Frederique Constant Renewing Its Manufacture Heartbeat

Frederique Constant Renewing Its Manufacture Heartbeat

News
One of the most remarkable stories in the wold of watch is that of the Frederique Constant Heartbeat! In 1994 the then very young brand, introduced the signature heartbeat dial to show off the mechanical movement in a more dramatic way on the front of the watch. It was an instant hit, that has been often imitated, yet never quite with the same refinement as Frederique Constant did it. Even when the story would have stopped just there, it would have been quite extraordinary, but it doesn't. While Frederique Constant actually started out making classical watches with third-party movements, in 2004 they introduced their very first manufacture movement! Of course what was more fitting then to put it into a heartbeat model? We are now a generous decade later, and…
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Alpina Introduces Alpiner GMT Business Timer

Alpina Introduces Alpiner GMT Business Timer

News
GMT watches are a Watchisthis?! favorite, so when Alpina announced the Alpiner GMT Business Timer this got our attention. Now, the Alpiner GMT already exists. It is part of Alpina's "4" collection. The principles of this collection date back to 1938 when Alpina founder Gottlieb Hauser introduced the first "Alpina 4". In order to handle the extreme conditions of all the Alpine sports, from high altitude mountain climbing to alpine lake diving, he set out four criteria to which all his watches needed to stand up to: Anti-shock Water-resistant Anti-magnetic Stainless steel The Alpined GMT meets them all, but is especially handy when you travel with the watch. Alpina redesigned the 24-hour ring, and indicated standard business hours on it in red. This makes it that when ever you are…
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Meet The New TAG-Heuer Link Ladies

Meet The New TAG-Heuer Link Ladies

News
The Link has become one of TAG-Heuer's iconic designs that even seduced Jason Bourne. On an everlasting quest to stay current the brand introduces the new Link Ladies.   It is actually hard to believe that the Link-collection was first introduced in 1987! That makes it almost three decades old, yet regular updates have kept the model still fresh. The new TAG-Heuer Link Ladies is no difference. It's design has been made a bit more abstract, and more in-line with the men's model. The design definitely very strong! It is very fresh and current, yet you still recognize the original link in the design. The case is 32mm which is a very nice size, and adds to the versatility of the watch. It can be comfortably worn on a daily…
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Latest Issue Watchisthis?! Magazine Out Now!

Latest Issue Watchisthis?! Magazine Out Now!

Magazine, News
Nothing gives us at Watchisthis?! more pleasure than the launch of a new issue of our magazine! With this issue we continue to explore the world of affordable watches for you, and uncover creative new micro-brands, as well as speak with the CEO's of the leading brands. [caption id="attachment_1679" align="aligncenter" width="900"] TAG-Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver[/caption] We talked with marketing-legend, and current TAG-Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver about the brand and smart-watches. We also talked with Jin Nonogami, who founded the innovate smart-watch brand Veldt Watches. Their insights contribute greatly to a better understanding of the way the market is changing! [caption id="attachment_1680" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The Porthole by Pheidippides watches[/caption] In this issue also a lot of micro-brands, from the very creative Pheidippides, the bronze cases of Regia, the unusual regulator of…
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Estonia 1918: Celebrating With A Special Watch

Estonia 1918: Celebrating With A Special Watch

News
Creating a watch is one thing, but doing so to commemorate the centennial anniversary of your country is a whole other thing. Yet that is exactly what Tõnis Leissoo did when he created the Wõitleja. This watch is limited to....you guessed it!...100 pieces! Such a celebration asks for a special watch and Leissoo seems to have no problem delivering just that! In a military inspired design, he created a watch that makes quite a visual impression. This is a direct reference to the war of independence that Estonia fought. Crafted from CuSn8 Bronze the case is 44mm in diameter and secured with special, titanium screws in all four corners. The craftsmanship on the case is of a ridiculous high level, and made in Estonia! Inside the watch ticks an upgraded…
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Moonphase And Manufacture: Frederique Constant’s Latest

Moonphase And Manufacture: Frederique Constant’s Latest

News
Yes, the only new thing on the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture is the dial. So why do we still feature it on Wathisthis?! Because it is the perfect example of how important such details are, and the impact that they have on the overall look. Yes it can even change the experience you have with a watch! Now, the Frederique Constant Moonphase Manufacture is already not a shabby watch to begin with. The word manufacture in its name already says it all. The automatic caliber that powers the watch, FC-705, is made completely in-house by Frederique Constant. At this price point, quite unique, especially since they didn't stop there. The FC-705 is cleverly designed and features for example a full bridge over the balance wheel for the best stability.…
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The Rado Ceramica Reborn (with interview designer)

The Rado Ceramica Reborn (with interview designer)

News
The Ceramica has always been an important watch for Rado. But even, or maybe especially, these watches need a refresher every once in a while. Rado trusted this to the capable hands of Konstantin Grcic, an industrial designer best known for his Chair_One design. The biggest change Grcic made on the new Ceramica was the use of matted High-Tech ceramics. It does indeed give the men's model a completely different look and feel, not to mention make it look far more masculine. Of the two models, the signature model is limited to 700 pieces, plus one for Grcic himself. Here the typography is making a difference. Grcic says that he was inspired by aviation watches, when he designed the dial. We can most certainly see that, and although it suits…
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Apple Is About To Launch The Apple Watch 2

Apple Is About To Launch The Apple Watch 2

News
The Apple watch is in trouble. Not that it is a bad product, but apparently it simply doesn't sell in the volumes that Apple was hoping for, or perhaps has gotten used to. The competition is fierce, and many are undercutting Apple's prices, like the Ticwatch 2 for example, while offering comparable or even better functions, leaving Apple in the dust. There are strong rumors that Apple will announce the Apple Watch II on September 7th, when they have scheduled another special event, which will be streamed world wide, and Apple is known to seize these opportunities to launch new products....like the Apple Watch 2. Of course it is very unlikely that Apple will wipe the slate clean. The design by Marc Newson is still very good, although the rest…
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Why Fake Watches Are For Losers

Why Fake Watches Are For Losers

Opinion
Who do you respect more? Someone with a Seiko 5 or someone with a fake Rolex? Perhaps a silly question, but think about it. Many will probably respect the person with the Rolex more, until they found out that its a fake. I am convinced that for many people who buy fake watches, this is exactly the reason why they do it. To gain respect based on something that is not real, and that is the hallmark of a loser. [caption id="attachment_1528" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie has been battling fake watches for years[/caption] Why? Well, first of all when people need to respect you based on the watch you wear, you must have a horrible personality! People that wear fake watches, say that they don't wear…
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The Importance Of The New Swatch Sistem51

The Importance Of The New Swatch Sistem51

News, Opinion
Swatch is one of those brands that seems to deliver when its parent company is struggling with difficult markets for its more high end brands. Unfortunately that time is also now, and that is why the latest addition to the Swatch line-up, the Sistem51 Irony, is probably more important than most people realize. The Sistem51 in steel is basically a watch many of us have been waiting for. Thanks to the very innovative movement, this is a Swatch that not only appeals to the brands regular consumer pool, but also to watch collectors who usually buy more upscale brands. People that normally wear an Omega, Tudor or Bell & Ross around the wrist, have often a hard time getting used to the feel of plastic on the wrist, so the…
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