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On The Wrist

On the Wrist: Casio Edifice ECB950MP-1A

With one look at the new Casio Edifice ECB950MP-1A (or its stablemate ECB900MP-1A) the wearer can see why this Edifice series is so visually linked to auto racing.

The Casio Edifice ECB950MP-1A

Developed with assistance from race drivers, the series features a dial that mimics a race car steering wheel and gauge set. The dial features a layout with four accent colors, inspired by the color-coded push-button controls on race car steering wheels.

The speed indicator is convenient for watching races.

Here we have a chronograph dial with a bright yellow, high-visibility seconds hand. Around the dial Edifice has placed a black IP bezel engraved with tachymeter markings—not unlike a race car dashboard. 

On the wrist the watch’s matte-finished dark bezel nicely contrasts with the polished 51.5mm by 48mm polished steel case.  Edifice supplies an extremely comfortable soft urethane strap. The strap is more secure than usual thanks to a raised tip, which retains the strap end within the keeper.

This sharp-looking high-performance watch will effectively enhance your time-tracking options by using smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth. Simply pair the watch to your smart phone with a push of a button through Casio’s Mobile Link Technology. 

Solar Power

The Casio Edifice ECB950MP-1A also features Casio’s Tough Solar Power, which essentially means there’s a tiny solar panel system built in to the watch that converts light to electricity and eliminates the need for battery changes. It can even be charged in low or fluorescent light. After full charge, the watch can be operated without solar charging for about six months with normal use of functions and about nineteen months with the power-saving function enabled.

The timepiece is also water resistant up to 100 meters and protected with a scratch resistant mineral crystal.

The watch (right) pictured here with the other new Edifice Multicolor model, ECB900MP.

Additional features include a 1/1000-second stopwatch, a countdown timer, 5 multi-function alarms, a full-auto double LED light (Super illuminator) and more.

With so many useful functions, a solid case and strap and good-looking on the wrist, the Casio Edifice ECB950MP-1A is very strong value, especially given its $250 price tag. . 

 

Specifications: Casio Edifice ECB950MP-1A

Automatic time adjustment (four times a day)

Easy watch setting

Stopwatch data transfer
Displays lap times down to the millisecond. See lap time differences and fastest time at a glance.

World time (about 300 cities)

Time & place
Pressing a button on the watch records the date, time and position on a map within the app. Useful as an activity log.

Phone finder (ECB-950MP only).

100 Meter water resistance

Tough Solar (solar powered)

Smartphone Link

Hand shift feature

Tachymeter

1/1000-second stopwatch

Countdown timer 

5 multi-function alarms

Full-auto double LED light (Super illuminator)

Case size (L× W× H): 51.5 × 48 × 13.9 mm

Weight: 103 g

Compatible band size: 145 to 215 mm

Case / bezel material: Stainless steel

Black IP Bezel

Resin Band

Mineral Glass

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Featured Events

HSNY Exhibits “Pocket Genius” 

The new exhibit “Pocket Genius: The Watch Collection of Alex Ku” at the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) headquarters in New York explores the evolution of timepieces through an extensive collection of pocket watches. 

On view from June through December 2023, the exhibit features more than fifty time-only pocket watches, inventive escapements, gem-encrusted cases and highly complicated pieces. 

The exhibit, with watches on loan from California-based watch aficionado Alex Ku, highlights timepieces dating from the 1690s to the 1990s, examining the role that watches have played in society, from their use in navigation and timekeeping to their use as status symbols and works of art.

From the exhibit, a George Graham work, London, c. 1740, No. 6091, key-wind movement with brass-wheel cylinder escapement and fusee, engraved pierced dial with rotating hour disk and single stationary hand, 45mm.

Highlights include a dumb quarter-repeating jump-hour pocket watch by Abraham-Louis Breguet, a co-axial escapement by Charles Fasoldt, complicated timepieces like Louis Chanson’s skeletonized perpetual calendar with a lunar indicator, and enameled masterpieces by Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.

A 55mm pocket watch made by Jean -Antoine Lepine, c. 1780, 18K gold case, quarter-dumb-repeating Lépine-caliber movement with wolf tooth wheel train and a lateral lever escapement.

The exhibit is currently on display at HSNY’s Jost Bürgi Research Library, and is divided into four sections: “Historical Watchmakers,” “Escapements,” “Complications” and “Aesthetics.” In addition, the HSNY has added a ‘bonus’ display: a George Daniels co-axial escapement model, on loan from British independent watchmaker and Daniels protegee Roger W. Smith OBE.

“To carry a pocket watch crafted by a historical master watchmaker is to feel that you hold a piece of horological history in your hand,” says Ku. “For many pieces in my collection, the mission to discover their stories really began only after acquiring them. I’m proud to share pieces from my collection for all to view and learn from, as I have.” 

HSNY is offering a a fully illustrated catalog for the collection that includes macro photography by Atom Moore and Collector Notes from Ku. The catalog is available for purchase in-person and online. Proceeds from the sales go towards meeting HSNY’s mission of advancing the art and science of horology. 

Pocket Genius is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free. HSNY is located at 20 West 44th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10036.

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Featured Events

Chopard and Mille Miglia Celebrate 36 years

Chopard returned to Brescia for the 36th time in succession as the World Sponsor and Official Timekeeper of the famous 1,000-mile Mille Miglia.

The pair teamed-up again this year (as on more than a dozen previous occasions), once more tackling the course in the instantly recognizable ‘metallic raspberry’ Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing in which they made their 1000 Miglia debut.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele & Jacky Ickx at the starting line in Brescia.

This year’s event was won by reigning champions, Andrea Vesco and Fabio Salvinelli.

In addition to the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing crewed by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Jacky Ickx, Chopard Ambassadors Zhu Yilong, the acclaimed Chinese actor, and Romain Dumas, the celebrated endurance racing driver, also competed under the ‘Team Chopard’ banner in a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster.

The 2023 Mille Miglia watches 

Chopard also continued its tradition of introducing new Mille Miglia timepieces, with four Mille Miglia Classic Chronographs, plus an additional, very special ‘Italian Limited Edition’ of the Mille Miglia GTS Chronograph – some of the proceeds from which are being donated to victims of the recent Emilia-Romagna flood disaster.

Comprising four new models crafted in Chopard’s own Lucent Steel, which is fifty percent more resilient than regular steel and incorporates material recycled from the medical, aerospace, car and watch industries.

The 40 mm chronographs are fitted either with Chopard’s signature rubber strap based on the pattern of a 1960s Dunlop race tire or a brown calfskin leather strap evoking traditional driving gloves.

What makes this year’s Mille Miglia Classic Chronographs extra-special, however, are their dials: each of the four variations is based on the paint hues and interior finishes typically found on the type of pre-1957 cars eligible for the 1000 Miglia.

This means a choice of Rosso Amarena (cherry red), Grigio-Blu (grey blue), Verde Chiaro (light green) and Nero Corsa (racing black). In keeping with a 36-year tradition, each watch carries a miniature ‘1000 Miglia’ route marker on its dial and case back. Prices start at $8,830.

In addition to the Mille Miglia Classic Chronographs, Chopard has also produced a very special version of its larger Mille Miglia GTS Chrono.

The Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Chrono Limited Edition Italy 2023 .

Also made from Lucent Steel in just 100 examples, part of the proceeds from each sale are being donated to victims of the devastating floods that swept through the Emilia-Romagna region in early May. 

This 44 mm edition carries the green and red colors of Italy, with its olive green bezel featuring a tachymeter scale for speed and distance calculations. Further marking-out the ‘form and function’ nature of Chopard’s Mille Miglia watches, the Mille Miglia GTS Chrono Limited Edition Italy is also fitted with substantial ‘mushroom’ pushers and a large diameter crown to provide a firm grip and ease of use while on the road. 

Source: Chopard

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The Watches

Blue Duo: Bell & Ross and Oris 

Two recently debuted blue-dialed watches, the Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue and the Oris Aquis Small Second Date 45.5mm, demonstrate how versatile —and attractive — the azure tint can be when perched on a wrist. And both debuts sport serious specs and can be worn anytime and in any workday or playtime environment. 

Oris

If your typical day takes you in or near the water, the Oris Aquis Small Second Date 45.5mm ($2,900) is your best bet here given its much-greater-than-average 500-meter water resistance rating.

The new Oris Aquis Small Second Date 45.5 mm.

Oris notes that the watch’s water resistance rating is actually greater than the standard model within its Aquis dive series, which typically includes watches rated to 300 meters of water resistance.

The watch, with its ocean-inspired deep-blue dial, represents a new size the Oris Aquis time-and-date-only series. It retains all the dive-ready specifications you’d expect from Oris, including a small seconds indicator (at the 9 o’clock position) with a luminous hand, a screw-down crown with protection, a uni-directional rotating bezel with a ceramic insert, and either a metal bracelet or rubber strap equipped with the Oris-patented extendable security folding clasp.

 

Oris has launched an impressive selection of colorful watches in recent years, especially within its Big Crown series. Even the watchmaker’s ProPilot collection now includes hues unexpected within such a technical series.

The new Oris Aquis Small Second Date 45.5mm revels in its ocean-colored dial, bezel insert and rubber strap. (See below for detailed specifications).

 

Bell & Ross

Inspired by summer skies, Bell & Ross finishes its latest BR 05 GMT with a sky blue sun-ray pattern dial. Earlier BR 05 GMT models have only been available with a  black dial or a white dial.

The new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue.

Framed by the Bell & Ross’s own circled-in-a-square case shape, the dial allows the wearer to determine time in a second time zone thanks to the blue-tinted GMT hand. With its easy-to-read large white arrow-shaped tip, the hand allows means wearer can quickly determine the hour in any of 24 timezones emblazoned along the graduated inner bezel.

Bell & Ross enhances this flange with a sky blue and silver color treatment. The colors allow the wearer to further differentiate whether the second time zone hour is in the daytime (silver) or nighttime (blue). Bell & Ross coats the hands and the rhodium-plated baton-shaped indexes with a healthy amount of SuperLuminova.

Inside Bell & Ross fits its bedrock BR-CAL.325 movement, a Sellita-based automatic caliber. And, for all-weather wear, Bell & Ross supplies a screw-in crown to guarantee water resistance to 100 meters. (See below for detailed specifications.)

Bell & Ross offers two types of attachment for the BR 05 GMT Sky Blue. The first is a stainless-steel bracelet and second is a blue rubber strap tinted to match the dial color.

Price: $5,000 (rubber strap) and $5,500 (steel bracelet). 

 

Specifications: Oris Aquis Small Second Date 45.5 mm

(Ref. 0174377334155–0742469EB)

Case: 45.5 multi-piece stainless steel with ceramic bezel insert, sapphire domed crystal, anti- reflective coating inside, screwed steel back with special engravings, stainless steel screw-in security crown, water resistance to 500 meters.
Movement: Oris 743, Sellita-based automatic with center hands for hours, minutes and seconds, date, Oris fine timing device and stop-second. Power reserve is 41 hours.

Dial: Ocean Blue with SuperLumiNova applied indices.

Bracelet/strap: Multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with folding clasp with extension. Also available on a blue rubber strap with stainless steel security folding clasp with extension.

Price: $2,900.

 

Specifications: Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue

Movement: Calibre BR-CAL.325 Sellita-based automatic mechanical.

Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, date and second 24-hour time zone. Quick setting of the GMT hand, independently of the hour hand. 

Case: 41 mm wide. Satin-polished steel. Satin-finished rhodium-plated and blue two-color flange, with 24-hour scale. Screw-down crown. Crown guard. Sapphire case-back with 360° oscillating weight. Crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Water-resistance to 100 meters.

Dial: Blue sun-ray finish with numerals and indices coated in white SuperLumiNova,, metal skeletonized SuperLumiNova-filled hour and minute hands. 

Strap: Blue rubber or satin-polished steel with satin-polished steel folding buckle.

Price: $5,000 (rubber strap) and $5,500 (steel bracelet). 

 

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The Watches

Alpina Celebrates 140th with Vintage Carrée

To celebrate its 140th birthday, Alpina releases a limited edition rectangular watch with a restored manual-wind caliber made in 1938.

The new Alpina Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years.

The new Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years features Caliber 490, which was designed, assembled and finished in 1938 by one of the firms in the Union Horlogère, Alpina’s original entity. Such fully in-house construction was not typical of the era, when generic ébauches (movement-blanks) were more commonly used throughout the Swiss market.

Alpina has created two rectangular silver-cased models as a tribute to its anniversary. One new series features a black dial and is available in the United States and globally; the other offers a silvered dial and is available outside the United States. 

Alpina explains that the slow frequency (18,000 vph) rectangular-shaped movement was built to provide extra protection against water and dust and was elegantly finished with a sun-brushed ratchet and fully beveled components.

The Alpina 490 Caliber.

Only a few of the movements still exist, and Alpina has done well to shape the new watch’s case to fit the shaped movement.

Alpina’s records indicate that the original case for a watch using the movement was made from steel or gold depending on the model. Alpina made the new 29.5mm x 35.7mm by 9.71mm case from mirror-polished silver and has placed anti-glare sapphire crystal on the front and back, which allows a clear view of the Caliber 490.

The Alpina 490 Caliber, pictured showing front and back.

Both of the limited editions (of fourteen pieces each) display Alpina’s period logo, two thin central hands and a typical 1930s small seconds. A period-true rail track minute circle runs around the dial.

On the U.S. version, Alpina places solid Arabic numerals on the black dial accompanied by beige hands and a circular small second hand display. The other version (not pictured here) sports a silvered dial, black hands and 1920s-style Arabic numerals. Alpina finishes the watch with a light brown ostrich leather strap, with vintage white stitching and pin buckle. 

Price: $5,395.

Specifications: Alpina Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years
(AL-490BA3C10, a limited edition of 14 pieces) 

Movement: Alpina vintage AL-490 caliber, hand-winding with 42-hour power reserve, 18,000 vph.  

Case: Polished silver 2-part, 29.50mm x 35.70mm by 9.71mm, anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 30 meters, engraved and see-through screwed case back.

Dial: Black with matte finishing, beige printed Arabic numerals and beige graduation, beige hour and minute hands, small second counter at 6 o’clock with beige hand. 

Strap: Light brown Ostrich leather with off-white stitching, pin buckle.

Price: $5,395, available starting in July.  

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