Monthly Archives: July 2015

Imperial Joaillerie

Chopard

A regal white gold case with Roman curves glittering with diamonds and glowing violet like Elizabeth Taylor’s hypnotic eyes: the Imperial model is flaunting its glamorous side. To heighten its power of seduction, the 36mm timepiece dazzles with diamonds. Brilliant-cut gems adorn the bezel, crown and centre of its two cylindrical lugs; they also appear on the Tahitian pearl dial, rectangular indices and central ring. Arabesques inspired by ancient Roman patterns appear on the dark grey disc which flutters from green to aubergine in the light. Two openwork spear-shape hour and minute hands burst from this tone-on-tone tapestry. The time functions are brought to life by the self-winding movement which also provides a 42-hour power reserve. Price: 40,610 CHF

Big Crown ProPilot

Oris

The supply of movements is vital to large volume brands so, in 2014, Oris decided to design, develop and manufacture their own manual wind 110 calibre. Fuelled by their success, the watchmaker released the in-house 111 calibre in 2015 to fit one of its Big Crown ProPilot models. The movement provides an impressive 10-day power reserve and powers the time and date functions from inside the 44mm steel case featuring a screwdown crown. The steel grey sunburst dial bears two hour and minute hands in the centre and oversize Arab hour numerals all coated in Super-LumiNova®. The blue patterned small seconds counter lies next to the date display which is positioned at 9 o’ clock instead of the regular 3 or 6 o’ clock. A large power reserve indicator inspired by a fuel gauge stands at 3 o’ clock. Price: 5,200 CHF

TISSOT – Vintage Automatic Powermatic 80 Gent

Tissot

So-called classic watches have a card up their sleeve: they transcend time so they’re never out of fashion. They match anything and everything and are loyal lifelong friends. A case in point is the Vintage model from Le Locle-based brand Tissot. Its subtle retro chic style glows from the 40mm rose gold case housing a self-Powermatic 80 mechanical movement. As the name suggests, this powerful calibre brings to life an 80-hour power reserve and the time and date functions on the pure white dial (or midnight black depending on model). Dauphine-shape hour and minute hands and central seconds burst from the dial’s extensive guillochage engraving to track the gold hour indices and Roman numerals. A slim black (or white) minute track rims the chapter ring whilst the white date display lies at 3 o’ clock. Price: 2,395 CHF

CHRISTOPHE CLARET – Marguerite

Christophe Claret

Following the enormous success of the poetic Margot timepiece in 2014, Christophe Claret is continuing to use the language of flowers to court romantic women. Once again, the daisy (“marguerite” in French) is the star and unfurls its white lacquer petals on the opalescent dial. A red butterfly (or blue depending on the model) tracks the hours from one of the petals whilst the minutes tick by as a delicate butterfly on the stem flutters past. The stem runs into the daisy’s pistil capped by a ruby (or blue sapphire) in the centre. The Marguerite’s dial bears the hour indices (3, 6 and 9) and presents a declaration of love on demand: “Il m’aime passionnément” (he loves me passionately). All you have to do is press the pusher at 2 o’ clock on the caseband. The 42.5mm rose or white gold case peppered with a hundred diamonds on the bezel and lugs. Price: 69,000 CHF