The Covid-19 pandemic is still making it difficult for a lot of people to travel, either for business or leisure. Travel restrictions change on an almost daily basis, proving it to be challenging even to plan a trip to countries you are currently permitted to go. Staycations are the new normal. The following four watches where made for globetrotters, but can now be used to imitate that vacation feeling closer to home

While tradition is cherished within Japanese tradition, they always use it as an inspiration for the future. This is all the more true for Grand Seiko, which is celebrating this year its 60th anniversary. The brand is not resting on its laurels because of this but uses this special occasion to show how far they have come in the last six decades, and their ambition to go even further. The new Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT 60th Anniversary Limited Edition is the perfect example of this.

An important moment in the history of Richard Mille, as with the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph, they launch the brands' first chronograph with it made entirely in its workshops in the Swiss town of Les Breuleux. It is a technical masterpiece that comes with quite a few novel features. While it does feature a traditional column wheel, it lacks a vertical clutch. Instead, it uses two oscillating pinions to transfer power to the chronograph. This comes with considerable advantages. One of them is that even when the chronograph runs, it has hardly a negative effect on the overall power reserve. Secondly, does this construction also require much less space. The height of the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph can, therefore, be kept under 12mm, at a very impressive 11.68mm.

Bulgari has gathered quite an impressive collection of world-records when it comes to ultra-thin watches, and last week in Geneva they added another one. The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic is with a thickness of 7.4mm by far the thinnest watch of its kind ever made. The movement itself measures only 3.5mm, yet it still sports a superb finish on all levels and is even fitted with a column-wheel and vertical clutch. Because of the advanced skeletonization of the movement, all these parts can be admired in full.

Sometimes the most common colors can have a very powerful impact when used in a watch. This is most certainly the case with the two new Defy models that Zenith just introduced. Both the Defy Classic and the Defy 21 are made in black and white and look more expressive than ever.

Partnerships are part of Hublot's DNA, and many of them are continuing adventures in which they explore what hasn't done before in watchmaking. This is also the case with the partnership that they have with Maxime Plescia-Büchi, the Swiss tattoo artist and founder of Sang Bleu. When his signature designs are transformed in watches, they become tattoos that not only you can take off, but which also tell time.

While no official standards are indicating when a watch can be called (ultra-)thin, it is reasonably easy to pass your judgment about it. The heights of both the movement and the watch itself are common knowledge for most watches, and can therefore be compared to the record-holders in a specific category. Especially in recent years thin movements, and watches, have become en vogue again, as many people realized that in a sense they represent the nec plus ultra of the watch industry. Watches like the Bulgari Octo Finissimo also showed that it is not only classic dress watches that can benefit from this. Even the cool-factor of a modern-looking watch for every day, and every occasion, increases significantly when powered by an ultra-thin movement. Leave it to the following four watches to that thin is in.

The Swiss not only know how to make watches, they also know how to sail. Alinghi has been most successful at it, winning the America's Cup, one of the world's most demanding sailing competitions, not once but twice. These are not their only achievements as they have on their mantle eight D35 Trophies, won the Bol d'Or seven times, and were victorious in four Extreme Sailing Series championships. Since 2019 Omega is their timing partner, which they now celebrate with a watch. This is not a Seamaster as one would expect, but surprisingly a Speedmaster.

The summer of 2020 looks for many people quite different than what they had imagined. We are used to visiting exotic places far away from home, yet now many of us are forced to find sites for relaxing and recreation closer to home. Hublot is, however, determined to keep the summer vibes alive with their new Big Bang Unico Sky Blue.

The chronograph is among the most popular complications. Many of them have reached the status of being an icon, often for very different reasons. As there are so many chronographs to choose from, here is a short-list of four that any serious watch collector should consider adding to its collection.

With the cancelation of Baselworld, it could have very well been a year in which Patek Philippe wouldn't launch a single new watch. However, that is fortunately not the case, as they introduce not one, but three new grand complications. While some are varieties on already existing watches, they all bring something new to the table that makes them very desirable.

Hublot is setting the next step in the evolution of the 'Art of Fusion.' In collaboration with Fiat heir, style icon and entrepreneur Lapo Elkann, and his Garage Italia, the place in Milan where the world of automotive meets that of fashion and design. It is not the first time that they work together as Elkann has also been involved in creating the Classic Fusion Italia Independent, along with top tailor Rubinacci, as well as the charismatic Classic Fusion Chronograph for his own brand. Now they debut the Big Bang Millennial Pink, which is created to be a gender-neutral watch.

Time flies when having fun, as it is hard to believe that TAG Heuer is already into the third-generation of their Connected watch. After since it was first introduced, it quickly became a benchmark for the industry. Not only because of its practical use and intuitive controls but also because the watch itself can be very easily customized to meet your own style. In regards to this, TAG Heuer has ever further up their game with the introduction of new models, interchangeable straps, and some new watch faces to welcome the summer.

A new model by Richard Mille is always exciting but gets even more impressive when the brand makes it in entirely new material. Grey Cermet, as it is called, is as light as titanium and yet almost as hard as a diamond. It took Richard Mille, working closely together with the IMI Group, years to develop this material. It consists of a metallic zirconium matrix with ceramic inserted in it. As these are very different elements, combining them in a single material was particularly challenging. Especially since the use of nickel and cobalt, often used to combine these materials in a homogeneous matter, was not an option as they wanted to conform themselves to the REACH Standards. This ensures safety in production and the use of chemicals in the European industry.

The meteorological summer has begun, so it is officially time to take in again the joys that this season has to offer. Short sleeves are more often than not, what we wear during this time of year, putting more of an emphasis on the watches that we are wearing. Here are four sports watches that are perfect for welcoming the warmest season of the year.

The Ref.1463 is a charming chronograph that Patek Philippe first introduced in 1940, and of which it made the last models in the late 1960s. With a diameter of 35mm is it small by today's standards, but considered quite sportive when conceived. This is also confirmed by the fact that Patek Philippe gave this reference a water-resistant case. It is also the only vintage chronograph model by the brand, featuring round pushers for the chronograph function.