aBlogtoWatch

By the numbers, the world's most popular & influential wrist watch blog magazine; with watch reviews, collecting advice, and buying guides. Est. 2007

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Designed to capture the glamor of two of history’s most powerful women, Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Eleanor of Aquitaine, the new Perrelet Cleopatra and Eleonore elevate the brand’s signature double rotor complication into glimmering art, adorned with both sculptural forms and thoughtfully integrated diamonds.

Long famed for its show-stopping double rotor system, Perrelet has explored many different variations of these kinetic designs. Its latest foray into high jewelry marks two of its most brilliant, elegant expressions of this rotating assembly to date.

Both watches share the same fully polished Grade 5 titanium case design. Measuring in at 36.5mm wide and 12.9mm thick, it combines soft feminine curves with a larger wrist presence.

The Perrelet Cleopatra is the more sculptural of the pair with its rhodium-plated dial-side rotor dominated by an overlapping, wave-like fan motif, which introduces a sense of fluid rhythm into this rotor’s movement around the dial. Each “fan” adds a striking mother-of-pearl inlay, creating a beautiful contrast with the bright polish of their surroundings. Perrelet offers the Cleopatra in five sumptuous colors inspired by the beauty of ancient Egypt.

The dial of the Perrelet Eleonore is a bright, alluring cascade of diamonds. The dual rotor here is comprised of layers of diamond “droplets” radiating out from the center of the rhodium-plated assembly, covering nearly half the dial with diamond-set spectacle. Each colorway draws from Eleanor of Aquitaine’s medieval world, and her reign as both queen of France and England.

Both the Cleopatra and the Eleonore are powered by the in-house Perrelet P-181-H automatic movement sporting the brand’s patented double rotor technology. Perrelet fits the Cleopatra and the Eleonore with a matching five-link bracelet in Grade 5 titanium.

The double rotor system has been Perrelet’s signature feature for years. Despite its many varied interpretations, the Cleopatra and the Eleonore stand as perhaps the most elegant interpretations of this technology to date.

Discover the the Perrelet Cleopatra and the Perrelet Eleonore now on aBlogtoWatch.

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Swiss-made watches are back at Fossil. The new Signature CS-1 collection introduces two distinct models pairing Swiss movements with a design philosophy inspired by mid-century modern architecture. 

The stainless steel cases feature sculpted profiles, defined lugs, and contrasting polished and brushed surfaces. The Signature CS-1 Three-Hand Date Automatic measures 38mm in diameter, with a domed sapphire crystal, 100 meters water resistance, and three dial colorways inspired by vinyl records. 

Conversely, the Signature CS-1 Master Calendar Chronoquartz has a larger 42mm case. Its caseback is decorated with Fossil’s Triple Diamond Quality insignia, representing Fossil’s past, present, and future. The upper chronograph pusher also features a colored accent, echoing the small touches of color found throughout the collection.

Discover the Fossil Signature CS-1 now on aBlogtoWatch.

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French watchmaking has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with Pequignet operating at the movement’s vanguard, launching one of the first French-made movements in decades in 2011, nipping at the heels of haute horologie.

The Royale Paris Moon Phase features a 39.5mm steel or rose gold case and includes the latest version of the brand’s Calibre Royale, with a large date and packed with an incredible 96-hour power reserve. Offering high-end French manufacturing at a reasonable price point, it ably delivers aesthetics and function.

Head over to aBlogtoWatch for Mike’s full review.

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*Technically* the Glashütte Original 70s is the Swatch Group’s flagship contender in the integrated-bracelet sports watch arms race, leading its stablemates in price, finishing, and refinement. Yet the conversation almost completely ignores it.

With a new dial inspired by vintage audio equipment, a revised date window, and the in-house Caliber 36 automatic, it’s more broadly appealing than ever, with German pedigree to match.

Head over to aBlogtoWatch to see why Sean thinks the 70s collection is an underrated dark horse.

https://t.co/91l3Ri2hfi

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The Garmin MARQ is the brand’s “luxury modern tool watch,” bridging the brand’s preeminent digital tech with more traditional tool watch aesthetics. The third-generation MARQ is the most competent and refined high-end smartwatch from Garmin yet, offering grade five titanium, nano moulding, inductive pushers, and six different bezel offerings to suit your preferred style of adventure.

Head over to aBlogtoWatch for Ariel’s full story on the Gen 3 MARQ and its Mallorca launch.

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Solar-powered quartz watches are some of the most practical and reliable watches around, but so often the engineering behind them is hidden.

Mondaine decided to do things differently. The Mondaine Doppio Solar Skeleton highlights the solar panels powering the caliber inside with a large cutout, framing the dial around its powersource. Ripley has the full story in the latest edition of Actually Affordable, now live on aBlogtoWatch.

https://t.co/NIQrGAgR3u

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For enthusiasts of a certain generation, Citizen Promasters from the 1990s and 2000s have an indelible appeal. Bold, brash, and oh so utilitarian, the new limited-edition Citizen Promaster Air Skyhawk A-T is a tribute to the period in a vibrant gold-tone stainless steel case. Featuring the full suite of aviation-inspired complications with a potent visual and nostalgia hit for right under $1,000, it may be one of the best executions of the Skyhawk yet — but only 5,200 will be made. Sean has the full story over on aBlogtoWatch.

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Is this the perfect collector’s Panerai? 🤔

The Panerai Luminor Destro PAM01732 is inspired by the brand’s 1960s heritage, with a 9:00 hand crown for left-handed wearers and hardcore users, featuring the brand’s smaller 44mm Luminor case with a sandwich dial, 300m water resistance, and a manually wound caliber visible through the display caseback.

Head over to aBlogtoWatch for Ariel’s full review.

https://t.co/gG846VdJKF

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Take a mid-century skindiver but modernize it. Add Grade 5 titanium, and you have the Trematic T-Five Beguia Maris. Combining modern materials with a contemporary take on the classic diver format, the T-Five Beguia Maris offers a classic 39mm case with a La Joux-Perret G101 for a stylish and capable tool watch under $1,500 from a brand around at the start of the skindiver craze. Ripley has the full story over on aBlogtoWatch.

https://t.co/btBk4hXET3

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Citizen is no stranger to affordable sports watches, but the latest Promaster entry sets its sights on a far more niche variety: the yacht timer.

The Citizen Promaster WaveTracker combines the brand’s forty years of sailing-watch experience into a budget-friendly, Eco-Drive-powered package jammed full of functionality. It’s Jacob’s entry for watch of the summer — to check out his full review, head over to aBlogtoWatch.

https://t.co/mtBuZiNdZM

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The Chopard Happy Sport claims to be the first watch to combine diamonds with steel back in 1993. What David knows for certain is that in Lucent steel, the Happy Sport 36mm is better than ever.

With seven dancing diamonds, an ETA automatic, and the world’s cleanest, most reflective steel, the Happy Sport in Lucent Steel is a hybrid of play and charm, beauty and engineering. Head over to aBlogtoWatch for David’s full review.

https://t.co/6VfEkkmYJO

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Nothing is as rare or exotic as elements sourced from outer space. Diatom goes even further, crafting watches from the solar system’s innermost celestial bodies and mission-flown spacecraft, and testing each and every one of its timepieces in the uniquely rigorous environment of outer space. The Inner Worlds series presents some of the greatest spacefaring credentials ever put into a timepiece, along with painstakingly crafted dials inspired by each of the inner planets.

Take the Inner Worlds Mercury, for which Diatom adds genuine material from the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft, melting it into a unique alloy for the rotor. The Inner Worlds Venus creates its unique rotor alloy with material from a mission-flown Atlas-Agena launch vehicle, the platform used to launch Mariner 2.

However, the Inner Worlds Earth might have the most important rotor material of all. Alloyed into the winding rotor of this model is a piece of Kapton thermal insulation from Command Module Odyssey aboard Apollo 13, tying it directly to one of the greatest acts of heroism in space exploration history.

The themes carry over to the dials of Inner Worlds. Take Earth, where Diatom pays tribute to the beauty of our home planet with rippling, flowing waves emanating from the center, lending life to a vibrant oceanic blue dégradé dial surface. Or Mars, where the dial’s ridges are coated with material from the NWA 13187 meteorite.

Whether they carry their spacefaring legacy on their dials or in their movements, the Inner Worlds series has one final layer of astral credentials: every watch in the series is sent on a journey to space inside a custom carbon fiber launch vehicle, launched beyond the Armstrong Limit, and monitored throughout the flight to ensure optimal post-landing performance.

Few, if any, brands can match the Diatom Inner Worlds line’s combination of genuine space materials with space-flown testing, especially in such an attractive, dynamic execution. Fewer still will exist — only 450 examples of each model in the Diatom Inner Worlds series will be produced.

Discover the Diatom Inner Worlds Collection now on aBlogtoWatch.

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It’s no secret: algorithms are the drivers of modern curation. Ariel sees this as a danger to enthusiasts who are fed suggested content from an algorithm versus human curation (to say nothing of the broader effects).

Do you agree? Let us know down below, and head over to aBlogtoWatch for the latest edition of According to Ariel.

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The G-SHOCK MR-G MRGD5000 is the most expensive G-SHOCK ever made 🤯

Coming in at a whopping 80,000, the MRGD5000 is limited to just 20 pieces and features a full sapphire case engineered to legendary G-SHOCK durability — something G-SHOCK inventor Kikuo Ibe has wanted to do for years.

It’s sheer material-defying spectacle, and Sean has the full story over on aBlogtoWatch.

https://t.co/LkLyymz8ds

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Most of us have dreamed up our perfect watch — Thomas Hill, founder of Abinger Watches, went out and made his.

The Abinger Phantom Luna takes the brand’s 38mm Nimrod case with its 12-hour bezel and adds a sandblasted black DLC coating for hazardous duty. The Phantom offers both black and full lume dials while a Miyota 9039 beats inside, with the resulting package retailing for just under $1,000.

Is this the mid-sized value statement you’ve been waiting for? Let us know down below, and head over to aBlogtoWatch for Jacob’s full review.

https://t.co/zTESOGuH4x

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The new Multifort TV Big Date Día de los Muertos Alebrijes introduces its colorful calavera motif to the retro-inspired Multifort TV collection for the first time, bringing a distinctly Mexican character to one of the brand’s most recognizable contemporary designs.

Observed on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones through colorful celebrations rooted in Indigenous and Catholic traditions. Families create ofrendas, or altars, decorated with photographs, marigolds, candles, and offerings to welcome the spirits of the departed. UNESCO recognized the tradition as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

The centerpiece of the Multifort TV Big Date Día de los Muertos Alebrijes is its elaborate gray-to-black gradient dial. A colorful calavera occupies the center of the composition, surrounded by fantastical animal figures inspired by Mexican alebrijes. Twelve different lacquers create the intricate multicolored artwork, while animal motifs engraved in negative relief introduce additional texture and depth with the addition of three colors of Swiss Super-LumiNova, taking on a different appearance in the dark.

The oversized date display remains positioned at 12 o’clock, powered by Mido’s automatic Caliber 90 based on the ETA C07.651. Recessed luminous hour markers and diamond-cut, faceted hands provide the essential timekeeping indications. Even the date mechanism receives a thematic detail: the numeral 1 is shaped like a bone, carrying the Día de los Muertos inspiration into one of the watch’s defining mechanical features.

With its combination of traditional cultural imagery, vibrant dial decoration, and the contemporary Multifort TV case, the Día de los Muertos Alebrijes continues a tradition that has become a distinctive part of Mido’s annual collection.

Discover the Mido Multifort TV Big Date Día de los Muertos Alebrijes now on aBlogtoWatch.

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Bamford London has no shortage of unique, diverse releases in its back catalogue, but the independent British brand has never produced its own dedicated, fully purpose-built diver.

Until now. The Bamford London D-300 isn’t just a professional-grade diving timepiece, it’s a statement of style that could only come from Bamford London.

Bamford fans will recognize the 42mm wide cushion case form that anchors the Bamford London D-300, as the general silhouette draws its inspiration from the best-selling Bamford London GMT, with a twist — a show-stopping gloss white ceramic finish.

The D-300’s solid ceramic rotating bezel extends the material’s enduring color and scratch resistance to the very edge of the watch, creating a seamless finish with the ceramic case. With a grooved, engraved surface and a partial fill in glossy navy blue, this all-ceramic bezel makes a bold statement with a heavy gear-toothed edge that doesn’t compromise on performance.

As the brand’s first-ever purpose-built dive watch, Bamford London pushed the D-300 to 300 meters — going above and beyond many of its more established competitors.

Bamford London carries its iconoclastic style over to the D-300’s dial. Bold, wide Arabic numerals join classic circular markers at the hours, while the hands are wide, tapering lume-filled white batons. Rather than simple black, the dial surface itself is a deep, nuanced matte midnight blue, contrasting with the case with a look reminiscent of frigid Arctic waters.

Bamford London powers the D-300 with either the ETA 2824-2 or the Sellita SW200-1. Both are dependable Swiss-made automatic power plants, with solid accuracy and an ease of servicing that should make long-term ownership of the D-300 a breeze.

Since its inception in 2009, Bamford London has consistently delivered striking, distinctive visual statements for the wrist. The Bamford London D-300 combines a dynamic, ultra-light ceramic presentation, creating a piece that’s equally well suited for the nightclub as the ocean depths.

Discover the Bamford London D-300 now on aBlogtoWatch.

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The Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport collection caused a stir at its announcement, bringing a more traditional dive-style watch to the catalog. Featuring a 40mm stainless steel case, 200m water resistance, and Zenith’s excellent new ZENCLASP micro-adjust system, it offers feature-packed high-beat performance — at a cost. Ariel has the full story over on aBlogtoWatch.

https://t.co/oWPQyKCTZj

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Sean has a confession: he’s never been a “Rolex guy.” That is, until he borrowed a 1974 Oysterdate Precision Ref. 6694. 

34mm, smooth bezel, gilt markers and hands on a black dial, and a cyclops date display on a textured leather strap — it’s everything he didn’t expect to like. Sometimes, pushing your comfort zone can lead to discoveries. 

Head over to ABTW to see how it won him over in the latest edition of Time Machines. 

https://t.co/1SGfar4MoS

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The Shinola Detrola Color Theory Warm offers a fun geometric dial, 41mm stainless steel and resin case, and an American-assembled quartz movement in a $500 package — including a display caseback. Head over to aBlogtoWatch for Ripley’s full hands-on.

https://t.co/zFbDEivw54