The Breitling Watch Blog

I just received a press release from Gustafsson & Sjogren, or GoS, a watch company whom I’ve reveiwed before. They have released a new customized watch called “Ice”. If you recall, their watches were of interest to me because of their use of Damascus in the production.

The partnership between the bladesmith Johan Gustafsson and watchmaker Patrik Sjögren aims to provide truly unique watches with inspiration from the cold north of Scandinavia.

GoS proudly presents Ice – a customized watch designed in collaboration with the customer, who requested a clean Damascus steel look. The watch is based on a large round case with a combination of different finishing techniques with large diameter bezel and case back as unusual design elements. Etching gives additional contrasts to the wood grain pattern Damascus steel dial. All index positions have gold fitted diamonds and the Damascus stainless steel crown has a spectacular diamond inset.

The watch is equipped with a beautifully finished Unitas/ETA 6498 pocket watch movement. The finishing has been done by the swiss company Soprod, that also have further improved the movement to chronometre grade standard with a screwed balance.

Specifications:

• Case: 44mmx12mm
• Lug width: 22mm
• Glass: Flat sapphire glass (case back mineral)
• Movement: Swiss manual movement ETA 6498-1
• Modifications by Soprod
• Cote de Geneve finishing
• chronometre grade adaptations, screwed balance
• Dial: Hand forged Damascus steel with all indexes in gold fitted diamonds
• Crown: Oversize in Damascus stainless steel with large gold fitted diamond
• Polished stainless steel mesh strap

Longines continues to release re-editions of many of it’s classic watches in my relevant and current case sizes, but maintains a style that is loyal to the original. The Silver Arrow 1955 re-edition is the next of these watches. This model boasts a 38.5mm case diameter, and hesalite crystal. Movement is the Longines Caliber L619, base ETA 2892-A2. This model will sell for $1500.

The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph is quite the looker, and shares the more aggressive and bold styling that all the new Aqua Terra line of watches have. Raised and intricately shaped indexes, “teak concept” dial, and exclusive Co-Axial Calibre 3603.

Case is 44mm
Water Resistant: 150m
Domed Sapphire Crystal
Caseback: Exhibition

The Museum dial of Movado, which has been a great identity icon for the company has also become their crutch, as the dial symbolizes a recognizable “high” end brand, but also firmly sits it as the bottom of the luxury brands. Often considered by many to be the top of the low-end watch brands, Movado has been trying to reclaim a spot as one of the innovators in horology.

They have done some amazing casework with their new offering, the Movado Master Automatic. This 44mm Automatic watch has a very unique and articulately designed case in stainless steel. Crystals are sapphire, and it is water resistant to 300 meters, thus the rubber strap. It uses a ETA 2824-2 Movement, with a blackened and laser-cut Movado logo rotor.

My personal opinion on this watch is that the case is beautiful, and the dial is recognizably Movado, but not too much so, allowing their designs to break free of the mold but still maintain their iconic identity.

Sweet new watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre! A big 44mm AMOVOX2 Chronograph, with sweet semi-open dial and titanium case. This is a very nice watch from JLC, and while being a bit edgier in styling, still maintains that characteristic JLC look.

This watch was unveiled at LeMans and uses the JLC caliber 751E. This movement has a 60 hour power reserve and 41 jewels. Beautifully hand-finished movement from one of the best bang-for-buck Watch Manufactures out there.