[Watch Home Watch Miscellaneous] Turning the corner of 2022 has passed the halfway point, looking back at the new products released by major brands in the first half of the year, it is not difficult to find that products with retro styles occupy a considerable proportion. Compared with the modern style, the vintage watch has an elegant appearance, simple design, and can better show the historical heritage of the brand, so it is welcomed by many watch friends. Today, let's go from people-friendly brands to high-luxury brands, and take stock of what vintage watches have performed well in the first half of 2022.
Certina DS-2 Express
In recent years, Certina has also made frequent efforts in the field of retro watches, and WORKS SUCH AS PH200M and UFO have received good responses. Launched this year, the DS-2 Speed series is based on historical works from the 1960s, which better presents the appearance of the barrel-shaped case, with wide stick hands and a simple sun-patterned disc surface, all of which exude a strong retro atmosphere. The new product slightly enlarges the gauge diameter to conform to the modern aesthetic, retains the rather charming dome structure, and replaces the Plexiglass mirror with a sapphire glass mirror.
Movement and strap
Since the 2020 second-generation PH200M, Certina has gradually upgraded the movement from the ETA Powermatic 80.111 to the metal escapement ETA Powermatic 80.611, and this new product is no exception. Beneath the vintage look lies a modern movement with Nivachron's anti-magnetic hairspring. In addition, the fabric strap made of #tide ocean material® is also a major feature of Certina watches.
Longines high-frequency precision chronometer series watches
The historical Longines has had many classics, such as the Ultra-Chron Diver diver in 1968. The "abalone shell" and high-frequency movement with great contemporary atmosphere made this product quite popular in that year. Inspired by this, the brand recreates the modern replica version of the Ultra-Chron Diver, L2.836.4.52, and adopts a new modern high-frequency movement, which better restores this legendary watch style from the inside out.
Model: L2.836.4.52.9
L836.6 movement vibration frequency of 36000vph / Hz, with 52 hours of power reserve, this is the first modern Longines with high-frequency movement of the watch, the brand opened up a new series called "high-frequency precision observatory", as the first product of the series not only has the meaning of paying tribute to the historical classics, but also indicates that perhaps more high-frequency movement models will be launched in the future, which is expected.
Tudor Biwan Professional
In March this year, Tudor unveiled the 39 mm Biwan Professional Watch, equipped with tudor's original calibre MT5652, built-in multi-time zone function, equipped with a frosted 24-hour fixed bezel and a yellow "snowflake" hand marking the 24-hour time.
Model: M79470
When I first saw this new product, I think many cousins will associate it with the original Rolex "Tan II" Ref.1655 like me. Whether it is the material, font, or brushed texture of the outer ring, it is the same as Ref.1655. In fact, tudor borrowed the design of antique Rolex is not the first time, as early as 2018, the Biwan GMT watch, there is an early Greenwich Ref.1675 tribute.
DEFY series A3642 replica watch
Following the success of the El Primero vintage replica in the 1960s and 1970s, Zenith launched a new work in 2022: the DEFY A3642 replica. It features an octagonal case that matches the original with a fourteen-sided bezel. The color of the warm gray dial gradually deepens from the center to the edges, creating a charming gradient effect.
Model:03. A3642.670/75.M3642
This replica watch faithfully restores the design of the DEFY A3642, but also upgrades the material accordingly to make it conform to modern usage habits. First of all, the glass was upgraded from acrylic to sapphire in historical works, which was stronger and more wear-resistant; The case back was also replaced with a back-reflection design and equipped with the elite 670-calibre self-winding movement. In addition, the watch also uses SuperLumiNova luminous light, which is also the most widely used luminous material in Swiss watches.
Cap 2.0
Girard-Perregaux's Casquette 2.0 recreates a digital quartz watch from the 1970s, recreating the sci-fi design of that year. As one of the few retro digital quartz watches at present, it makes people shine. Unlike most watches, where the display panel is placed on the front, the LED display of Chaoku Kas is located below near the side of the strap, and the wearer needs to raise his wrist and press the wake button on the side to observe the time.
Model: 39800-32-001-32A
Casquette 2.0 is powered by the GP3980 calibre. In addition to the basic functions, there are complex functions including month, year, timing, second time zone, and "private date". In addition, at a public price of RMB 35,100, Chaoku Kass has lowered the threshold of Girard-Perregaux's starting price, making it the easiest Girard-Perregaux watch to start at present.
The historical masterpiece series 4200H/222J-B935 watch
Vacheron Constantin's modern interpretation of the 1977 luxury sport watch Ref.222 "Jumbo" features an integrated wine barrel case made of 18K 3N yellow gold and a Maltese cross at 5 o'clock. The grooved bezel combines pure minimalist lines with a slender curvature to continue to reflect sturdiness, practicality and sportiness in a timeless and elegant way.
Vacheron Constantin 2455/2 self-winding calibre
Unlike the historical models, the new product adopts the modern and popular back-back design, through which you can enjoy the self-winding calibre 2455/2. The movement bears the Geneva seal, the oscillating weight has been redesigned, and the word "222" above it pays homage to the historical model.
Summary: Several of the retro style watches listed above are new products in the first half of 2022, and they are more or less inspired by the classic models in history in terms of appearance design, and even more are original modern reproductions. Although the Tudor Biwan Professional does not directly mention that the inspiration comes from historical watches, considering the brand's subtle connection with Rolex, it may be regarded as a modern interpretation of the antique "Tan II". (Photo/Text Watch House Xiao Feng)