The Shellman Grand Complication Classic

And I said to myself:

おめでとうございます (congratulations), Henki!  I am now officially obsessed!

Courtesy of Shellman

So, I have known about Shellman since the jump, and in truth I didn't really pay it as much attention as it deserved. And that is solely down to the fact that it is a quartz watch. And it took a recent encounter with my mechanical moon phase, day, date chronograph to remind me of what a monumental pain in the ass it is to re-set ; )

So ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages, allow me to reintroduce the Shellman Grand Complication Classic.

Courtesy of Shellman

The Grand Complication Classic is, well, complicated ; )

But that's the point. But what it also underscores is that quartz isn't dumb. As has been said many times before, had quartz been available to Abraham Louis Breguet? He probably would have used it ; )

What is wonderful about this time machine, is that to some extent, you can pretty much "set it and forget it".

Now my Japanese isn't what it once was, Kasukabe was nearly 35 years ago now, but my understanding is that you can still purchase a Shellman Grand Complication from Shellman. But getting it shipped outside of Japan seems to be the tricky bit.

Per the website, the price is: ￥141,900

In the lower 48, that means you are looking at:

$890 US.

And I ask you - a watch that will be pretty much bang on time as it is quartz, has a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, moon phase, and a split-second chronograph for less than $1,000 yankee greenbacks?!? 

If you are now (like me) obsessed, here are the pertinents:

GRAND COMPLICATION CLASSIC

Product name	Shellman Grand Complication Classic
price	Classical: ¥141,900 (tax included)
size	Diameter 40mm, Thickness 13mm
weight	Approximately 70g (including belt and buckle)
Material	Body: Stainless steel; Crystal: Curved sapphire crystal
movement	Quartz movement Cal.6771 (accuracy ±20 seconds per month)
waterproof	Daily life waterproof
accessories	French Camille Fournet alligator strap (color: Marine) with Japanese-made stainless steel D-buckle.
Country of origin	The case, movement, and buckle are made in Japan, while the included strap is made in France.
battery life	Approximately 2 years (assuming the minute repeater is used for an average of 17 seconds per day and the chronograph is used for an average of 1 hour per day)
Warranty period	2-year warranty

The Edition Unitas 1Z Blue

From MeisterSinger -

Courtesy of MeisterSinger

This is an extension of the MeisterSinger Unitas Anniversary model, with a light blue enamel dial.

Limited to 25 pieces

Here are the pertinents -

Model	Edition Unitas 1Z (ED-Unitas-08E)
Movement	ETA/Unitas 6497, hand wound, power reserve 46 h
Case	Stainless steel, glass back, 5 bar waterresistance, sapphire glass
Diameter	40 mm
Dial	Genuine enamel, light blue
Hand	Heat-blued steel hand
Strap	Calf leather strap with crocodile embossing, Mahogany, double-folding clasp
Specialty	Limited to 25 pieces, genuine enamel dial, highly decorated Unitas movement, heat-blued steel hand
Origin	German watch brand; Swiss Made
Retail price*	6.990€
Availability	September

Seven Days with the H992 × Astro

Seven Days with the H992 × Astro -

Starts now.

Perhaps Just Under the Radar...the Eternal Way

From Tactum Solis -

Courtesy of Tactum Solis

The blog formerly known as Tempus Fugit, which morphed into Henki Time is a labor of love. It makes no money, actually costs me a fair bit of money and time, but I wouldn't trade it for a million Hodinkees ; )

And perhaps the best part about it is that I get to come in contact with new brands, and the dreamers who have willed them to life. That's why I was so happy to get an email from Vitaliy Khodanov, the person behind Tactum Solis -

Courtesy of Tactum Solis

While there are a handful of models currently available (limited to 15 each), my personal favorite is the Eternal Way -

Courtesy of Tactum Solis

It is described thusly:

                            Eternal Way 

Eternal Way is built around the idea that the outer universe and the inner path are equally infinite. Planets, trajectories and layered space are not decorative elements, but signs of movement through the unknown. The watch becomes a small cosmology. 

                       Edition of 15 pieces.

The watch is conceived in a sort of modular approach with the inner watch being removable from the main case.

Courtessy of Tactum Solis

I hope to go deeper on the entire Tactum Solis collection, and share a bit more of the "origin story" in future posts. But for now, here are the pertinents -

MOVEMENT 

Calibre DB6 manual-wind movement 

Diameter 36.6 mm Height 4.5 mm Frequency 3 Hz Power reserve 53 hours Jewels 17 Indication Small seconds at 6 o'clock 

Eternal Way Edition of 15 pieces

CASE AND CONSTRUCTION 

Case material Grade 5 titanium 

Central module 46 mm 

Outer frame 50 x 59 mm 

Overall height 15.5 mm Front crystal Sapphire, anti-reflective, 2.5 mm 

Back crystal Sapphire, 1.5 mm 

Water Resistance

Pressure-tested to 3 ATM 

DIAL AND MODULE MATERIALS 

Dial modules and details vary by edition and may include titanium, silver alloys, palladium alloys, 750 gold alloys and stainless steel. 

MODULAR SYSTEM One case accepts every Tactum Solis module. Owners may acquire a different central module separately and exchange it themselves using the dedicated tool supplied with every purchase.

Perhaps Just Under the Radar - the Confetti

From Ardath -

Courtesy of Ardath

Ardath's description of the Confetti pretty much sums it up:

A Swiss-made automatic watch, unconventionally small, unapologetically colorful. Seriously Fun.

The Confetti is a smaller than typical watch, measuring just 26 mm in diameter. The case is of stainless steel, and under the hood beats a Sellita self-winding (automatic) movmement.

Available in six different colors, there is clearly something for everyone ; )

The Confetti is priced at $990.00 US here in the lower 48, and available direct from Ardath.

The BR-05 GMT Green

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Priced at $5,800.

Here are the pertinents, straight from Bell & Ross -

Technical Specifications

Movement : Calibre BR-CAL.325-1. Automatic Mechanical Movement. 54-hour power reserve.

Functions : Hours, minutes, central seconds, date and second 24-hour time zone. Quick setting of the GMT hand, independently of the hour hand.

Case : 41 mm wide. 11 mm thick. Satin-finished and polished steel. Satin-finished rhodium-plated and green two-tone flange, with 24-hour scale. Screw-down crown. Crown guard. Sapphire case-back with 360° oscillating weight.

Dial : Green sunray. “Baignoire-style” polished, rhodium-plated applique indices and numerals filled with white Super-LumiNova® X1 (green glow). Skeletonised polished, rhodium-plated hour and minute hands and 24-hour hand, filled with white Super-LumiNova® X1 (green glow).

Crystal : Sapphire with anti-reflective coating.

Water resistance : 100 metres.

Strap : Green rubber or satin-finished and polished steel.

Buckle : Folding. Satin-finished and polished steel.

The Multifort 8 One Crown

 From Mido -

Courtesy of Mido

This is the latest member of the Multifort family.
The case measures 40 mm in diameter and is described by Mido as satin finished and polished stainless steel with black pvd coating.

Courtesy of Mido

The movement is the Mido Calibre 80 (based on the ETA C07). 

Courtesy of Mido

The strap is black rubber.
Priced at $1,150.00

The Circular S - Sun

From ID Genève -

                                              Courtesy of ID Genève

So point of information, when I was working on mandate with a brand in La Chaux-de-Fonds, we had investigated the possibility of sourcing watch cases from a firm that was recycling steel and titanium. I believe that this is the same foundry (or re-foundry?) that is being used by ID Genève. In the end the brand I was working with opted to stay with what they were using. But the idea truly intrigued me.

Fast forward five years and ID Genève and I came face to face on the second floor of the Time to Watches show in Geneva this past April, and I have to say that I was impressed with what they were doing. Which brings me back to the Circular S Sun -

Courtesy of ID Genève

There is a bigger, more important message about ID Genève, which I promise to get to. But for the moment, I am crushing pretty hard on the beauty of this watch - in particular the dial.

Courtesy of ID Genève

ID Genève is based on the idea of - and I am guessing I'm going to flub this - circular manufacturing. The cases are crafted from reclaimed steel. Per ID Genève:

ID Genève launches a new collection made from 100% REPROCESSED steel melted in a solar furnace and presenting a carbon footprint 165 times lower than the industry average.

Courtesy of ID Genève

The movements are not exactly recycled, but could certainly be considered upcycled:

Movement
Refurbished automatic movement sourced from unsold stocks
Swiss made ETA 2824, robust and easily reparable worldwide
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions:
Hour, minute and second in the center, Date at 3 o’clock

For those of us in the lower 48, there is currently 1 point of sale - Watches of Switzerland (according to the brand's website). Although a Google search turned up Mayor's who are listing a few ID Genève watches for sale on their site. Now for those of you just tuning in, Mayors is Watches of Switzerland...

At any rate, I have seen this beautiful watch in person, and it is something special.

 

The AQUASPHERE Matte Black

From Hanhart -

Courtesy of Hanhart

The case is of stainless steel and measures 42 mm in diameter and is rated to 300 meters (30 bars) of water resistance.

The movement is Sellita's SW 200-1.

Priced at $2.588

Square by Square

From Hanhart -

Courtesy of Hanhart

This is your chance to own a very unique, extremely limited Hanhart watch. Quite literally, a chance to own one of six (6) prototypes!

Courtesy of Hanhart

In Hanhart's own words -

A radically reimagined watch

Hanhart is breaking new ground. Created in collaboration with designer Marcus Wiedemann (Studio supercreative), the Square by Square was developed as an entry for the Dubai Watch Week x Grail Watch Design Competition in the category “Most Out-of-the-Box, Innovative Yet Viable Shaped Watch Design.”

Inspired by historic shaped watches from the Hanhart archives, it combines striking geometry, a layered dial, and a fresh interpretation of classic hands. The result is a watch that is both unmistakably distinctive and perfectly suited for everyday wear.

The Square by Square is limited to just six prototypes: three with a deep blue sunburst dial and three with a mother-of-pearl dial.

Courtesy of Hanhart

Whether this concept will eventually evolve into a regular production model remains undecided. Until then, these six prototypes are the only examples of this extraordinary design.

Courtesy of Hanhart

Inspired by the Past. Designed for the Future.

The design process began with the Hanhart archives. Historic case shapes, dial layouts, and typography served as inspiration, not as blueprints.

The classic rectangular watch case was reimagined step by step. Surfaces were reshaped, contours refined, and proportions reconsidered from every angle.

The design was influenced by concepts such as curved space-time and hyperbolic paraboloids, resulting in inward and outward curved surfaces that create a faceted yet highly wearable silhouette.

The result is a truly distinctive timepiece with roots in Hanhart’s heritage while representing a bold departure from the brand’s previous designs.

Numerals and hands. Refreshingly different.

Three prototypes feature a deep blue sunburst dial, while the other three are fitted with a mother-of-pearl dial. Both finishes interact beautifully with light, constantly changing their appearance.

A stepped rehaut adds depth to the dial. Applied numerals and indexes in a steel finish create a clean, technical look.

The hands are skeletonized, faceted, and polished. At 12 o’clock, their shapes align to form an elongated diamond.

Powering the watch is the automatic Sellita SW1000-1 b movement, operating at 4 Hz, with 18 jewels and a power reserve of approximately 46 hours.

The Square by Square brings together Hanhart’s archival heritage and a bold new design language in a watch limited to only six prototypes.

If you are interested in acquiring one of these six unique pieces, please contact us at info@hanhart.com.

Price: €1,890 (including 19% German VAT)

The 151 "Snoopy Flying Ace" in Grand Feu Enamel and Model 151 "Snoopy Flying Ace" Blue Sky

From RGM -

Courtesy of RGM

Roland and the team at RGM have once again made something that makes me smile! The 151 "Snoopy Flying Ace" is available in two versions - the Grand Feu Enamel (above), and the Blue Sky (below).

Courtesy of RGM

Let's start with the Grand Feu Enamel version.

Courtesy of RGM

It is true to its advertising! In their own words:

RGM Watch Company introduces the Model 151 Snoopy Flying Ace, a refined pilot-style timepiece. The watch features Snoopy in his iconic World War I Flying Ace persona, believed to be the first depiction of the character executed on a true grand feu enamel dial.

The grand feu enamel dial is produced through a demanding multi-stage firing process, where layers of enamel are applied and kiln-fired at high temperatures. This technique yields a glass enamel white surface with exceptional depth and permanence. The dial’s artwork—including Snoopy, his red doghouse, and surrounding clouds—are fired into the enamel, creating a miniature work of art. A light blue metal dial variant is also available, offering a more accessible interpretation of the design.

It is, truly beautiful. And if you are a Snoopy fan like yours truly? It becomes a bit of an obsession ; )

A bit more modest, but in my eyes just as wonderful, the "Snoopy Flying Ace" Blue Sky.

Courtesy of RGM

The dial is metal, but that in no way detracts from its wonderful impact. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I fall in love too easily...

Courtesy of RGM

White Grand Feu enamel $8950 in stainless steel or $9950 for the titanium version.

Matte light blue USD $3950 in stainless steel or $4950 for the titanium version.

Here are the pertinents:

Model 151

The 151 models have an American-made case in either stainless steel or titanium. Any stainless steel version can be polished, brushed, or a combination of both finishes. Titanium cases have a brushed finish only. The thin bezel and large dial are a hallmark of the 151 models; in fact, the dial is larger than watches of a much greater size. The case is thin for its diameter and curves comfortably to the wrist.

Movement Caliber: RGM- Sellita SW300-1 - Swiss-made automatic, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph. Rhodium finish - Côte de Geneve lines and perlage. 52 to 56-hour power reserve.

Functions: Hour / Minute / Second / Date on some models

Case: American-made 316L Stainless Steel or Grade 5, Titanium 6Al-4V, 38.5 mm x 9.9 mm. Sapphire crystal front and back, 20mm lug width, and water-resistant to 5-ATM. Case length from lug end to lug end: 48mm.

Weight: 2.0 oz. in stainless steel, 1.4 oz. in titanium.

The GMT Neon Series

From Bamford -

Courtesy of Bamford

This is the latest iteration of the Bamford GMT collection - Neon.

Available in five color ways: Aqua Blue, Electric Green, Sunset Orange, Neon Lime, and Hot Pink.

Priced at: £1,450.00

Here are the pertinents, straight from Bamford -

• TYPE: Automatic GMT watch with internal rotating bezel
• MOVEMENT: Sellita SW330-2, 25 Jewels, 28,800 Vph, 56 hour power reserve
• FUNCTION: Self winding mechanism with ball bearing, 3 O’Clock date position with quick date setting, second time zone by central hand
• CASE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel, Sapphire Crystal glass with antiglare
• CASE DIAMETER: 40 mm
• CASE THICKNESS: 11.7 mm
• CASEBACK MATERIAL: Steel
• WATER-RESISTANCE: 100m / 10 ATM
• LUG WIDTH: 20mm
• LUG TO LUG LENGTH: 46.5mm

SB04-E Nuances

This is the latest from Armand & Sartory Billard -

Courtesy of Sartory Billard

If I have read and understood the press release correctly, the SB04-E Nuances is reimagining the SB04 in Kodachrome color!

Available in blue, red, and green it is priced at EUR 3,600 excl. VAT on rubberEUR 3,800 excl. VAT on metal bracelet.

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source:

SB04-E Nuances
Reference:
SB04_ENUANBL
Case: Stainless steel, 39.5 mm, alternating polished and brushed finishes
Thickness: 10.2 mm
Lug-to-lug: 44 mm
Dial: Concave sunray dial with a fumé gradient, applied numerals and a polished chapter ring
Movement: Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101A automatic movement, 68-hour power reserve
Water resistance: 100 metres
Bracelet Options:
Matching Sartory-Billard rubber strap. Logo pin buckle.
Sartory-Billard stainless-steel bracelet with alternating brushed and polished links, equipped with quick-release pins for easy strap changes. ½ link for fine adjustment. 3-fold clasp.
Price:
EUR 3,600 excl. VAT on rubber
EUR 3,800 excl. VAT on metal bracelet

First deliveries: October 2026