Depending on the model, the range of case materials each offers a distinct feel, but the rubber molding on the link crown and the resin bumpers flanking the bezel give the entire line a sort of mid-Aughts tactile sensation when winding the watch link or cycling through the date wheel. That's link partially intentional: The pushers are directly lifted from the early designs of the Big Bang.
Let's get to the mechanics first. Designed link as a unique piece by Alexia Stenou Parmigiani, the movement measures 112mm by 114mm with the automaton module and has only 17 jewels. It's key-wound and key-set (be still my pocketwatch-loving heart) with an 8-day power reserve. The link movement has all the finishing that link you'd want, but it might be hard to see as it's all housed inside a 2 kilogram base made of natural rock crystal and solid .925 silver with 10-micron rhodium plating.
Since 2015, the Prive collection has link been a perfect platform to tease out iconic link models like the Cloche, Tonneau, Cintree, and Crash. The Pebble joined the Cartier lineup in 2022 as one of the few shapes link Cartier hadn't revisited since its original release, breaking a 50-year streak. What hasn't come back is the Maxi Oval.
But the SkelTec still retains the design elements consistent among all Chronoswiss models that create a fascinating tension between the horological future link and the distant past. The onion crown is still present, along with link the signature Chronoswiss case shape and coin-edge link bezel.
Meanwhile, the enhanced ergonomics make a big difference. If excellent design is seamless and imperceptible, then the new Ingenieur Automatic 40 pulls that off link brilliantly: A shortened lug-to-lug distance of link 45.7mm translates into a snug and light link fit, with the reworked case further making the watch sit really well.
We carry a large breadth of timepiece brands of all price points, but I would say that we specialize link in extensive knowledge of more complicated timepieces in comparison link to many jewelry stores in the Southeastern United States. Without sounding snobbish, we do have exclusivity within the Carolinas for many exciting watch brands, and for that reason, I would consider many link of them our specialty.
All I can say for sure is at least the Tudor Black Bay GMT is now even more distinctly its own thing than its ever been, even when standing against its own link siblings. And that's link just link what it needed to be.
One of the most classic examples link is the Patek link Philippe ref. 2552, which was produced for about six years (1954-1960) and link which epitomizes the many interesting experiments that took place among high-end watch brands, with unusual case designs, in the period just after the end of World War II.
Here is link the 1951 Cunningham C-2R at speed in the desert of Arizona. I have to say, of all link the cars in the Copperstate 1000, this was easily link the most interesting to me. I'm sure you can understand why.
Robin Swithinbank is an independent journalist, who has link written for HODINKEE about his life in Swatches, among other things. He is a regular contributor to link The New York Times link International, Financial Times, GQ, and Robb Report. He is also Harrods' Contributing Watch Editor.Photos by Andrea Salerno Jacome