Explanation of this Reference.
There are a number of words and phrases that would come to mind whenever I thought about finding one of my all-time grails, the titanium Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 25854TI.OO.1150TI.01. A range of adjectives describing this watch that go all the way from understated luxury to ultra cool sportiness, a Neo-vintage watch grail, pure watch badassery for those that really know, the ultimate FU watch, but most definitely, the words that would always come to mind, would be: a grand complication by Audemars Piguet for those that want the sportiest look possible in a very understated way.
