No caseback images available for now, but we can expect the perspective of this motion by means of a sapphire crystal window to be similar if not exactly the like the SBGJ005 out of 2014. As a way to further distinguish the model’s limited-edition character, aside from being more vibrant than its white and black dialed siblings, the SBGJ005 had an unusual titanium strand with an “anodic oxidized finish” that kind of looks like metal. Subsequent limited variant versions, such as the Grand Seiko Watch Quartz Identification Hi-Beat 36000 GMT SBGJ021, also had an interesting treatment for its skeletonized rotor.Unchanged out of 2014, the 100m water-resistant steel case is 40mm wide, and Seiko says it’s based on the 44GS design from 1967 as a “modern re-interpretation.” A thickness of 14.4mm must help give this otherwise pretty moderately sized watch a little more presence on the wrist. The brand guarantees that its “zaratsu” method means distortion-free surfaces for the polished parts of the case and those strong- and sharp-looking hands. The sapphire crystal is curved on both sides, as this also minimizes distortions, with anti-reflective coating — Seiko even calls its crystal “high definition. “When a green dial watch is seen as too niche and only has to be a limited edition, I hope Seiko retains creating more iterations of this SBGJ005 like this SBGJ227… until I could one day afford to spring for this. The new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT Limited Edition SBGJ227 is a step towards this with a lower cost and greater production. Being slightly less “exclusive” may create owners of their SBGJ005 feel much better about having paid more. Retail cost in the US is $6,500 and the watch is limited to 700 pieces — whereas the SBGJ005 from 2014 had a cost of $7,250 and was limited to 600 pieces.

Watches from the Richemont stable continue to dominate the top read posts for February. This month, we have the new and very “petite” (relatively speaking, of course) 38mm Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new Polaris watches. Breitling’s new Navitimer 8 collection, the first to be released under its new CEO Georges Kern, was also one of the most popular posts of the month. And finally, we have a discussion about the differences between a minimalist watch and a simple watch.

From around the Internet, we have a handy traveling guide for watch lovers in Japan. We also read an interview with Rolex collector and dealer Eric Ku, who talks about his experiences collecting Rolexes and other watches. And, if you’re intrigued after reading about our Navitimer 8 coverage, Breitling CEO Georges Kern discusses what the “legendary future” campaign is all about.

1. Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic 38mm Hands-On

Panerai has always been criticized for making watches that are far too large for regular guys and gals to wear. To be fair, Panerai has experimented with smaller watches in the past. Paneristis will probably remember the PAM 337, a 42mm Radiomir that was outfitted with the ultra-thin (only 3.4mm!) P.999 caliber. Now, there’s an even smaller Panerai watch and that’s the Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic in 38mm. The Luminor Due is home to Panerai’s family of thinner cases, but 38mm is uncharted waters for Panerai. Will it be well received? It’s hard to say but we can have a good look at it here.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

2. Orient Bambino Small Seconds (SS) Review: The Best Affordable Dress Watch Just Got Better

If you are looking for an affordable dressy watch, the Orient Bambino is a great starting point. Over the past few years, Orient has come up with numerous versions of the Bambino – there are colored dials and there are even dials with a Bauhaus-inspired design. The newest version, however, has many claiming that it is the best yet. The Bambino is now available with a small seconds dial. It’s an attractive look, but I’m not so sure about that date window. If there was ever a watch that would be improved by removing the date window, I think this should be it.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

3. The Difference Between Minimalist Watches And Ones That Are Just Plain Simple

The terms ‘minimalist’ and ‘simple’ are often used interchangeably by watch brands in their marketing materials. But if you really think about it, minimalist and simple are actually different things. Minimalist is derived from minimalism, a philosophy in design where subjects are reduced to their most necessary elements. Simple, on the other hand, refers to something that is plain, straightforward, and uncomplicated. This isn’t just us nitpicking, but we need to be clear on such things because minimalist watches, especially good ones, are examples of good design that need to be celebrated. In this article, we thoroughly explain the difference between the two.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

4. Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic Hands-On

The big news from Jaeger-LeCoultre at SIHH 2018 was their new Polaris collection. The Memovox Polaris from 1968 is one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most recognizable watches, so it makes sense to use it as inspiration for a new lineup of watches. There are two simple three-handers – one with a date and the other without – and we will be taking a closer look at them here. The Polaris Automatic is the no-date three-hander and, to me, it is the more aesthetically pleasing of the two. The Polaris Date is also a three-hander but it has a date window at 3 o’clock. To be honest, the date window is quite unobtrusive, but the no-date version just looks more harmonious to me. Have a closer look at them by hitting the link below.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

5. New Breitling Navitimer 8 Watch Collection

One of the biggest developments in the watch industry last year was the sale of Breitling to Europe’s largest private equity firm CVC Capital Partners. This was followed shortly by news of Georges Kern resigning from his role at Richemont to become the CEO of Breitling. And now, Breitling has released their first new watches under the leadership of Mr. Kern. This is the new Breitling Navitimer 8 collection, which has vintage-inspired looks and was named after Breitling’s Huit Aviation department. Huit is French for 8 and the department was set up in the late ’30s to make aircraft instruments.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

6. Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Special Edition SBGH263 Watch

Last year, Grand Seiko announced that it would be operating as a brand independent of Seiko. And with Baselworld just weeks away, it has unveiled a new special edition watch. This is the SBGH263 and Grand Seiko enthusiasts will immediately know that it’s a little special because of the use of Arabic numeral hour markers on the dial. There hasn’t been that many Grand Seiko watches with Arabic numeral hour markers. The dial is special too as it is an off-white color that is intended to mimic Japanese silk. Finally, the movement within is Grand Seiko’s hi-beat caliber 9S85, which beats at 5Hz.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

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