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Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style

Field watches? They’re cool. Inspired by models of the past issued for military forces, they are legible, robust, made for outdoor activities and have a true no-nonsense feeling that makes them appealing. Seiko 5 Sports watches? They’re cool too. Robust, loyal, honest mechanical watches that won’t let you down. Nothing fancy, just accessible models that do the job perfectly. Seiko 5 Sports Field watches? Well, obviously they’re cool too, and if you want to see why, check out this article… But there’s something with field watches that is sort of mandatory to me… they need to be compact. And the Japanese watchmaker has done just that, with the new 36mm Seiko 5 Sports Mid-Field Collection, with three new references (SRPJ81, SRPJ83 and SRPJ85) that seem to be spot on.

The Seiko 5 Sports collection was revamped in 2019 with a complete new range of watches, which at first, felt like reviving the praised style of the SKX007 series. Looking like dive watches (without being actual dive watches), equipped with a rotating bezel, available in dozens of colours, powered by the most mundane automatic movement of the brand – which doesn’t make it a bad movement at all – and fairly accessible. Yes, there has been some criticism, but overall, quite a successful revamp of the Seiko 5 name.

It didn’t take long for Seiko to bring back another much-loved style of the old Seiko 5 series, the simple and bezel-less field watch – which many have known under the reference SNK809. The recipe was simple: take the case of the other Seiko 5 Sports watches, remove the rotating bezel and place a smooth bezel instead, design a dial with a matte background, large Arabic numerals, a 24-hour military-like scale and apply lots of lume on the hands and markers… and voila, you have a field watch with robust specs and an accessible price. In a 39.4mm case. And while there’s nothing wrong with this size, I personally tend to prefer field watches to be even more compact. Think about the Hamilton W10 or the Timor Heritage, both around 36mm in diameter, as my benchmark models for a cool field watch.

Seiko is giving us just that… With the new Seiko 5 Sports Mid-Field models. Three watches, three different interpretations of the same concept, and a case that has been reduced by 3mm to now 36.4mm in diameter. Sounds spot on, right? The rest of the dimensions are in the same vein: 12.5mm in height (not the thinnest, objectively) and 44.4mm lug-to-lug, which sounds like the promise of great comfort and a cool vintage look on the wrist. The rest of the specs of these new SRPJ81, SRPJ83 and SRPJ85 don’t change much compared to the larger version, with a classic, unprotected crown at 3 o’clock, a screwed caseback with see-through crystal, a Hardlex (mineral) crystal on top and a reassuring 100m water-resistance.

The dials… Nothing really new here either, with just a day-date window that sits closer to the edge of the dial. Otherwise, it’s all identical to the larger SRPG27 model. Available in black with white lume (SRPJ81), black with beige lume (SRPJ85) and sand with black accents (SRPJ83), all dials have a matte, slightly grained texture, large Arabic numerals, a military-like 24-hour scale and hands and hour markers that are coated with LumiBrite. Simple, legible, straightforward… All you need in a field watch – even though I would get rid of the day-date function.

Inside the case, no surprises. As with all watches from the collection, the new 36mm Seiko 5 Sports Mid-Field watches are powered by the all-time classic calibre 4R36, an automatic entry-level movement that has proven its reliability. Not the most precise on paper, it beats at 3Hz, stores 41 hours of power reserve and features a hacking second. As for the strap, two of the models are worn on nylon NATO-like straps in beige (SRPJ83) or green (SRPJ85) – military style obliges – or a 3-link steel bracelet with a folding clasp (SRPJ81) – just like the bigger brother, but with an 18mm lug width.

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Bell and Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden

When launched in 2019, the Bell & Ross BR 05 collection was, without a doubt, the most important release of the brand since the presentation of the emblematic BR 01 – the watch that defined the brand’s style, the circle within a square. While most of the previous collections were focused on military and aviation inspirations, the BR 05 steered the brand into luxury sports watch territories with a far more urban vocation. Since then, we’ve seen multiple iterations with a chronograph, a GMT or a bolder experimental style. A recurring theme of the BR 05 collection has been the skeleton watch, which today comes in a new colour with a steel case and a golden dial.

The Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton has now become a classic within the collection, with several takes on the same concept. Following the inaugural model of 2019, with a grey dial, the brand brought limited editions in blue, in black with lume contrast, in a high-end full gold edition, and in 2022 in green. Without changing the concept, it is now back in a new tone, a gold-coloured dial contrasting with a steel case.

The recipe is the same as before. The BR 05 Skeleton shares its case with the classic time-and-date version of this rather unique luxury sports watch, meaning a rounded square case with a multi-step dsign and a raised bezel featuring the brand’s four signature screws. Brushed on most surfaces, with nicely executed polished bevels for a dynamic look, the case measures 40mm across and has a reasonable height of 10mm. The skeleton movement doesn’t alter other elements, and the crown still screws down, is inserted between lateral guards and guarantees a water-resistance of 100m.

What’s new this year is the colour scheme of the dial. While gold has been used in the past in this reference, this was in a solid gold model with a dial and a movement tinted in gold. The style is a bit different here. First, the gold colour contrasts with the cold steel case. Only the flange, hands and markers are coated in gold. However, the movement underneath is still rhodium-plated, but the sapphire dial is tinted in a translucent gold colour. The rest remains identical to other editions of the BR 05 Skeleton, with a dynamic and modern take on the skeleton movement.

Talking about mechanics, this new BR 05 Skeleton Golden relies on the calibre BR-CAL.322, a movement specific to Bell & Ross that is based on the architecture of the Sellita SW300. The back shows a 360° rotor and a matte decoration. The movement beats at 4Hz and stores about 40 hours of power reserve.

The new Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden is released as a limited edition of 500 pieces, available either with an integrated stainless steel bracelet, with a folding clasp or a striped brown rubber strap, also with a folding clasp. Available now for pre-order with deliveries in March 2023

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TAG Heuer Formula 1 BA0493

From my personal collection:A new old stock: TAG Heuer Formula One F1 Quartz 1/10th Chronograph, model no.: CA1213.BA0493, the serial number is also present.

A highly collectible watch for the TAG Heuer F1 enthousiast/ collector/ museum!

Some features are: Yellow dial, high-precision quartz movement ETA 251.262 which controls five separate micromotors, a screw-in crown for a water-resistance to 200m (660ft), watchcase cut from a stainless steel block,scratch resistant sapphirre crystal and Superluminova painted hands and pointer on the bezel.

There might be some marks that I haven’t seen myself (for instance from keeping it in the safe), there is to be honest some metal visible where the clasp-holder runs around the clasp, which is inevitable. That’s it!

Just fully cleaned and serviced including a new fresh Renata battery and all new gaskets (all parts come with the watch that were replaced).

It is fully water resistant (tested at 3 bar) and comes in it’s original TAG Heuer boxset with the instruction/ guarantee books and original guarantee card (stamped by Francois Dupont Jewelers), TAG Heuer shop -tag and two extra links for the bracelet(making it total 8inch/20.5 cm wristsize). Many longtime watch collectors will tell you that their first “nice” watch was “a TAG” — or that their first watch obsession was a vintage Heuer. With strong motorsport associations and a number of bonafide icons, TAG Heuer replica is especially known for chronographs, and it’s a giant in the watchmaking world. It’s a brand with a history worth exploring and a modern collection worth dissecting — whether you’re a collector or in the market for a first “nice” watch.

In 1860, long before Techniques d’Avant-Garde (TAG) purchased a majority stake in the company (which was subsequently gobbled up by the LVMH Group), Edouard Heuer set up his eponymous watch manufacturing company in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Soon after, he was patenting unique mechanisms, some of which still operate in many mechanical wristwatches today. However, Heuer was most famous for making chronographs, starting with dashboard clocks used in both cars and planes. Then, in 1914, Heuer offered their first wrist-worn chronograph.

By the 1960s, Tag Heuer Formula 1 watches were so thoroughly enmeshed with auto racing that it’s hard to find a photograph of Tag Heuer Formula 1, Indy, or GT racing from that era in which their logo isn’t visible. Specifically, Heuer Autavia and Carrera chronographs were de rigueur among drivers. When Steve McQueen sported a square Heuer Monaco during his all-too-short racing career, both man and watch were immortalized in photographs that have become enduring templates for men’s fashion. McQueen’s 1971 film, LeMans, endowed Heuer’s racing pedigree with a dose of Hollywood’s ineffable mystique.

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TAG Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Chronograph BT0714

Are you a serious athlete?  TAG Heuer Men’s CAH1110.BT0714 TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Quartz Watch is the watch for you.   TAG Heuer has a stellar reputation when it comes to innovation and precision.  The company was the FIRST to create a stopwatch accurate to 1/100 of a second, the FIRST dashboard stopwatch for race cars, and the FIRST miniature electronic timekeeping device accurate to 1/1000th of a second.  Why not put your athletic timing goals in the hands of a company known for its supreme accuracy and gold-standard precision?

The TAG Heuer Men’s CAH1110.BT0714 TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Quartz Watch has an easy-to-read 41mm wide (1.61-inch) stainless steel watch case that is accented by a sporty titanium unidirectional bezel.  The dial allows the athlete to tell time easily with its printed large, silver-tone Arabic numerals in increments of five.

The scratch resistant dial is black with silver-toned time indicators.  There are three subdials and a convenient date window between the 3 and 4 o’clock position for an optimum time-telling experience.  The sporty rubber strap is a huge plus for the active athletic type.  In addition, this timepiece is built with Swiss quartz movement and has an impressive water resistance level of 200 meters (660 feet).  Now you can scuba dive in true Tag Heuer style.  These features along with the watch’s obvious sporty design make the CAH1110.BT0714 ideal for any athlete.

Just so you are in the know, TAG Heuer maintains a close association with the world of competitive sports and enjoys a devoted following among sports celebrities and enthusiasts. It is no surprise that the leader of America relies on TAG Heuer for his time-telling needs. (See image on right of President Obama wearing a classic TAG Heuer timepiece) You can find the TAG Heuer Men’s CAH1110.BT0714 TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Quartz Watch on perfectchrono.co for $200.  The manufacturer’s listing price is $1500 so I would recommend looking on Amazon if you would like to purchase this watch.  Amazon reviewers gave the CAH1110.BT0714 a 4 out of 5 star rating so you know that your athletic peers also approve of this watch.

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TAG Heuer Formula 1

In this Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 5 review, we discuss its design, outlook, build and why it is a perfect choice for all watch lovers. We love this timepiece because of its elegant dial and sturdy build. It is also a self-winding watch, which means you can power it by moving your wrist. What’s more, you can wear it for professional marine activity without worrying about water damage. The Formula 1 Company has its history dated back in 1986. Back then, a better mode of watch mechanism became a problem as the available high-end timepieces were not marketable. This pushed the company to hit the market with a tag Formula 1 analog design.
The watch featured quartz movements with subtle inspirations from popular timepiece designs. Its style, sharp colors, and tasty combination of materials led to the sales success of the watch.

The company’s success has ties to its partnership with Formula 1 racing teams. Its relationship with organizations like the McLaren and Ferrari improved its marketability.

Other improvements, like the ETA movements and fiberglass case, brought about more popularity. Some models of the watch had classical designs with chronographs, hence more users loved them.

Are you looking to get yourself one of the legendary watches? Come on board as we introduce you to the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 5 watch. There are many great features to expect from this timepiece. Hence, read on as we bring you in-depth Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 5 review. The Tag Heuer Formula 1 was born in 1986, a result of a revolution that was sweeping the industry.

The quartz crisis of the 70s and 80s was finally coming to an end and the Swiss watchmaker had recently been acquired by Techniques d’Avant Garde.

The Tag Heuer Formula 1 line was Heuer’s first watch since the purchase, and it quickly gained attention thanks to its iconic style and its association with the high-adrenaline world of Formula 1 racing.

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TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Quartz

The TAG Heuer Formula 1 was born in 1986, a result of a revolution that was sweeping the industry.

The quartz crisis of the 70s and 80s was finally coming to an end and the Swiss watchmaker had recently been acquired by Techniques d’Avant Garde.

The Formula 1 line was Heuer’s first watch since the purchase, and it quickly gained attention thanks to its iconic style and its association with the high-adrenaline world of Formula 1 racing.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 was a success from the start, though there were a few issues. Some of the early models had a few typographical errors, and the design had a few minor flaws. But, these were minor blips on an otherwise impressive watch.

The current TAG Formula 1 watch line up has all the same classic features, but with a few modern tweaks.

It’s still a watch that oozes style and sophistication, and it’s still the perfect accompaniment to the hardcore Formula 1 lifestyle. If you’re looking for a watch that exudes class and performance, then the TAG Heuer Formula 1 is the perfect choice.
The TAG Heuer Formula watch is an impressive timepiece that I highly recommend. It’s got a silver-tone band, quartz movement, and water resistance up to 200m. The scratch resistant sapphire crystal and luminous hands make this watch look and feel like a million bucks. Plus, the stainless steel construction is top notch, and the uni-directional rotating bezel and solid caseback make it a safe and secure timepiece. The clasp and crown are easy to use, and the case size is 43mm.

I ordered the TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch and it arrived fogged but the authenticity was spot on and TAG Heuer’s reputation as a top quality watch maker remains intact. The timepiece looks smooth and the display is accurate and easy to read. Plus, it’s got a sweet light blue color that compliments any outfit or style. I’ve been told it looks even better on a big wrist, so if you’re a dude with some meaty arms this watch is for you!
TAG Heuer F1 watches don’t remain static, though. The company has continuously updated its watches beyond mechanical to quartz movement. It also added the chronograph for racing aficionados in subsequent years and fiberglass dial cover for clarity and durability.

Today, TAG Heuer Formula 1 sells a variety of high-end watches. That includes quartz and automatic movement models. There are also individual variations in the crown, hands, bezel, and other features to ensure complete comfort and functionality for users. A majority of watches come in black dial, blue dial, and stainless steel.

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TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 Chronometer Flyback

When people in the world of fine watches talk about chronographs, one name often comes up: TAG Heuer. Since the company was founded by Edouard Heuer in 1860, TAG Heuer has pushed the boundaries of short interval timing measurement again and again – its expertise in this field has been a leitmotif throughout its history, backed up by several patents. Today, TAG Heuer is the only Swiss TAG Heuer Autavia Chronometer Flyback watch brand that has mastered the measurement of tenths, hundredths, and thousandths of a second.
TAG Heuer’s chronographs from the 1960s – the golden age of motorsport – are among the most sought-after remakes and re-editions of our time. One example is the Carrera, first presented in 1963 and named after the toughest road race of the day: the Carrera Panamericana Mexico.
The Carrera’s purist, functional dial, designed with intuitive readability in mind by Jack Heuer, founder Edouard Heuer’s grandson and today’s honorary chairman, qualified the model as a textbook watch for races, which became the choice for many professionals. Throughout the following two decades, the drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari – including Carlos Reutemann, Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, and Jody Scheckter ­– all wore Carreras during their hazardous races.

The Monaco is the second classic chronograph and one of the rare timepieces – perhaps even the first – to gain fame on the silver screen. Worn in 1971 by Steve McQueen in Le Mans, a blockbuster film depicting the famous 24-hour endurance race, it became an instant success. Until today it has remained associated with the legendary actor nicknamed the “king of cool.”
But this is not the only reason for the Monaco’s stardom: when it was simultaneously unveiled in Geneva and New York in 1969, it was one of the very first chronographs powered by a self-winding movement. Until that moment, watchmakers had not built such a complex caliber to include a rotor for automatic winding. Back in the 1960s, the construction and production of such a movement was kind of a holy grail, and some big players, among them TAG Heuer, Breitling, Zenith and Seiko, raced against each other to be the first to introduce an automatic chronograph.

The first ones launched in the year of the moon landing were celebrated as milestone innovations. Yet, there was even another quite cool feature about the Monaco that also marked a premiere, namely its square case, which was the first water-resistant one of its kind.
Today, the Carrera and Monaco are probably the best-known TAG Heuer collections. However, there is also the Autavia, which was in fact the first racetrack chronograph by Heuer. Its name, a portmanteau of the words “automobile” and “aviation,” was first used in reference to aircraft and automotive dashboard instruments dating back to 1933.

In 1962 Jack Heuer applied the specifications for the cockpit displays – intuitive readability at every second and from every angle – to the format of a wristwatch. An enthusiastic supporter and official timekeeper of the 12 Hours of Sebring race, the chronograph pioneer knew exactly what he wanted for the Autavia: a wide, easy-to-read dial and a shock-resistant case, robust enough to endure the rough conditions of the speedway to provide precise timekeeping throughout the race.
To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Autavia wristwatch, TAG Heuer is rolling out an automatic flyback chronograph in two executions, a textbook example how to transform historic looks into contemporary classics.

The TAG Heuer Autavia Chronometer Flyback features a 42 mm stainless steel case with flat lugs and a slim, bidirectionally rotating black ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale. The silver-colored dial together with the black counters creates a panda look like the one that distinguished some of the first Autavia models in the 1960s when a special edition of the watch was also produced for the German Bundeswehr pilots. Those timepieces were outfitted with a flyback complication allowing the measurement of consecutive times without having to first reset, making it a favorite for pilots and drivers.

While the dial and the bezel with their clean Arabic numerals feature an elegant yet fashionable style, the extra-large pushers and the likewise oversized crown confer bold accents.

The TAG Heuer Autavia Chronometer Flyback is powered by in-house manufacture Caliber Heuer 02, which boasts a power reserve of 80 hours and is officially certified as a C.O.S.C. chronometer. The automatic movement is equipped with a column wheel and vertical clutch.

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Bell and Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze

Bell & Ross show us that skull and crystal are, strangely, a perfect match but you know what else and skull is also a match made in heaven? Bronze. Folks, meet the delightful Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze, the latest in Bell & Ross Cyber Skull. For some reason, the marriage between a geometric cyber skull and bronze feels like a cross between steampunk culture and cyberpunk.
The bronze won’t remain as it is however, it is a living alloy that evolves over time. It quires a unique patina in contact with each person’s skin. The geometric skull is not bronze, btw. It is rose gold-plated brass, or bronze colored.

For this latest variant of the Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze, Bell & Ross has developed a 100% manufacturer mechanism. Its manual winding activates a gimmick that will put a smile on your face By turning the crown, the jaw of the skull comes to life. It seemingly appears to be sneering. At what, I do not know but it certainly feels like it is laughing in the face of death. Ermmm, how’s that good?
Another worthy mention is the BR-CAL.210 caliber. It is a stroke of ingenuity it is almost not visible from the top. It is cleverly incorporated behind the skull with plates and bridges following the shape of the skull and extending under the four femurs. It is an absolute beauty both in aesthetics and engineering. Key highlights are as follows: Since 2009, Bell & Ross has been creating watches with skulls on them, and over the years, we have seen a fairly diverse assortment of different offerings from the brand that have all featured this popular memento mori as their centerpiece. While putting a skull on a watch is hardly a novel concept, one of the more interesting Bell & Ross models within this category is the BR 01 Cyber Skull from 2020 that puts a thoroughly modern and geometric twist on what has ultimately become a rather familiar aesthetic. While the original version of this watch was rendered in black ceramic for a decidedly contemporary look and feel, the latest release from the Paris-based brand is the Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze, which reimagines this highly-modern design in an alloy that has existed since ancient times to create a watch that offers a unique juxtaposition of futuristic design and traditional technology.

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Devon Tread 2

Getting a message from a brand-rep allowing you to test-drive a watch you’ve been lusting after for about two years is always good news. Getting to do that in the horological hotbed that is Baselworld is even better. Lots of opinions, lots of opportunities to talk about the watch and lots of people wanting to take a look at something everybody knows exists but only few have seen in the metal: a Devon Tread 2. We’ve fully reviewed the Tread 2 “Shining” during the fair and give you the rundown in this extensive coverage.

In terms of traditional watchmaking, Devon doesn’t really fit in any perceivable category and kind off creates its own. It is not an automatic nor a mechanical watch as it is very much battery powered but a very special one at that. The concept first displayed in the rather gargantuan Tread 1 is further developed into the more wearable Devon Tread 2 and comes in many variations so far, including a chocolate delight and a golden nugget. Despite still being a sizeable watch, the Tread 2 is much more wearable then the Tread 1 is. You do not have to be a bodybuilder, or have “Arnold Schwarzenegger” stamped in your passport to be able to pull off the Devon Tread 2. Obviously, the first iteration of the time-through-belts watch is much more noticeable and thus guaranteed to spark a conversation. It looks radically different from anything else on the market, especially the Steampunk or Exoskeleton versions. Don’t be fooled by the more modestly shaped and sized Tread 2 though; it is still a magnet for attention, even from seasoned watchmakers. While going through novelties at various brands visited during the fair, and talking to the industry’s heavyweights during Baselworld’s annual Schnitzel Dinner for instance, just about everyone wanted to know more about it. And that is exactly what this watch will do for you, not just from insiders in the watch community but also from people in general. Mind you, it does cut down battery life since they all want to see the belts whirl around. The most notable features of the Tread 2, or any Devon for that matter, are the belts. Time is indicated through very thin but strong nylon belts that driven by micro-motors. Where the Tread 1 featured four belts (1 for the hours, 2 for the minutes, 1 for the seconds) the Tread 2 features just two. One for the hours, and one for the minutes OR seconds. That’s right, the minute belt can be turned into a seconds belt quite easily. Besides the time indication, it also features a power mode and a chronograph, both accessible through the articulating crown-lever and integrated pusher. For a seasoned journalist it is tempting to use a common word like “display” to describe this watch but it is better to talk about “settings” actually. In most watches the functions are visible whether they are in use or not, but this is not possible in the Devon. The articulating crown leaver allows the wearer to access all the settings for the watch by simply pushing it up or down accordingly. We go into detail a bit further in this review about the different options. Regardless of the obvious indications, the Devon Tread 2 has one BIG feature that cannot go unnoticed. The movement of the belts is a sight to behold, but happens in the blink of an eye. You really have to enter one of the settings to enjoy the action. Basically, there is no real dial and no real hands to show. Time is indicated through the moving belts, as mentioned, but other than an open worked plate to let you know the correct hour and minute (or second) at any given time is the only part that can be described as a dial. For the rest you can simply gaze through the sapphire crystal and see all the components that make up the “engine” of the Tread 2. You can see the actuators rotating the belts after every passed second, minute or hour and you can see the whole unit at work when switching it off. The belts are made of very light, very strong fiberglass reinforced woven nylon and are only 0.05mm thick. Depending on the model at hand, the belts have white or red numerals on them. The source of the belts is aviation, not unsurprisingly, since they are used in various indications aboard modern airliners. Despite the lack of hands, the time can be read very intuitively through the cut-out windows hovering over the belts. The horizontal belt displays the hours, and the overlapping vertical belt the minutes or seconds. When powered off, the hour-belt moves to 12, and the minute belt moves to any digit between 1 and 10. When it is at ten, the battery has a full charge and when at zero it is empty. In the chronograph setting, the hours belt move to 12 and jump to 1 after the first minute has passed. The minute-belt turns into a seconds belt and shows time through half-second increments. In total 12 minutes can be measured after which the hours belt will have made a full rotation. You could measure more than 12 minutes, by simply remembering the number of full rotations by the belt. The 316L stainless steel case is actually rather light compared to its size and appearance. Total weight comes to a very reasonable 90 grams for a watch this big. You would expect a bit more bulk but it is surprisingly easy to wear. The tonneau shaped case is milled out of a single block of steel, and measures 42mm wide by 44mm tall and 14,5mm thick. It is slightly curved to better fit the wrist, and combined with the unexpected lightness it is comfortable. The case features some nice design cues, which serve a function in some and aesthetics in other. The screws surrounding the crystal fit the engineered look of the Tread 2 perfectly for example. On the other hand, the prongs protruding between the lugs are more of designers’ choice the watch could probably do without to be honest. The Tread 2 I got to enjoy came on a no-nonsense black leather strap, which was pre-formed and padded and attached to a steel tang and buckle. The pre-formed strap is comfortable to wear, but doesn’t really give you a luxurious feeling. Devon states only to use the best hides possible to attach to their product, but the strap didn’t feel all that impressive. It is however, a nice sturdy strap, which aids the strong design of the watch. It’s just that, somehow, you would expect something a bit more up to par with a 10k watch. A more appropriate name for the movement would likely be “engine”. For each belt, micro motors are mounted on a central housing, which makes it look like the movement is floating inside the case. The motors operate in a precise, stepped succession in order to move the belts around. Given the way the movement is mounted, it allows you to see everything in action. You can really see the motors gears turning the belts. On top of the movement, the plate to cover the belts and indicate minutes and hours is screwed in place. The movement is powered by a lithium-polymer power cell that is wirelessly charged through the caseback. It is able to hold enough power to keep the Tread 2 running for as much as two weeks on a single charge. Reality is however, that during wearing and playing with it, the battery can deplete quite a lot faster. During this review, which involved a lot of playing with the Devon Tread 2 watch, the battery dropped from full to 80% after only the first two days of wearing it. Obviously it was exposed to a lot more abuse than normal. Precision cut ruby bearings are used in various parts of all Tread movements, cutting down on maintenance and increasing durability. In terms of accuracy, the Tread 2 will only deviate up to half a second a day.

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TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Calibre Heuer 02 44 Orange Racing

The TAG Heuer and Porsche partnership is a match made in heaven. It officially started in 2021, with the introduction of this TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing, however, it goes well beyond sponsorships of racing events for marketing purposes, and a special edition watch. In case you do not know yet, and to add legitimacy to the story, in the 1980s, when TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) Group bought Heuer, Porsche and TAG developed and built a 1.5L V6 TAG-Porsche Turbo engine with 1,060 hp and 12,600 rpm for the McLaren MP4/2B. It was one of the most successful engines of those years, securing McLaren a win in three consecutive F1 world titles with Niki Lauda in 1984 and Alain Prost in 1985 and 1986 at the wheel. Now both brands are winning watch fans with special editions. Including the latest TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing.

The new TAG x Porsche collaboration is based on a Carrera Sport Chronograph presented in 2020, and it follows the TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche of 2021 and the Yellow edition of 2022. All three TAG x Porsche come in a 44mm case, driven by a high-performance Calibre Heuer 02 and capable of racing non-stop for 80 hours. The difference between these models is visible but purely aesthetic. Just as you choose a colour for your car, TAG Heuer x Porsche lets you decide if asphalt grey and white, black and yellow, or black and orange is your thing. TAG Heuer explains the orange “was inspired by the colour of the heat sparks made by the car on the asphalt.” Should this not be enough, please think Porsche’s Lava Orange colour used since the 2000s on the 911 GT3 RS (Type 997) models and the latest generation of 911 GT3s and Boxters, or Gulf Orange from 1972, as Porsche offered vehicles in orange throughout 1960-1970s up until about 1978, but I digress.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing makes lots of vibrant sparks. The bevelled domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment will not crack under pressure, no doubt. The stainless steel case is black DLC treated, the screw-down sapphire case back and the crown is made of steel with black DLC, the fixed ceramic bezel is black, and the piston-style pushers, you guessed it, are black, too. And so is the winding rotor, shaped after a Porsche steering wheel. And the folding clasp with double safety push buttons on a textured black calfskin leather strap. The black dial has a vertical brush finish – this is new to this edition. The minutes-track flange is black – this sums up the details in a 0, 0, 0, 100 CMYK colour scheme.

Now, orange is where it should be and in doses just right to whet your appetite. The name Porsche is parked on the ceramic bezel with a white tachymeter scale, in bright orange, as is the middle ring of the crown, orange-lacquered. The black texture of the base dial looks like the speed marks the brand implies, and the dial is orange-outlined, with white applied Arabic numerals that use the same typeface as the dashboards of Porsche cars. Familiar sub-dial layout 3-6-9 is comprised of orange-outlined counters; chrono counter hands are all orange-tipped. The minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and the hour chronograph counter at 6 are both black “azuré” finished, and the small seconds sub-dial is black-grained. The chronograph’s central seconds hand is bright orange, and this colour finds a few spots to highlight on the reverse. The black rotor has orange mentions of the Cal. Heuer 02, Tag Heuer and Porsche, and the top part of the column wheel shows this colour.

In this edition, the designers of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing decided to leave out the Calibre designation and power reserve capability “statements” found in the previous edition at 6 o’clock. All for the better, the crowded dial needed some space, and this decision made the date window a little more obvious, not lost.  Inside the case is the in-house Heuer 02 calibre, a modern integrated chronograph with a column wheel and a vertical clutch to ensure smooth and accurate operations. Running at 4Hz, it has a healthy 80-hour power reserve.  This watch is worthy of the brand names it proudly bears, and it is a good chronograph, perfectly legit, technically advanced and original. The textured strap has orange stitching modelled after the sports car upholstery, and the strap lining is orange, so Orange Racing it is, no doubt, with so many elements to support the name.