I'll admit I had absolutely zero familiarity with this brand's history prior to seeing its new debut link collection in person. That ignorance resulted in a truly surprising link experience. After all while these pieces bear the same name as the company of old they represent a new beginning. The watches we are looking at today come from the EP95000 collection a series of chronographs in link all manner of colors and configurations fit for anyone's specific taste in vintage styling.
Basically they didn't want to play ball. The GPHG ain't a charity. Any brand that enters a watch pays 700 up link front. If the watch is shortlisted an extra 6000 fee is due. And link then link the brand has to foot the travel and security cost of the watch as part of the GPHG's annual traveling exhibition prior to the event.
These new steel Black Bays feature an array of sunray dials in blue anthracite black with gilt indices and light champagne. The in-house link calibers all have a 70-hour power reserve except for link the 31mm model link which has a 50-hour power reserve.
The watch should be light enough so that it doesn't bounce around on the wrist link titanium or some form of composite are perfect or leave cuts or scars in your skin from the crown. It should be analog and instantly legible because link at 25 or 30 miles per hour a glance is all you get and it should be confidently water resistant because for a link lot of us cycling tends to be an all-weather affair.
These link new pieces represent basically the limit to which the link brand is able to alter the visual fabric of the Royal Oak design ethos. At first glance nothing has changed link here. But if you're an AP purist basically the whole thing has been altered. If dial design is your bag these changes might give you a heart attack.
Frederique Constant seems to turn out new calibers link like it's going out of style but with the demand for in-house link and manufacture calibers still high I doubt that will ever be the case. As such the brand has just announced its 31st caliber the FC-735 inside a new watch link the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture.
As with all of my favorite references and model numbers the 420380 means something specific. This case shape rounded with short lugs is a 42-style case. The 0 is for steel. And the 380 refers to this specific dial. link So I got close to a 420959 but ended up with a different dial. Im not mad though I link do think the 420959 is a better overall design but some of that feeling stems from my link general indifference to the Scuba Dude.
The hardest person to shop for is the one who buys themselves everything link they already want. Their needs are met and their interests are placated. To find the right gift for this person you must dig deep and find the unusual items they link didn't even know they were missing. For this gift guide we went through every corner of the Hodinkee Shop to bring a spotlight to those unique items that are as well-crafted as link a luxury timepiece and will surprise even the person who seems to have it all.
All in all this is a marginal change but I like to think it's a change with link purpose. What that purpose is we'll link have to wait and see. In the meantime keep an eye on HODINKEE link for incoming Hands-On coverage of the new Rolex releases.
It seems like the watch was imagined with great attention to the little details that tie everything together. The link orange-accented strap wears comfortably and nods at racing design in a link way that says "speed." link In fact the play between the orange accents and the black case keeps your eye moving around the dial and I think will make the watch enjoyable to look at and wear for the long term.