Monthly Archives: May 2019

zenith defy el primero double tourbillon profile

DEFY EL PRIMERO DOUBLE TOURBILLON

ULTIMATE PRECISION

This limited edition does everything it can to rise to a double challenge: ensuring precise time information and measuring to 100th of a second.

In its quest for the ultimate precision, Zenith does not cease in offering smart alternatives. The latest to date takes its shape in the 46 mm case of the Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon. The complex mechanical architecture equipped with two independent tourbillons and two chronograph counters can be seen on the dial. The layout gives it an open and futuristic appearance just like the other models in the Defy collection. In addition, the regulating movements also play a major part in the functioning of the watch. The movement at 10 o’clock is coupled with the chronograph measuring and displaying 100th of a second. Operating at the frequency of 50 Hz (360,000 vibrations per hour) with its cage making one complete rotation every 5 seconds, this tourbillon is the fastest in the world. It drives the central second hand at the impressive speed of one sweep of the dial per second. The second tourbillon located at 8 o’clock and regulated at 5 Hz has a cage which performs one rotation per minute. Its function is to regulate the timepiece’s time information.

zenith defy el primero double tourbillon profileTwo editions are available. One 10-piece edition is built around a platinum dial, the other 50-piece edition is made of carbon.

Price: 119,900 CHF (carbon) – 149,900 CHF (platinum) zenith.com

By Dan Diaconu

omega seamaster diver titanium tantalum closeup

SEAMASTER DIVER TITANIUM TANTALUM LIMITED EDITION

THE OBJECT OF EVERYONE’S DESIRE

If you haven’t experienced raptures of the deep, opt for a less perilous intoxication with this limited edition which has a unique composition: three rare and sophisticated materials.

Unveiled in 1993, the Seamaster Diver 300M stands out through its ability to explore the underwater depths. Its helium valve, easy-to-read luminescent hands and index markers, 300-meter water-resistant case, unidirectional bezel and screw-in crown make this a true divers’ watch. During its launch, Omega used a material with a blue-gray tone rarer than gold: tantalum. Harder than steel and extremely resistant to corrosion, it is however difficult to work, and can be a true ordeal for some! Cast aside despite its attributes, this metal was reintroduced into production in this 2500-piece limited edition Seamaster Diver 300M Titanium Tantalum. The bezel is therefore in tantalum and tops a case back made this time of titanium. SednaTM gold, an alloy combining gold, copper, and palladium, has also been added to reinforce this pleasing aesthetic identity.

omega seamaster diver titanium tantalum closeupThe Seamaster Diver 300M Titanium Tantalum comes with a strap combining the three materials.

Price: 12,200 EUR omegawatches.com

By Dan Diaconu

blancpain villeret qp 6656 closeup

VILLERET PERPETUAL CALENDAR

EYEFUL OF BLUE

Exclusively available in the brand’s boutiques, this stylish limited edition revisits a classic which stands out for both its technical and aesthetic qualities.

A Blancpain must-have, the Perpetual Calendar from the Villeret collection is unveiled in a new guise this year with a refined limited edition combining a 40.3 mm platinum case with a sublime midnight blue dial The ultimate in classic watchmaking, this complete calendar simultaneously displays the date, the day of the week, the month and leap year information in a rare easy-to-read format. The main advantage of these skillfully displayed indications is that there is no need to correct them until the next century. In this purely aesthetic advancement, the time information is located in the traditional positions at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock. These are completed with a moon phase at 6 o’clock. Despite these complications, adjustment is not difficult. The brand has patented an easy adjustment system using correctors beneath the horns which make it possible to move the hands of the calendar by simply pressing the small levers located on the back of the case.

blancpain villeret qp 6656 closeupAll the information of this sophisticated calendar including the central second hand and the delicate leaf-shaped hour and minute hands are powered by the 5954 caliber which is revealed through the sapphire case back. This self-winding movement provides an ample power reserve of 72 hours.

The 88 pieces of this exclusive edition each come with an alligator strap in the same shade as the dial and a folding buckle.

Price: 61,870 CHF blancpain.com

By Dan Diaconu

tag heuer monaco 1969 1979 limited caseback

MONACO 1969-1979 LIMITED EDITION

ONE WATCH PER DECADE

On the 50th anniversary of the Monaco chronograph, TAG Heuer has decided to mark each decade of its iconic model by unveiling a new limited edition. Here we focus on the first of its five watches.

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of TAG Heuer‘s ultimate watch: the Monaco model. Launched simultaneously in New York and Geneva on March 3, 1969, this square automatic chronograph was swiftly adopted by Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert (1936-1971) then worn by the American actor Steve McQueen (1930-1980) in the film Le Mans (1971). Extending the festivities throughout the year, the brand has decided to celebrate this half century by releasing five timely series each inspired by a decade of the famous watch. The new Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition model available in only 169 pieces is the first of this anniversary series.

tag heuer monaco 1969 1979 limited casebackThis Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition comes with an aged brown perforated calfskin strap and a steel folding buckle.

Price: 6,400 CHF www.tagheuer.com

By Sharmila Bertin

montblanc 1858 geosphere profile

1858 GEOSPHERE LIMITED EDITIONS

FOR A GREENER WORLD

In homage to Minerva’s prestigious past, the 1858 collection welcomes a new limited-edition traveler’s watch ideal for crossing the globe.

You don’t have to travel thousands of miles in search of adventure. Simply place the khaki green 1858 Geosphere by Montblanc on your wrist for a breath of fresh air. The dial is colored green. More than just a trend, this shade symbolizes the link with nature and is combined with bronze to give this traveler’s watch an accentuated vintage look. The 42 mm bronze case has a polished and satin finish. Its bidirectional bronze and green ceramic bezel is characterized by the engraved compass points. The two hemispheres from the original model are also included. Both stylish and practical, they show world time at a glance using a scale with the 24 time zones and day/night display. While the North turns counterclockwise, the South moves in the same direction as the hour and minute hands. The second time zone at 9 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock complete the time information.

montblanc 1858 geosphere profileLimited to 1858 pieces, this new version of the 1858 Geosphere is accompanied by a robust khaki NATO strap to follow you in your quest for exploration. To check their reliability and precision, they have all undergone the Montblanc Laboratory 500 Hours Test.

Price: EUR 5,900

By Dan Diaconu

hublo classic fusion wild customs guitar caseback

CLASSIC FUSION WILD CUSTOMS

MECHANICAL RIFF

This tattooed rebel spirit creation celebrates 10 years since the Swiss manufacturer opened its first boutique in the world in Paris. Switch on the guitars!

hublo classic fusion wild customs guitar casebackThe limited edition is available in two materials, one in black brushed titanium, and the other in bronze. The 45 mm case of both versions houses a self-winding movement (with a power reserve of 42 hours).

Price: EUR 14,400 (titanium) – EUR 16,500 (bronze) www.hublot.com

By Dan Diaconu

richard mille rm60 01 dial closeup

RM 60-01 REGATTA FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH

OFF TO A GOOD START

During the Voiles de Saint-Barth sailing competition, Pierre Casiraghi, patron of the event and Richard Mille ambassador, wore on his wrist this practical series made for sailing the Seven Seas. Let us explain.

During a regatta, crossing the line first is essential to take advantage of downwind conditions before your competitors and take control of the race. To assist sailors, Richard Mille has drawn on its expertise acquired on land by developing the RM 60-01 Regatta Flyback Chronograph. In addition to its capacity to measure short time lapses with ease thanks to its flyback function and its automatic caliber, the watchmakers knew how to meet the needs of sport lovers no matter where they find themselves on the planet.

richard mille rm60 01 dial closeup

The RM 60-01 Regatta also features a countdown timer at 9 o’clock in the form of a 60-minute graduated skeletonized disc. This totaliser displays the minutes elapsed and the minutes remaining. Ready to tack?

Price: EUR 161,500 richardmille.com

By Dan Diaconu

a lange sohne richard lange secondes sautantes dial closeup

LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR

A MUSICAL SCORE IN MAJOR MODE

From the SIHH in Geneva until October, a 25-piece limited edition is being unveiled on the 24th of every month to celebrate a quarter of a century of manufacture.

A philharmonic orchestra cannot function without talented musicians and a strict conductor who can lead them to perfection. Since 24 October 1994, the official date of its renaissance with the launch of the Lange 1, A. Lange & Söhne has performed this role by using a collection of mechanical features to set the benchmark in fine watchmaking. To mark a quarter of a century, the German company is unveiling various limited edition models this year. One of these is the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar “25th Anniversary” topped with a solid silver dial. Like the original 2012 model, the time information, which is blue in this model, is displayed off center. This unique layout ensures optimum readability combined with an outsize date, the mechanical and stylistic signature feature of the manufacturer. It also conveniently tells the months on the rotating outer ring of the dial and the day of the week with a retrograde marker at 10 o’clock. A small window at 6 o’clock provides leap year information. The moon phases are displayed at 7 o’clock with precision for 122.6 years.

a lange sohne richard lange secondes sautantes dial closeupEach piece is numbered and engraved from 01/25 to 25/25 and comes with a blue alligator strap with a folding buckle.

Price: EUR 324,500

By Dan Diaconu

girard perregaux cat eye plum blossom closeup

CAT’S EYE PLUM BLOSSOM

PLUM BLOSSOM SPARKLE

Plum blossom, a lyrical symbol for over a thousand years, has chosen to open its mother-of-pearl petals in a bed of diamonds in the Cat’s Eye, the most feminine model of Girard-Perregaux’s watch collections.

Besides the beauty of its round corolla surrounding a bouquet of pistils, plum blossom, often confused with that of other fruit trees such as cherry or peach, is full of wonderful symbols. Very popular in Asian culture particularly Chinese poetry and paintings for over a thousand years, it is the first to bloom at the end of winter announcing the arrival of spring and embodying revival, youth and purity as well as continuity. Its flower is often depicted with five petals. Girard-Perregaux has chosen to welcome this sacred flower into the heart of its collection made exclusively for women bringing it to life in three Cat’s Eye Plum Blossom timepieces including a high jewelry piece with diamond pavé.

girard perregaux cat eye plum blossom closeupEasily distinguishable with its graceful oval-shaped body , the Cat’s Eye has a white gold case measuring 36.9 x 20.75 mm. The elliptical case which is water resistant up to 30 m and graced with a crown in the shape of a flower is decorated with a cloud of 52 brilliant-cut diamonds (totaling 2.31 carats) extending from the bezel to the attachments. The watch face is even more spectacular with its almond disc completely covered in 361 stones which dazzle with a thousand sparkles totaling 2.50 carats. It is in this bejeweled bed that the plum blossom has chosen to bloom. Its hand-painted pink mother-of-pearl corolla marks the time and dances to the rhythm of the seconds it displays at 7 o’clock. The hours and minutes are displayed traditionally at the center thanks to a pair of silver leaf-shaped hands.

This precious floral display is powered by the GP03300-0152 caliber, a self-winding movement designed by Girard-Perregaux which offers a power reserve of 46 hours.

The Cat’s Eye Plum Blossom comes with a pink alligator strap and a folding buckle in white gold finished with 31 diamonds.

Price on request

By Sharmila Bertin