Nico Bandl

This article is going to take a little trip back into the past. We are going to head back about 40 years – more specifically, to the year 1972. An excellent designer by the name of Gerald Genta had just made a name for himself in the watch industry. Almost overnight, he had dreamt up…

This story begins with a personal anecdote, which at first doesn't appear to have anything to do with Tissot's new Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80. My Seastar from the 1960s is a vintage dress watch. It is so simple and so elegant that actually, I only wear it for important occasions. Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic…

During our last conversation about six months ago, Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué surprised us with his ambitious intention to launch a 100 percent recycled mechanical watch. Now, shortly prior to the unveiling of the brand's latest pieces at Watches & Wonders 2021, we caught up with him once again. There was one key question to…

Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is one of those models whose true character only comes to light at second or third glance. This also explains why, upon its launch in 2019, the collection didn't exactly get off to a smooth start. Far too many jumped the gun, without giving the newcomer the chance to introduce…

Green is known as the embodiment of hope. It is the colour of the first lush leaves and grass to shoot up in spring. It stands for better times and a prosperous harvest following the bleak winter months. Perhaps its symbolism provides an explanation as to why so many horology houses are choosing to introduce…

During our last conversation a couple of months ago, CEO Georges Kern could hardly keep his cool as, bursting with pride, he gushed over Breitling's 2021 novelties – without revealing anything, of course. As we are now finding out, his excitement was fully justified. This year, the Premier collection is extending to include six new…

While the production of mechanical watches is certainly a challenge in itself, the same can also be said for the timepieces’ after-sales servicing down the line. After all, although a manufacturer is responsible for quality during production, it is often difficult to control who tampers with a watch in need of repair or maintenance later…

There is good reason behind us dedicating an article to the 5960. For one thing, it was the very first model from Patek Philippe to combine an annual calendar with a chronograph. Secondly, despite the fact that it is indeed somewhat the odd one out, it’s ultimately a much sportier piece than any other calendar…

Florentine watch brand Panerai’s Submersible models first surfaced in the late 90s. For more than two decades, however, the timepiece overshadowing it was Panerai's original diving watch, the Luminor. Since 2019, the Submersible has increasingly distinguished itself as a line in its own right. Now, for the first time, the new Submersible Goldtech Orocarbo PAM01070 combines two Panerai-developed materials into one watch:…

The transformation of Breitling over the past three years is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting recent developments in the watch industry. In the spotlight is CEO and co-owner Georges Kern, who both initiated and is responsible for his brand’s transformation. Major expansion plans were also put into place for 2020, with a…

A near-fatal diving accident is responsible for Swiss watch manufacture Blancpain’s significant contribution to the mechanical diving watch. While other major players such as Rolex, Omega, and Panerai have also earned themselves a certain reputation in this area of expertise, Blancpain can lay claim to having developed decisive features as early as the 1950s with…

The rattrapante function, or drag pointer, enjoys a certain level of prestige at A. Lange & Söhne. It comes in every variation you can imagine: Double-Split, Triple-Split, combined with perpetual calendar, Tourbograph Perpetual with tourbillon, chronograph and perpetual calendar, or even in A. Lange's Grand Complication, with large and small chimes, minute repeater, perpetual calendar…