There is no denying, blue is currently one of the hottest colors in watchmaking. Not as a fleeting trend, but as one of the new standard colors, next to silver and black. But there are watches with blue and blue watches. Chronoswiss shows that it is genuinely committed to this color with the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec, which takes being blue to a whole other level.

As the engines roared last weekend in France, at the 24-hours of Le Mans, TAG Heuer took the stage to launch a very special version of the Monaco. This model rose to fame, not in the least because it was on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the 1971 cult-classic 'Le Mans'. At an exclusive event, TAG Heuer treated their guests at a screening of this movie, at the place where it was made. Among them was Steve McQueen's son Chad McQueen, but also brand ambassador Patrick Dempsey, Formula E champion Jean-Éric Vergne and Derek Bell, who not only won Le Mans five times but also drove one of the cars in the movie.

What happens when you strip down a Breguet to its core? Take away everything that's not really necessary? Then you get the new Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395, which Breguet introduced earlier this month at their Swiss manufacture during #TimeToMove, the Swatch group's event where they launched the novelties from their top tier brands.

Chronoswiss has especially in recent years been a brand that unites the best of both worlds. On one side traditional craftsmanship is still a cornerstone of their DNA, but now they utilize this in a far more progressive way, cleverly playing into the trends of current times. The new Retrograde Fusion is a perfect example of this strategy.

In 2018 Bulgari smashed all thinness records with the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic. In one sweep it became not only the world's thinnest tourbillon but also the world's thinnest automatic tourbillon. That's not all, because perhaps its greatest accomplishment is that it also became the world's thinnest automatic watch. Up until now, this last record was usually held by watches that featured no additional complications, such as a tourbillon, because they tend to add to the height of a movement.

The Pilot collection from Zenith already contains watches that offer plenty of character. It is also for that reason that it remains a favorite among watch connoisseurs, with its characteristic crown and case. With the limited Pilot Type 20 Silver Zenith infuses its model with even more personality thanks to an unusual dial and a not so common material for the case.

Twenty years ago the J12 was introduced by Chanel, and it proved to be a trailblazing concept, uniting a sense for timeless fashion with that of ceramic. The power of this creation is that it provides you with an upscale, modern and sportive look, without overdoing it in any of these departments. A J12 is always instantly recognizable, while its owners also enjoy the benefits of its ceramic case and bracelet, as it is very light, scratch resistant and heats up to body temperature fast.

There is no denying that there is a natural appeal to the combination of a deep blue dial with a pink gold case. This color combination is now also an option for the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date, a classic dress watch with the added functionality of two retrograde complications.

Michel Parmigiani, the founding father of the brand that bears his name, started his career restoring watches. Over the years he has worked on the rarest and most amazing clocks, pocket- and wristwatches ever created. This has given him a great understanding of movements, decoration techniques as well as design. In 1997 he brought all this experience together, founded his brand and designed, build and launched the Toric.

There is no denying that there is something special about grand feu enamel. This classic material gives a watch a unique lustre, and every watch connoisseur is familiar with the skills needed to create such a dial. In general, white is the color of choice when brands craft such a dial, but Breguet now shows us the luscious seduction when you opt for blue instead.

Class pur sang, that is, and always has been the Piaget Altiplano. A refined case, which is so distinctly understated that connoisseurs immediately know that they are looking at something special, houses a movement that comes from a royal lineage of ultra-slim movements.

At Grand Seiko, there are no ordinary days, as each day is a strive to perfection. Ever since the brand was founded in 1960, its goal has been simple; create perfection and then perfect it some more. This has resulted over the years not only in extraordinary watches but also in advancements in the fields of mechanics and finishing.

At first glance, the Slim d'Hermes L'Heure Impatiente is your typical Hermes watch. Especially the font of the numerals and the shape of the lugs contribute to this unmistakable style. But on second glance: what are those indicators at the bottom of the dial, and why does it have not only an extra crown but also a pusher on the left side of the case? Because this Hermes comes with a very unique complication!

A good design goes a long way: this is common knowledge but what makes a good design is far more difficult to pin down. With the Portugieser has IWC had a very strong design ever since it was first created in the 1930s. Because the brand understands the subtleties of its design it has been able to create several varieties on the theme that are so strong that they individually all have benchmark-status. Take for example the Portugieser Chronograph, the automatic, or the perpetual calendar.

In the world of Roger Dubuis, only the best is good enough. This also becomes clear when you look at the 'Velvet,' their collection of ladies watches. They are as rich as the fabric that inspired its name, combining exquisite craftsmanship, eye for detail as well as a superb movement, all in an original design.

As a brand, having an icon in your collection can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. While icons will generate interest and revenues, there will always be a point in which you need to move into the future, preferably with your icon, but changing it is still a very sensitive task. This was also a challenge that Chronoswiss faced with their Regulator.