The Replique Aviateur II

From Nivrel -

Courtesy of Nivrel

The case measures 40 mm in diameter and is of stainless steel.  The movement is ETA's 2824-2 automatic movement.  The dial is clear and extremely legible displaying hours, minutes and seconds.  

The Gavox Aurora - Why I Bought it

When you write a watch blog, even one that caters to a small readership such as Tempus Fugit, you get to test drive a lot of watches. And when you stop worrying about satisfying advertisers and stroking egos, you get to be honest.  This past spring I got to review the Gavox Aurora and to say that it made an impression on me would be a great understatement.

As I have said more than once, I am not a person driven by gadgets or the latest technical whimsy. I suspect whatever thirst for knowledge of the horological minutia of micro mechanics I might have once had got beaten out of me during my time at DOXA listening to armchair blowhards wax on about their superior knowledge (yes, that is sarcasm) of the fine points of the ETA 2824-2, or other sublime topics.

So the question is, what made such an impression on me?  Simple Complexity.  Yes, the Gavox Aurora has some pretty cool and sophisticated functionality, but all of the functions can be controlled even by a brain as "un nimble" as my own. 

But the other thing I really liked about about the Aurora was that it didn't just roll on its back like a faithful puppy waiting for you to rub its tummy.  No, if you wanted to check out or use the functions, you actually had to engage your brain, and the watch, by way of the crown/central pusher.  It makes the entire experience a bit more personalized, a WHOLE LOT MORE interactive.  It makes a complicated watch fun, without being an exercise in "haute behavior".  

So yes, this watch made a big impression on me, and hence I found myself in New York, cash in hand, to pick up my own and visit with Mr. Happe.

To a large extent, a watch is a watch is a watch.  And maybe it is just where I am emotionally, spiritually and intellectually in this world of watch fanatics of which I am a  member, but I want more than the latest innovation.  I want something that registers on a human, an emotional scale.

Something that provides a warm and fuzzy feeling.  And that is what the Aurora provides me.

When you find that special watch, well it is a love affair of sorts that you indulge in form the beginning of the day, until the sun sets.

So as the kitchen calls and I go to rattle a few pans to make dinner, remember that watches should be fun, as well as functional. The two are not mutually exclusive! So now I've got mine, and I am a happy guy!

I hope you find yours, whatever it is, or whoever makes it.

That's all for now - enjoy your watches!

The New Pilot 42 Handwound

From Archimede -

Courtesy of Archimede

Archimede announced the release of two new slightly smaller hand wound pilot watches in a more accessible 42 mm size.   Available in bronze (above), and in steel (below).  For the bronze model, here are the pertinents -

Courtesy of Archimede

 ICKLER Case

The high-quality case is manufactured by ICKLER in Pforzheim.

Bronze case (CuSn8), brushed, sapphire crystal with antireflective coating, screw down case back (stainless steel) with mineral crystal (optional: solid case back) Pilot's crown made of Bronze, waterresistant to 5 ATM diameter 42 mm, lug-to-lug length 51 mm

Movement
Hand wound movement Eta 6498, Swiss Made

Dial

Black, with luminous numerals and indexes
Blue hands with white luminous

Band

Black leather strap with Bronze rivets and Bronze buckle (wrist size: 18,5 - 22cm)

Delivery time

1 - 2 Weeks

And for the stainless steel model -

Courtesy of Archimede

 ICKLER Case

The high-quality case is manufactured by ICKLER in Pforzheim.

Brushed finish, sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides, screw down case back: with mineral crystal (optional: solid case back), pilot's crown, water resistant to 5 ATM, diameter 42 mm, lug-to-lug length 51 mm

Movement
Hand wound movement Eta 6498, Swiss Made

Dial

Black, with luminous numerals and indexes
Blue hands with white luminous

Band

Black leather strap with Bronze rivets and Bronze buckle (wrist size: 18,5 - 22cm)

Delivery time

1 - 2 Weeks

The New Startimer Pilot Automatic Chronograph

From Alpina -

Courtesy of Alpina

Available in three different dial color options in recognition of three different aviation enterprises.

Courtesy of Alpina

Air Force (black), Naval Aviation (blue) and bush pilots (green).  

44 mm stainless steel case, bi-compax chronograph.  Here are the pertinents -

Reference AL-725GR4S6

Courtesy of Alpina

Case

Stainless steel, 44 mm diameter Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
10 ATM/100m/3300ft water-resistant Engraved back-case
Screwed-in crown

Movement 

AL-725, automatic chronograph movement 25 jewels, 46 hours power reserve, 28,800/h 

Dial 

Green military matte dial with applied light beige luminous indexes Date window at 3’ o clock 

Strap 

Brown genuine leather strap

Functions 

Hours, minutes, seconds, mechanical chronograph, and date at 3 o’clock 

Reference AL-725B4S6

Courtesy of Alpina

Case

Stainless steel, 44 mm diameter Scratch-Resistant sapphire crystal 10 ATM/100m/3300ft water-resistant Engraved back-case

Screwed-in crown

Movement
AL-725, automatic chronograph movement 25 jewels, 46 hours power reserve, 28,800/h 

Dial 

Black matt dial with applied white luminous indexes Date window at 3’ o clock 

Strap 

Black genuine leather strap

Functions 

Hours, minutes, seconds, mechanical chronograph, and date at 3 o’clock 

Reference AL-725N4S6

Courtesy of Alpina

Case

Stainless steel, 44 mm diameter Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
10 ATM/100m/3300ft water-resistant Engraved back-case

Screwed-in crown 

Movement
AL-725, automatic chronograph movement 25 jewels, 46 hours power reserve, 28,800/h 

Dial
Navy blue matt dial with applied light beige luminous indexes Date window at 3’ o clock 

Strap
Brown genuine leather strap 

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, mechanical chronograph, and date at 3 o’clock