In the past two weeks, aBlogtoWatch reviewed two affordable dive watches that changed my mind about boutique dive watch brands. And the other end of the price spectrum, there’s Patek Philippe’s lovely new Gondolo 8 day watch; and we examine the differences between buying watches online as opposed to a brick and mortar retail shop. Speaking of buying watches, after-sales service is very important for luxury watch brands and I recently found out how Audemars Piguet takes care of its customers in Singapore.

1. Bell & Ross BR01-94 Pro Titanium Carbon Fiber Watch Review

To have a instantly recognizable design is one of the highest praisees a watch designer can have, and one cannot deny that Bell & Ross watches have a look that is distinctly theirs. The brand recently updated its BR01 Pro lineup to include this watch – the BR01-94 Pro Titanium Carbon Fiber – which combines two hardy materials, titanium and carbon fiber, to create a super sporty and durable sports chronograph.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

2. What I Learned Building A Watch With aBlogtoWatch At Frederique Constant

As a watch lover, I cannot think of anything more exciting than building my own watch. Unfortunately, learning how to build a watch is not quite the same as looking up YouTube and learning how to tie a tie. That said, one lucky reader recently got to build his own watch and with Frederique Constant no less! In this article, he recounts his adventure at Frederique Constant’s manufacture in Geneva, sharing just how difficult and intricate the craft of watchmaking is. I can only imagine his joy when he finally received the Slimline Moonphase Manufacture watch (only just released at Baselworld) he had built.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

3. Guide To Buying Watches Online Versus In Retail Stores

When it comes to buying watches, I have one cardinal rule: always see the watch in the flesh and try it on if possible. And that is why I almost always buy from a brick and mortar store. But that’s just me, I know of others who prefer buying online because it is often less expensive. If you are sitting on the fence, this article nicely summarizes the pros and cons of buying from a retail store and online.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

4. Patek Philippe 5200 Gondolo 8 Day Watch Hands-On

One of Patek Philippe’s new watches for 2013 is the Ref. 5200 Gondolo 8 Day. The Gondolo is actually one of the storied brand’s more recent collections, and this year, the Gondolo lineup received a huge update in the form of the new watch we see here. The Ref. 5200 Gondolo 8 Days brings with it a new in-house 8-day rectangular movement that has a day/date complication around the subsidiary seconds dial.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

5. Hexa K500 Watch Review

I cannot say I’m fond of boutique watchmakers. Yes, they are undeniably affordable, but many of them simply rebrand cases and dials from OEM makers in China or some other part of Asia and pass it off as something of their own. Hexa, however, is quite different. For starters, the Hexa K500 has a case unlike any other I have seen, and on top of that, the luminescent material used on their watches are sourced from lume specialists, Lüm-tec. Check out our detailed review of their new K500 dive watch.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

6. Benarus Moray 42 Dive Watch Review

It’s actually about time Corum returned the popular Bubble opinion – a timepiece collection that originally came out in the year 2000 and served a significant modern role in the new history. Eventually, the Corum Bubble watch collection was stopped, probably since Corum started to go a bit nuts with a few silly limited edition models – that, looking back now, are pretty damn cool. You may remember back in 2008, when aBlogtoWatch featured a group of limited edition Corum Bubble watches that were extremely fitting for Halloween. For Baselworld 2015, the Corum Bubble is back, and that I finally have reason to pay attention to this newest again.I recall a few years back meeting with Corum in Baselworld and asking about the Bubble and whether we could see one again. Someone sneered at me remarking that “we do not think that is ideal for the brand anymore. We’ve moved beyond that.” “Ok…” is all I could respond with, and we proceeded on to seeing more new variations of the Admirals Cup and Golden Bridge collection. I have always enjoyed Corum, but within the past couple of decades, the fun side of this brand seemed to be decreasing and being substituted with a lot of ill-conceived high-end watches that did nothing to function the image of their brand. Later, the brand decided to adhere double tourbillons into an Admiral’s Cup watch, and with their brand new ownership by China Haidian Holdings, I more or less assumed that the brand’s appeal for watch fans was (at least briefly) over. Actually, aside from some minor changes and a case size that has been improved to 47mm wide from 45mm wide, the 2015 Corum Bubble is very much like how it had been when Corum chose to stop it. Also, even though the instance is larger (and sounds really big) the Corum Bubble wears smaller than it is with snub lugs along with a situation that wraps round your wrist well. With that said, I am quite sure you can imagine that with a title such as the “Bubble,” this watch is thick. The sapphire crystal alone is 8mm thick and also the entire Corum Bubble watch is 18.8mm thick – but in a cool manner.

Benarus is renowned for its no-fuss design and imposing watches, and the 47mm Megalodon is arguably its most well-known offering. Apart from the Megalodon, Benarus also has the Moray and they recently released a 42mm version of it for people who desire for something a little more discreet and modest. Find out in our review if the Moray has lost any of its appeal in the midst of downsizing.

Source: aBlogtoWatch