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 New BR 03 GYROCOMPASS

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

This is the latest offering from Bell & Ross, the BR 03 Gyrocompass. 

A limited edition of 999 pieces, it is based on the now legendary BR 03 platform.

The case is of matte black ceramic, and measures 41 mm in width. 10,60 mm thick.The movement is noted as Calibre BR-CAL.302, which is automatic.

Priced at $4,500, available in select retail outlets or direct from Bell & Ross. Here are the pertinents -

Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical. 

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date. 

Case: 41 mm in width. 10,60 mm thick. Matte black ceramic. 

Dial: black. Cardinal points and triangle-shaped indices coated with green Super-LumiNova®. Black flange with white coated minute track.

Water-resistance: 100 meters.

Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating. 

Strap: black rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric.  

Buckle: pin. Steel with black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish.

Bringing It All Back Home - the BR 03 Updated

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Now to be fair, this is but just one of the examples of the revamped Bell & Ross BR 03 that was recently announced. And in truth? It's my favorite iteration of the 03 series, proving that sometimes? Less is more!

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

For this latest version, the case size has been reduced to 41 mm. The movement is listed as the latest-generation BR CAL.302 calibre which provides an impressive 54 hours of power reserve.

For this particular version - Black Steel, the asking price is $3,600 in the US.

The Augsburg Polar 42 and Aachen Polar 42

From Laco -

Courtesy of Laco

Laco announced the release of these two new white dialed fliegers yesterday.  Above is the Augsburg Polar 42.  It is equipped with either a Laco 25 or Laco 31 movement. I did try a quick dive (very quick, didn't even get my fingers damp) to try and ascertain just what exactly these movements were. So apologies in advance, but there we are.

Below is the Aachen Polar 42 -

Courtesy of Laco

Limited to 250 pieces of each version, these "Polar Pilots" are priced at:

€ 440,00

The Chronofighter Vintage Aviator DLC White & Red

From Graham -

Courtesy of Graham

These two limited editions are the latest entries to the Chronofighter "Squadron", helping Graham celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Chronofighter.

First up is the Chronofighter Vintage - DLC Red Limited Edition -

Courtesy of Graham

Functions:
Chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes counter) Day-date at 9 o’clock
Hours, minutes, seconds


Calibre:
G1747, automatic chronograph 28’800 A/h (4Hz)
Incabloc shock absorber
25 jewels
Power reserve: 48 hours
Movement certification Chronofiable® (improved shock absorption)


Case:
44 mm, Black DLC coating (matte)
Black matte DLC fast-action start/stop trigger and reset pusher 

Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both sides 

See through red smoked sapphire crystal


Bezel:
Black DLC bezel (matte)


Water resistance:
330 feet / 100 m / 10 bar


Dial:
Black grained dial
Rhodium-plated hands and red numerals featuring red luminescent treatment 

(Super-LumiNova Grade X1),
White and red counter hand
Chrono hand with red tip

Strap:
Hand-sewn black calf leather
Steel pin buckle (steel folding buckle available)

But as the title mentioned, it is also available in DLC White -

Courtesy of Graham

Functions:
Chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes counter) Day-date at 9 o’clock
Hours, minutes, seconds


Calibre:
G1747, automatic chronograph 28’800 A/h (4Hz)
Incabloc shock absorber
25 jewels
Power reserve: 48 hours
Movement certification Chronofiable® (improved shock absorption)


Case:
44 mm, Black DLC coating (matte)
Black matte DLC fast-action start/stop trigger and reset pusher 

Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both sides 

See through sapphire crystal


Bezel:
Black DLC bezel (matte)


Water resistance: 
330 feet / 100 m / 10 bar


Dial:

Off-white dial featuring luminescent treatment (Super-LumiNova Grade X1)
Black hands featuring white luminescent treatment (Super-LumiNova Grade X1) and black printing for numerals

Strap:
Hand-sewn black calf leather
Steel pin buckle (steel folding buckle available)

Heavy weather and the C8 Pilot

Okay, it is always a tricky matter to try and discuss bad weather with people who don't live in Santa Barbara.  This really is one of the most pleasant places on earth to live with sunshine being the norm, and people buried under snow tend to think you are a bit precious when complaining about the weather.

Having said that we have been (to some extent) literally underwater for nearly the past week.

The C8 Pilot has been flawless!  While the strap has gotten a touch damp (yes that is a gentle understatement), it has remained in fantastic shape with no discoloration, fading, etc.

This is more than I can say for my Barbour jacket which will need a heavy treatment of wax as the rain has been so constant that it has nearly worn off the last application.  Any readers out there in the Newcastle upon Tyne area with a line on a bargain priced coat, let me know - I will need to rotate them to have at least one "semi-dry" jacket!

But on to the watch itself - it has been in very damp and humid conditions - this is from someone who lived through two typhoon seasons in Japan and visited Vietnam during the rainy season - and no fogging, no mist - bright and clear and dry.  This was a great relief, particularly after a very large truck managed to splash a bath-tub full of water directly on me.  Clothes soaked, boots water-logged, the aforementioned Barbour coat as effective as a swimsuit.  The Christopher Ward C8 Pilot - a little damp, but just fine, thank you.

In reading various forums it is clear that there are some folks out there that feel a watch must have a screw-down crown to ensure any sort of water resistance, or that a screw-down crown is a sign of quality.  When you have a company taking the time to properly assemble a watch this is certainly NOT the situation.  The correct and appropriate use of gaskets and seals coupled with a well made, smoothly finished case will protect the watch from the normal (and lately here in California - downright biblical) daily events.  This is not to say that this is a diving watch by any stretch of the imagination.  But in terms of the pitfalls you might encounter on (semi) dry land, the C8 Pilot is a solid choice.

Oh - and the timing is holding steady - last two days a deviation of 6 seconds.