Watch Features

Welcome to WatchTime’s watch features section. Here you will find watch feature stories, watch reports, interesting watch technology coverage, interviews with watch brands, background articles about watches, watch brands and technical stories.

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Cartier Tortue

The Cartier Tortue watch, designed personally by Louis Cartier, was characterized by its tortoise-inspired shape, which stood in stark contrast to the predominantly round watches of the time. We compare modern and vintage examples of this iconic Cartier watch.

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Jun 12, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Lots of Smarts: New Smartwatches Abound in 2016

There were smartwatches aplenty at Baselworld 2016. But were there enough? Here's a look at new smartwatches from Tissot, Casio, Nixon, and more.

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Jun 11, 2016 by Norma Buchanan

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox is a modern re-interpretation of the automatic Memovox alarm watch, released in 1956, which at the time was the very first automatic-powered alarm watch available. Here we compare the modern Ref. 1418430 with the original vintage watch.

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May 29, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5196

The Patek Philippe Calatrava series maintains an esteemed standing in the world of horology. Though we now know it through many different references, we will be focusing our "Vintage Eye" upon the Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5196, a contemporary re-interpretation of the original design.

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May 22, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

PHOTO ESSAY

Kentucky Derby Weekend With the Longines Triple Crown Limited Edition: Scenes from Churchill Downs

Longines, the Swiss watch brand that is the official timekeeper of the Triple Crown, as well as a partner of numerous equestrian sporting events, commemorates American Pharoah's Triple Crown victory with a special timepiece: the Longines Conquest Classic Triple Crown Limited Edition.

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May 21, 2016 by Mark Bernardo

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Rolex GMT-Master II

Over the past 100 years or so, Rolex has produced more than a few “dynasty” series of watches — from the Datejust to the Day-Date, to the Explorer, Daytona, and Speedking, to the piece we will be focusing on today: the GMT-Master II. These watch collections originally built much of their reputations on functionality and...

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May 15, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special

There are some watches available today that are so distinctive in appearance, it is somewhat hard to believe that they played such a critical role in the development of all pilot watches as a category, and thus an important role in the broader world of horology. The modern Zenith Pilot watch, with its historical heritage,...

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May 8, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Watch Review

Borrowed Time: Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec II

Last year, Carl F. Bucherer introduced an upgraded version of its triple-time-zone watch, the Patravi TravelTec. With the release of the TravelTec II, CFB pulled off the rare feat of making the original watch substantially larger in dimensions yet more streamlined in its look. Here's our impressions after a week with the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravcelTec II.

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May 4, 2016 by Mark Bernardo

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Oris Diver Sixty-Five

Like many of my fellow watch aficionados, I am constantly scouring the deepest depths of the interwebs hunting for the next rare find. I do this for a variety of reasons, from researching an article to (occasionally) looking to make a purchase— but, most of all, I do it to test my knowledge on watches;...

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May 1, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Fossil Watches Made in Switzerland? Inside Fossil’s Swiss Mission

Find out why the fashion-watch company Fossil, a giant of the Hong Kong watch industry, is making more watches in Switzerland, in this feature article from WatchTime.

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Apr 26, 2016 by Norma Buchanan

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: TAG Heuer Monza

Today on “Vintage Eye,” we’re taking a look at one of the most noteworthy vintage-inspired new releases from BaselWorld 2016. Our subject is a brilliantly honest, modern re-issue of a bold, somewhat iconic, and ultra-collectible watch— the TAG Heuer Monza.

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Apr 24, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Mastering the Rolex Sky Dweller

Read Watchtime's feature on how the Rolex Sky-Dweller, equipped with a second time zone, an annual calendar and containing the Rolex in-house caliber 9001, works.

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Apr 22, 2016 by Norma Buchanan

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Hamilton Pan Europ Auto Chrono

Historic "tool watch" brand Hamilton offers the vintage-inspired Hamilton Pan Europ Auto Chrono, a modern version of the automatic Caliber 11 chronograph released in 1971. We take a look at the modern version and compare it to its vintage forebear.

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Apr 17, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Longines Heritage Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch

Of all the brands we have taken a look at through our “Vintage Eye,” there have been very few with complete collections, let alone entire series, dedicated to reviving the historical watches of the brands’ pasts. Of course, there is the Tudor Heritage Collection and the various homage pieces within the IWC Pilot’s Watch Collection,...

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Apr 10, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a dynamic series of watches steeped equally in historical legend and modern fame. From the 1955 release of the first Oyster Chronograph, to the "Paul Newman" models, to the new version introduced at Baselworld 2016, the Rolex Daytona holds a rare place in horology.

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Apr 3, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Borrowed Time: Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed E-Strap

The Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed e-Strap chronograph watch is the brand's own clever take on the smartwatch: it leaves the actual mechanical watch alone while adding “connectivity” to the strap for a “best-of-both-worlds” compromise between high-mech and high-tech.

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Mar 29, 2016 by Mark Bernardo

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Tudor Heritage Black Bay 36

Tudor has released three new variations to its very popular Heritage Black Bay series at Baselworld 2016, including the Black Bay “36” a personal favorite and a watch with some interesting heritage.

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Mar 27, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Omega De Ville Prestige

The Omega De Ville Prestige collection is a somewhat hidden gem within the larger sphere of Seamasters, Speedmasters, and Constellations. Born around 1960 as part of the larger Omega Seamaster series of watches, the De Ville was a continuation of the classic dress watch heritage the Seamaster had embodied since 1948.

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Mar 13, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

GIFT GUIDE

Baselworld Travel Essentials

The watch world’s biggest international event, Baselworld, begins next week in Basel, Switzerland. If you are one of the thousands of eager watch aficonados, media representatives, and watch-and-jewelry professionals attending the show this year, we’ve compiled some of our favorite stylish and useful items that will make both the trip itself, and your travel experience,...

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Mar 7, 2016 by Mark Bernardo

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Breguet Type XX

Breguet produces three styles of the Breguet Type XX, inspired by vintage military aviation watches: the namesake Type XX, Type XXI, and Type XXII. We cover the modern re-interpretation of the Breguet Type XX Aeronavale Automatic Chronograph (Ref. 3800ST/92/9W6) in this week's Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy feature.

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Feb 28, 2016 by Caleb Anderson

Watch Features

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Cartier Tortue

Sponsored: Gerald Charles Introduces Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon

2016: THE WATCH YEAR IN REVIEW

Lots of Smarts: New Smartwatches Abound in 2016

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5196

PHOTO ESSAY

Kentucky Derby Weekend With the Longines Triple Crown Limited Edition: Scenes from Churchill Downs

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Rolex GMT-Master II

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special

Watch Review

Borrowed Time: Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec II

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Oris Diver Sixty-Five

Fossil Watches Made in Switzerland? Inside Fossil’s Swiss Mission

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: TAG Heuer Monza

Mastering the Rolex Sky Dweller

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Hamilton Pan Europ Auto Chrono

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Longines Heritage Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Borrowed Time: Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed E-Strap

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Tudor Heritage Black Bay 36

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Omega De Ville Prestige

GIFT GUIDE

Baselworld Travel Essentials

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Breguet Type XX