Posts for Watches
Bell & Ross Promotion - BR03-90 Power Reserve
2012 May 16
For a limited time and while supplies last, we are offering the new Bell & Ross BR03-90 Reserve de Marche (Power Reserve, with big date) for 3995$ plus tax - regular MSRP 5280$.
U-Boat Promotion! 20-30% Off All In-Stock Models
2012 May 05
U-Boat watches are on sale – get 25-30% off all in-stock models including the popular Flightdeck and Classico models, and 20% off in-stock limited editions including the U-42 and U-1001. Visit us in store or contact us for more information.
Omega Seamaster 300
2012 April 23
Omega is one of the top Swiss brands in the world today, and is increasingly becoming a serious competitor against Rolex. The brand has evolved considerably in the last 10 years, and is gaining in popularity each year. The new series of watches are making use of finely engineered in-house calibres that offer a lot of watch for the money. It used to be that Omega was the more reasonable choice for a fine Swiss watch – less expensive than Rolex and the like, but exceptionally well made and very reliable. This was especially true from the 1950 to mid 70s - Omega’s golden era.
Rado Promotion - 30% off Until April 30th
2012 April 07
From now until April 30th, get 30% off all in-stock Rado timepieces for men and women! A partir de maintenant jusqu'au 30 Avril obtenez 30% sur tous les montres Rado en stock pour les hommes et les femmes!
Bell & Ross BR01 Red Radar
2012 March 30
Matt Baily was the first Bell & Ross retailer in Canada, and we have witnessed the evolution of the company from a quirky producer of professional watches into a powerhouse brand driven by distinctive industrial designs. Their BR01 and BR03 Instrument series are still the benchmark for modern military-industrial watches. To keep the design fresh, Bell & Ross has introduced numerous colour variations and complications over the years; the Red Radar limited edition in particular has garnered a lot of press in the watch media as a seriously cool design that takes the Instrument to another level.
Basel 2012 - New U-Boat U42 Limited Editions
2012 March 16
U-Boat announces two new U-42 53mm titanium models - the U-42 GMT and the U-42 Bronze and Black.
Watches in Depth - Collecting Vintage
2012 March 12
In recent years we in the watch industry have seen an explosion of popularity in one sector of the market – vintage watches. In the last 20 years vintage watches have been steadily rising in value, and demand is getting stronger each year. You can see the influence of this demand in the new watch market, with almost every major company making re-editions of classic designs or retro-themed timepieces that attempt to capture the stylistic essence of vintage models. Vintage, it seems, is the in thing – not just in watches, but also in cars, clothing, music, furniture… Every part of the market seems to be under the influence of old-world design.
Basel 2012 - Bell & Ross WW1 Jump Hour
2012 March 08
The latest news from Bell & Ross - an updated Jump Hour model in the WW1 line available in 18k rose gold and platinum.
Luck and Bell & Ross - a Story from a Client
2012 March 01
This week we share an interesting story of loss and recovery from one of our clients.
Pre-Basel 2012 - New Rado Hyperchrome Watches
2012 February 23
Baselworld 2012 is approaching, and we have more news from Rado about a new series of ceramic watches for men and women called the Hyperchrome.
Graham Chronofighter RAC
2012 February 20
I’ve written about Graham watches in the blog before. It’s an interesting brand that has its roots in classical English watchmaking (though nowadays everything is made in Switzerland). What I have here is the prototypical Graham Chronofighter RAC, a classic design that, along with the Swordfish, has come to define the Graham style. While most people are familiar with the Oversize series of gigantic watches, not that many are aware of Graham’s more modestly sized offerings. While the Oversize is a sport watch that will dominate the wrist, the classic Chronofighter is an elegant, distinctly English design that straddles the line between classic and sport.
Watches in Depth - Oddball Complications
2012 February 13
So far in the Watches in Depth series I’ve given coverage to the most important and most popular forms of complication – chronographs, tourbillons, calendars, and repeaters. These complications are well served in the current market. What about the odd complications, the one offs, the rarities that never became widespread? This feature is to highlight the forgotten complications that are often overlooked and under served in the modern market.
Oris BC4 Retrograde Pilot Watch
2012 February 06
This week we here at Matt Baily received a new line of Swiss watches – Oris. Continuing our tradition of seeking out interesting small brands that offer good value for nice timepieces, we took on Oris as a way to round out our collection of cool sport watches. And the brand doesn’t disappoint – they offer a number of interesting models that are well made, good looking, and reasonably priced. One model in particular caught my eye – the BC4 Retrograde, a pilot-style watch with a cool complication that sets it apart from the crowd.
Pre-Basel 2012 - New Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer
2012 February 01
It's a watch, and a (sort of) marine chronometer - the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer limited edition celebrates the 120th anniversary of Hamilton with a convertible wristwatch that can be used as a desk clock.
Watches in Depth - Movement Calibres
2012 January 30
When perusing watch reviews and blogs, you’ll often read about ETA and Valjoux movements, or perhaps “manufacture” calibres. Perhaps you have heard of module complications or modified calibres in various brands. To the uninitiated this sort of under-the-hood jargon can be a bit confusing, and it warrants some clarification. Even seasoned watch lovers might not be aware of what is involved in the creation of a watch movement, and how many brands share common parts and calibres. So in the spirit of watch nut education, I present the latest instalment of Watches in Depth – Movement Calibres.
Alpina Extreme Sailing Automatic
2012 January 23
Alpina has been on a roll lately, after introducing several cool new models (including the Startimer and Extreme Sailing, and the upcoming Heritage Pilot) that have really put the spotlight back onto the brand. The new theme seems to be better design, better quality, and lowered retail prices overall. The new Extreme Sailing Automatic in particular offers exceptional value; it’s a clean, functional and good-looking watch that appears far more expensive than it is.
Pre-Basel 2012 : Frederique Constant Carrera Panamerica Limited Edition
2012 January 19
Frederique Constant unveils their latest limited edition series - the Carrera Panamerica - to honour its namesake, a classic road race held in Mexico.
Pre-Basel 2012 - Alpina Heritage Pilot 50mm Limited Edition
2012 January 18
Alpina introduces its new 50mm Heritage Pilot model, a limited edition watch inspired by 1930s aviation designs set to debut at the Baselworld 2012 show.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Safari
2012 January 16
When it comes to big, bold, haute-horlogerie sport watches Audemars Piguet is the brand to beat. Since 1972 their signature Royal Oak series has become a legendary model that has aged gracefully and received numerous evolutionary updates over the decades to keep it fresh. The Royal Oak Offshore, in particular, has become a huge hit for the brand since it was introduced in 1993, and it remains their signature model. This week I will be profiling one of the most popular Offshores, the so-called “Safari” edition.
Orbita Watchwinders
2012 January 09
Rado D-Star 200 Diver Announced
2012 January 05
Matt Baily is Montreal’s latest Rado retailer, and we brought in the brand in anticipation of their new releases for 2012 that promised to bring the brand into the fore of the high-tech watch market after years of conservative design. Now we have our first glimpse of the direction that Rado is going with the new D-Star 200 diving models, announced this week on the Rado website.
Rolex 16710 GMT Master II
2012 January 02
When it comes to Rolex sport watches, the GMT-Master is one of the top choices among collectors and watch lovers the world over. More elegant and functional than the Submariner, and more popular than the Explorer, the GMT-Master is a modern classic that has been a brand favourite for over 50 years. The example we have here is the last of the traditional GMT-Masters, the 16710 with “coke” bezel.
New Rado Sintra XXL Skeleton Chronometer
2011 December 19
The latest addition to the Matt Baily lineup is Rado, a favourite brand among fashion conscious trend-setters who want avant-garde design and high-tech materials. A pioneer in the field of composites and ceramic watch cases, Rado has made a name for itself by innovating in a traditionally conservative Swiss watch market. One of the centrepieces of the Rado collection is the Sintra, a tonneau-shaped model available in a variety of ceramic colours with an integrated bracelet. And the flagship of the Sintra collection is the new XXL Skeleton Chronometer, which showcases a beautifully skeletonized automatic movement.
New U-Boat U-42 Chronograph and 47mm Limited Editions
2011 December 12
Last year U-Boat came out with the U-42 limited edition series, a 53mm titanium monster based on a diver’s watch designed in 1942 by Ilvo Fontana, grandfather of company president Italo Fontana. The U-42 was a very distinctive watch that offered a totally unique look in the U-Boat line, one that competed more with the likes of Panerai and Audemars Piguet (but for much less money). This year U-Boat has expanded the U-42 lineup to include an automatic chronograph, as well as a midsize 47mm model to suit more average wrist sizes.
New Bell & Ross WW1 Military and Heritage
2011 December 05
Bell & Ross watches have long been a Montreal favourite. We were the first dealer in Canada for the brand, and had them before they released their iconic Instrument series. Nowadays the Instrument is BR’s flagship, but they also produce a series of interesting round designs in the Vintage series. The latest additions to the Vintage line are the WW1 wristwatches, a series inspired by very early military watches that were adapted from pocketwatches.
Jason on ABlogToRead - Vintage Omegas
2011 November 30
This week I wrote a brief guide on collecting vintage Omega watches for Ariel Adams at ABlogToRead. Mr. Adams recently had the opportunity to visit the Omega museum at the Biel facility, and provided many excellent photos of some of the key pieces in their collection. I have a personal interest in Omegas made before the 1980s and have a small but growing collection of various models from the 1950s to 1980s, so I wrote this article to share my passion with budding collectors looking to get into Omega.
A.Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Timezone
2011 November 21
When most people think of fine haute-horlogerie, they think of Switzerland. Rightly so, considering that Switzerland has some of the finest brands in the industry and the vast majority of modern watchmaking talent resides there. There is, however, an exception to this trend – in the Saxon countryside of Germany lies the city of Glashutte, a tiny town that has become the hub of German watchmaking. Here is where you will find the factory of A. Lange & Sohne, one of the best timepiece manufactures located outside of Switzerland.
Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Grande Date
2011 November 07
In the annals of watchmaking history, Jaeger LeCoultre is one of the powerhouse manufactures that has enjoyed steady success for over a century by producing top-tier timepieces and distinctive pieces that have led the market in quality and style. Today JLC is a true manufacture, producing all of its components in-house and finishing its watches to the highest level while maintaining competitive pricing. Quality and value have long been the tenets of JLC; they are also known for their innovative models that have become icons of classic design, such as the Polaris, Memovox, Atmos, and the famous Reverso.
Watches in Depth - Minute Repeaters
2011 October 29
In the realm of complications there are certain functions that surpass all others in terms of complexity. You have the tourbillon, the most common superfluous complication out there. You have the perpetual calendar, the mechanical calculator that computes the leap year cycle. You can have a myriad of lesser complications combined together. But for the true watch lover, nothing beats the king of haute-horlogerie – the mighty repeater complication, one of the most difficult mechanisms to execute and one of the single most expensive complications to purchase.
New U-Boat U-51 46mm Limited Edition
2011 October 21
In the realm of big watches, U-Boat is king. Starting around 10 years ago, U-Boat was the first company to produce huge watches in 50mm plus diameters. At the time big watches were just beginning to come into vogue, since then big watches have become the norm and U-Boat has flourished. However, there are some folks (myself included) who just don’t have the wrist size to pull off a massive watch. Up until now there have been the 45mm Classico and Flightdeck models for people who want a big watch without going into the 50mms, but the limited edition pieces were always in the bigger size range. This year U-Boat has addressed this by introducing several new series of 46-47mm limited editions, including the U-1001, U-42, and the subject of today’s blog, the U-51.
Rolex Explorer I 214270
2011 October 10
Rolex has many storied models that have become legendary among watch aficionados and collectors alike. There are the ubiquitous Submariner and Sea-Dweller models, and the pilot’s favourite GMT Masters, and of course the ever-popular Datejust and Day-Date models that have become symbols of classic style and distinction. But one model range is often forgotten in favour of its more glamourous siblings – the Explorer series. Reaching back over 50 years, the Explorer has long been an understated and rugged sport model that has a rich history that should put it into the pantheon of other Rolex sport models.
New Hamilton Jazzmaster Auto Chrono
2011 September 26
Hamilton has long been a Matt Baily favourite here in Montreal, offering superb value for reasonable money. Hamiltons have elegant designs, are well built, nicely finished, and offer exceptional bang for buck compared to most Swiss brands. The latest Jazzmaster chronograph continues the tradition, while offering a subtle evolutionary upgrade of the existing series.
Bell & Ross Military Ceramic
2011 September 12
Ceramic is the latest trend in watch technology, having been dormant for many years (ceramic watches first emerged in the 1960s). The recent popularity of ceramic watches like the Chanel J12, not to mention the ceramic accents on high-tech watches from Hublot and Audemars Piguet, has created a demand for more and more ceramic designs from a variety of manufacturers. Entering the fray is Bell & Ross with a variety of new ceramic models, including the BR03-92 Military Ceramic (green, as we have here, and blue due later this year) and the upcoming BR01-92 Ceramic.
Watches in Depth - Calendars
2011 August 29
Calendar watches are the single most common complication in modern watchmaking. They are so ubiquitous that most people wouldn’t even think they are a complication at all – we’ve become so accustomed to having a date on our watches we take it for granted. The irony in this complacency is that the calendar mechanism can be one of the most difficult and expensive complications to produce when you have to factor in leap years.
Frederique Constant Peking to Paris Chronograph
2011 August 22
Frederique Constant (and sister company Alpina) have a history of interesting sports sponsorships. Alpina sponsors the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, while Frederique Constant has been a part of the Lake Geneva Regatta for classic boats (commemorated by the Runabout series), and has also worked with the Austin Healey owners club for the Healey line. The latest limited edition from Frederique follows that same idea of a classic watch for a classic event – the Peking to Paris chronograph commemorates the legendary automobile rally between China and France.
Watches in Depth - The Tourbillon
2011 August 15
When it comes to complications, the tourbillon is the top tier of the watchmaker’s art. It is one of the most difficult complications to execute, one of the most expensive to buy, and one of the most superfluous in function. Tourbillons have had a sort of renaissance in the last 20 years, with ever more exotic and exponentially more complex variants, but the basic principle dates back to the 18th century when Abraham Louis Breguet was looking for a way to beat gravity.
New Alpina Startimers
2011 August 01
Since we introduced Alpina to the Montreal market some three years ago, we here at Matt Baily’s have seen the brand evolve from a small manufacturer of quirky sport watches into a well-respected marque producing very desirable watches for very reasonable prices. This year Alpina has introduced a slew of new entry-level models that are very reasonably priced while still showing a marked improvement in quality. Chief among these new models is the Startimer Pilot series, which was announced earlier this year alongside the Sailing collection. After several months of anticipation, we finally have the Startimer collection in store, and they do not disappoint.
Watches in Depth - Chronometers
2011 July 28
For centuries the pursuit of accuracy and stable rate in clocks and watches has been the driving force behind innovation and quality. The pursuit of accuracy is a cause that has significant trickle-down effects to even the least expensive mechanical watches, much moreso than the pursuit of ever-more complicated pieces. Where a highly complex watch is a bold and visible display of watchmaking prowess, the pursuit of absolute precision is the application of immense skill that often goes unnoticed by the consumer. The chronometer is a finely crafted mechanical watch that exhibits the highest degree of accuracy possible, with official certification to declare it as such. Outside of high-complications, the building of chronometers is one of the top tiers of watchmaking.
New U-Boat U-1001 47 In Store
2011 July 25
This week on the blog we introduce the U-Boat Classico U-1001 47mm Limited Edition, a scaled down and dressed up version of the U-1001 diving watch, now available in-store at Matt Baily's.
Watches in Depth - The Chronograph
2011 July 15
One of the most popular complications in watchmaking is the chronograph, the watch that doubles as a stopwatch as well as a timekeeper. It’s been one of the most prolific complication in the 20th century, second only to the basic calendar complication, and are accessible from entry-level Swiss brands all the way up to the top of the watchmaker’s craft. The chronograph has a long history in fine watchmaking, and has long been a symbol of mechanical prowess combined with everyday functionality. After having become so popular and commonplace, many people overlook just how complicated a fine chronograph mechanism really is.
New Frederique Constant and Alpina Models In Store
2011 July 04
New in-store are the latest offerings from Matt Baily favourites Alpina and Frederique-Constant. We have received a number of new luxury watches that run the gamut from supremely elegant to casual sport, including the much-anticipated Frederique Slimline Automatic and Alpina Startimer Chronograph.
New In-Store: Rubber B Straps for Rolex
2011 June 23
New in store is a very cool product for your Rolex watches – Rubber B straps. Made in Switzerland with high quality vulcanized rubber, these straps are designed to perfectly match Rolex cases with form-fitted lugs and special end-pieces that connect to the Rolex OEM fliplock clasp.
Watches in Depth - Mechanical vs Electronic
2011 June 20
Not too long ago I wrote an FAQ on watches and watch technology for the benefit of our readers and clients... In the spirit of my original FAQ I have decided to begin a series of in-depth blogs on specific subjects – different complications and their variations, the engineering and mechanical work involved in a movement, how a watch is serviced, and other topics for people who wish to learn more about luxury watches.
New Hamilton Thin-o-Matic In Store
2011 June 06
As I’ve mentioned in the blog before, we are seeing a return to classic and simple designs in the luxury watch industry after years of huge and bold sporty watches... A perfect example of this trend is the new Hamilton Thin-o-Matic, an updated re-edition of a classic dress watch from Hamilton’s golden age.
Matt Baily and AskMen Grand Prix Pre-Party Thursday June 9th
2011 June 03
On Thursday, June 9th AskMen.ca will be hosting a Montreal Grand-Prix Pre-Party event at the Time Supper Club (997 Saint Jacques Ouest, Montreal) sponsored by Cadillac. Matt Baily's will be on hand to give style and consumer advice about watches, alongside cigar experts from Casa del Habano, car experts from Cadillac, style experts from Le Pascha, and couture advisors from Pelligrino Castronovo. Doors open at 7pm and the party goes until 10pm. Come join us for a night of fun, fashion, and luxury!
Vacheron Constantin Historique Toledo 1952
2011 May 30
Vacheron Constantin has always been a traditional luxury manufacture, preferring to make classic haute gamme timepieces rather than bowing to the market fads. They have made sporty designs in recent years, but they are still best known for their elegant dress watches that combine impeccable quality with a timeless understated style... Case in point – the Toledo 1952 annual calendar, which is part of the Historique collection of classically inspired timepieces...
VIDEO: New U-Boat Classico U-1001 47mm
2011 May 22
A video presentation of the new 2011 U-Boat Classico U-1001 limited edition watches in 47mm, from this year's Baselworld show in Switzerland.
VIDEO: Bell & Ross Watches Basel 2011
2011 May 15
VIDEO: New Bell & Ross watches from Baselworld 2011, including the Red Radar, the WW1 Vintage, the new Airborne, and the BR01 Ceramic.
U-Boat Titanium Flightdeck
2011 May 11
The U-Boat range is divided into three main models – Classico, Flightdeck and Thousands of Feet. One of the most popular models is the Flightdeck Chronograph which has become one of U-Boat’s signature designs, featuring an automatic Valjoux chronograph in a sporty case with very legible dials. Traditionally the Flightdeck features a stainless steel case, but a few lesser known variations exist – the ceramic and titanium models. What we have here is one of my favourite U-Boats and the latest addition to the Flightdeck line – reference 1881 in titanium...
Rolex Patent Pending Double Red Sea Dweller
2011 May 02
This week, Jason profiles one of the most significant collectible Rolex sport watches - the "Patent Pending" Double Red Sea Dweller ref 1665.
Jason on ABlogtoRead - On Vintage Watches
2011 April 29
This week Jason has contributed a blog post to ABlogToRead.com on vintage watch collecting.
Jason on AskMen.com - On Choosing a Watch
2011 April 26
An interview with Matt Baily's Jason Cormier on choosing the right watch and how to pick a watch size.
Jaeger leCoultre ATMOS Clocks
2011 April 25
The most fascinating clock in the world that you can buy - the Jaeger leCoultre ATMOS clock is the closest thing to a perpetual motion machine you can own.
A Brief History of Marvin Watches
2011 April 18
The Marvin Watch company has been around for over 160 years, and this week Jason gives a short history of the brand from 1850 to the present, covering the development of the company, its disappearance, and its rebirth in 2002.
A Brief History of the Rolex Daytona - Part III
2011 April 11
In the final instalment of his Rolex Daytona profile, Jason reviews three modern examples of the Daytona - two 116520s in stainless steel and one 116509 in 18K white gold.
A Brief History of the Rolex Daytona - Part II
2011 April 04
In part two of his profile of the Rolex Daytona, Jason explains why the Daytona has become one of the top collector's pieces in the vintage watch market.
A Brief History of the Rolex Daytona - Part I
2011 March 28
In part one of three part series, Jason gives a brief history of the Rolex Daytona - a watch that is celebrating 50 years of production in 2011.
IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Review
2011 March 21
Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chronograph
2011 March 14
This week Jason returns to his profiling of interesting pre-owned pieces with a look at the Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chronograph.
Alpina Announces New Startimer Pilot Designs
2011 February 28
Alpina reveals a new series of Pilot watches - the Alpina Startimer automatic.
Azimuth Round 1 Regulator Retrograde
2011 February 26
In this week's blog Jason profiles the cool and quirky Azimuth Round 1 Retrograde Regulator, a very distinctive dress watch from a small manufacturer of interesting complications.
Follow us on Twitter!
2011 February 23
Follow Jason, Mel and the store on Twitter! Jason_mattbaily, Mel_mattbaily, and Matt_Baily.
New for 2011 U-Boat Watch Models in Store
2011 February 17
Jason profiles the latest additions to the U-Boat lineup, including the new Titanium Ceramic Classicos, the U-51 Chronograph, the U-42 limited edition, and the U-1001 IPB.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watches - New FAQ
2011 February 16
Jason unveils his mightiest creation - a comprehensive Luxury Watch FAQ for beginners and experts alike. Browse the Matt Baily Knowledge Base for info on everything watch related from complications, servicing, warranty info, history, and more. http://www.mattbaily.ca/watch-faq/
New Bell & Ross Vintages in Store
2011 February 16
In this week's blog, Jason takes a look at the new Bell & Ross Vintage series of watches.
New Marvin Malton and Loeb Models in Store
2011 January 27
In this week's blog, Jason gives a brief profile of the new Marvin Malton and Sebastien Loeb watches now available in store at Matt Baily's.
January 2011 Watch Clearance – New Deals for the New Year
2011 January 22
2011 is here, and so are a new set of Specials to give you the best value for your money. Visit our Specials section to see what is new on clearance for our New Year New Deals sale.
Paul Picot Technograph
2011 January 12
For this week's review, Jason has a look at the unique Paul Picot Technograph. Read more...
Holiday Gift Guide - Luxury Gift Ideas from Matt Baily
2010 December 01
We prepared a Holiday Gift Guide featuring our luxury items in an attempt to inspire you and make your holiday gift shopping a little easier.
Panerai Pam 233 vs IWC Big Pilot 5002 - Part III of III
2010 November 17
This week, Jason wraps up his head-to-head comparison of the Panerai PAM 233 1950 GMT and the International Watch Co. Big Pilot ref 5002.
November Newsletter - Tissot Watches, Two New Brands for Women, And Many New Models
2010 November 05
Coming up in November are three new brands, Tissot, Hera, and Bedat & Co., along with new watches from Frédérique Constant and Alpina.
Marvin Watch Co. Unveils the LOEB Special Edition
2010 November 05
The Marvin Watch Co. LOEB Limited Edition has been revealed! Jason has the scoop and official photos of the new watch.
Marvin Watches Reveals Loeb Timepiece Tomorrow - Sneak Peak
2010 November 03
Marvin Presents - Meet Sebastien Loeb in Paris
2010 October 20
This November 4th, Marvin will be hosting a meet-n-greet with rally superstar and brand ambassador Sebastien Loeb in Paris, France to unveil the new Marvin timepiece he helped design.
Cage Match Part II/III - 5002 vs 233
2010 October 19
This week, it's part two of our three part bout between the horological heavyweights - the IWC Big Pilot 5002 vs the Panerai PAM 233.
Vacheron Constantin 6115 Ultra Slim
2010 September 24
This week Jason profiles the stunning Vacheron Constantin 6115 Ultra Slim, one of the thinnest and most elegant wristwatches ever created.
Tonnes of New Watches At The Boutique This Fall
2010 September 24
This Fall the Matt Baily boutique is receiving some of 2010's hottest watches including the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Military Ceramic, BR Vintage 123 and 126, and the Marvin Malton series.
Franck Muller Master Banker
2010 August 26
In this week's blog, Jason gives an overview of the Franck Muller Master Banker - a classic FM design with a complex heart lurking beneath that curvy exterior.
U-Boat U-51 Rattrapante Video Review - Literally Awesome
2010 August 24
A Full HD video presenting U-Boat's most complicated model (as of August 2010), the U-51 Rattrapante.
Video Review of the Alpina Extreme Regulator Manufacture
2010 August 20
A video that we uploaded presenting the cool and sophisticated Extreme Regulator Manufacture by Alpina watches.
Video Presentation of the BR 01-92 Radar Limited Edition
2010 August 19
A video presentation of the Bell & Ross BR 01-92 Radar, a peculiar, high-grade timepiece. Shot at Bell & Ross headquarters it tells us about the inspiration behind the watch and about its special features.
Marvin M109 Presentation - Everybody Loves Marvin M109
2010 August 18
A presentation of the M109 by Marvin Watch Co. This fantastic timepiece is at once classic and modern, elegant and bold.
Video Presentation of the BR 03-92 Military Ceramic Bell & Ross Instrument
2010 August 14
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Military Ceramic is the culmination of the company's love for ceramic materials. It is the ceramic watch that best embodies the Bell & Ross design and manufacturing principles. In a video taken at Bell & Ross headquarters in Paris, the manufacturer's head of communications shows us this magnificent piece in details
Graham Silverstone Flyback GMT
2010 July 16
Graham Silverstone GMT Jason profiles the beautiful Graham Silverstone Flyback GMT Chronograph in this week's blog.
5 Great Summer Luxury Watches at Matt Baily
2010 July 15
Summer time offers us warm weather and a plethora of activities. This Baily Blog post lists five of the best summer watches available at the Matt Baily boutique in Montreal QC, Canada.
A Video Review of the Hamilton X-Landing Limited Edition Watch
2010 July 14
During Marco's visit to Hamilton headquarters in Biel/Bienne, he was able to film the watches in a full 1080p HD. In this Baily Blog entry, we present the limited edition X-Landing.
Extreme Regulator Embodies Alpina's Uniqueness - With Video Review
2010 July 13
The Extreme Regulator is a fine example of the Alpina's personality and unique style. The quality of the mechanical movement and Swiss manufacturing are the base for a gorgeous, robust watch. In this entry we also present a quick video presentation of the Extreme Regulator in Full 1080p HD quality.
Review of Marvin Watch Co° M112 - Inspired By A Great Past
2010 July 12
The M112 collection captures both the past and present of Marvin Watch Co°. Its dial is symbolic of the Fifties and Sixties, an era when watches were meant to be elegant accessories, while the wide, 44mm case and modern materials represent the demands of today's luxury watch enthusiasts.
The Story of U-Boat Watches From Matt Baily to Baselworld 2010
2010 July 09
From 2005 to 2010, Matt Baily has been a proud authorized retailer of U-Boat watches. During that time the we witnessed the company re-invent itself and their products get better and better. Whether you are a fans of large, luxury watches or not, there is no escaping the intrigue of Italo Fontana's designs. This Baily Blog entry recapitulates U-Boat's past five years as seen from within the Matt Baily boutique.
Video Review of Frédérique Constant Open Heart Manufacture Moonphase
2010 July 08
Not every watch manufacturer makes their watches from the ground-up. Many of the best known Swiss companies purchase ébauches, which are blank or unfinished, high-grade movements produced by third-party companies such as Sellita or E.T.A. Once a brand is able to create their own, in-house mechanisms, it enters a select circle of companies dubbed the Manufactures. A manufacture is able to control the quality and look of their watch mechanisms. This often leads to the creation of amazingly finished spectacles of horology in as the manufacturer attempts to distinguish them from the more common third party ébauches. Frédérique Constant is a remarkable case, because few companies serving the entry-price level luxury market have ventured into manufacture territory. In 2004 the company released an in-house movement with a skeletonized components allowing a clear view of the beating balance assembly, and giving it the name Heart Beat. Since then the Heart Beat has evolved into four distinct calibres including the automatic-winding moon phase version that is featured in the video below.
Nicholas G. Hayek, Champion of the Swiss Watch Industry and Founder of Swatch Dies
2010 June 29
Nicholas G. Hayek was often referred to as the man who saved the Swiss watch industry. By consolidating some of the most important brands and founding Swatch to marry mass production with Swiss quality manufacturing he thwarted the negative effects that the advent of inexpensive, Japanese quartz watches were having on the Swiss manufacturers. Mr. Hayek was 82 on June 28th, when he died suddenly. His larger-than-life personality and hands-on business attitude will surely be missed by his colleagues.
Zenith El-Primero Duo - Reviews of Two Luxurious Watches
2010 June 28
In the world of watchmaking, there are a select few movements that become legendary in themselves. These movements can become examples of the heights of the watchmaking tradition, or perhaps simply an example of good rugged engineering. The Zenith El Primero has become one of those movements - for its quality, innovation, and its rugged design - a rare example of when a movement becomes more famous than the watch it came in. Here at Matt Baily we have two excellent examples of the El Primero's versatility - a diamond-adorned ladies open-heart model with power reserve indicator, and an elegant but delightfully complicated men's model with triple-date, moonphase, and chronograph functions.
Alpina Official Timekeeper 12 Hours of Sebring 2010 Limited Edition
2010 February 02
Now in its second year of collaboration with the exciting endurance race, Alpina is celebrating this year's event with a new, limited edition, chronograph watch. The Official Timekeeper 12 Hours of Sebring 2010 commemorates the 58th anniversary of the race, which attracts over 150 000 spectators every year and kicks off the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season. The decisively sporty allure of this new limited edition of 158 pieces will appeal to motor-racing fans thanks to its themed styling and specifically selected features.
Hamilton X-Mach - A Modern Tribute to Aviation and Speed
2010 January 26
What kind of "American Brand" would Hamilton be if it did not obsess with aeroplanes and speed? The company has an entire family of watches that are dedicated to flight, containing some popular models like the X-Wind and X-Copter. The newest addition to the Aviation family of watches is the X-Mach; able to calculate your Mach number (how fast you are going relevant to the speed of sound). I would love to hear stories of individuals putting this function to the test in real life while I will be content to measure what Mach number I am able to reach on my flight simulator.
