Monthly Archives: June 2019

breguet classique tourbillon extra thin skeleton 5395 craftman

CLASSIQUE TOURBILLON EXTRA-PLAT SQUELETTE 5395

LIFE’S PLEASURES

With this splendid series, Breguet truly demonstrates its expertise in fine watchmaking and craftsmanship.

A masterpiece in the fine watchmaking arena since 2014, the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat by Breguet continues to build on its leading position. After developing variations in the dial, the brand is playing its ace by unveiling a series which, this time, does not feature this component. The Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395 is a masterstroke. The rose gold or platinum case with a diameter of 41 mm and a depth of 7.70 mm houses an openwork version of the 581 calibre just 3 mm thick. To reach their goal, the Breguet watchmakers have made several adjustments. The gold plate and bridges have been hollowed out to highlight the mechanical architecture. The oscillating weight has been moved to the outer edge. And to free up space, the silicon escapement has been transformed with a special construction. The regulating organ has also been given a complete design overhaul. Including its cage, it only weighs 0.290 g.

breguet classique tourbillon extra thin skeleton 5395 craftmanPrice: 220,000 CHF (rose gold) – 235,000 CHF (platinum) breguet.com

By Dan Diaconu

omega speedmaster moonphase soldier shot

SPEEDMASTER MOONPHASE

HARNESS THE MOON

While its profile draws inspiration from its predecessor which reached the moon 50 years ago, the dial now has the shimmering silver of the night sky. In such a special year for Omega and also for mankind, the Speedmaster Moonphase is made of platinum and precious stones.

Although the moon stopped being the target of space exploration on July 21, 1969 when the Apollo 11 mission module landed on the moon and Man took the first steps on its gray surface, its poetic symbolism and temporal reference still remain. In addition to the influence it has on our planet, its multitude of faces in particular make it possible to set our calendars. In such a special year for the collection which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, Omega is offering a precious version of its Speedmaster Moonphase.

omega speedmaster moonphase soldier shotThe Speedmaster Moonphase is available in a red version (with ruby index markers and an aluminum bezel) or green (with emerald index markers and a ceramic bezel).

Price: 53,900 CHF (with diamonds or rubies) – 61,400 CHF (with emeralds) omegawatches.com

By Sharmila Bertin

vacheron constantin cabinotiers minute repeater perpetual calendar caseback closeup

LES CABINOTIERS MINUTE REPEATER PERPETUAL CALENDAR

AWAKEN THE SENSES

Fine watchmaking is honored with this timepiece unveiled at the latest edition of SIHH in Geneva. Touch, sight and hearing all come into play when admiring the sophistication of this piece.

vacheron constantin cabinotiers minute repeater perpetual calendar caseback closeupA sign of excellence, the Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar watch is certified by the Geneva Seal. This timepiece comes in a Makassar ebony box equipped with a winding mechanism.

Price on request vacheron-constantin.com

By Dan Diaconu

patek philippe aquanaut 5168g 010 closeup dial

AQUANAUT 5168G-010

SHADE OF GREEN

Chic and on trend, the color green graced several timepieces at this year’s watch shows including this series by Patek Philippe.

patek philippe aquanaut 5168g 010 closeup dialThe Aquanaut 5168G-010 is worn on a comfortable rubber strap also in green with a folding clasp and pushers.

Price: 36,010 EUR patek.com

By Dan Diaconu

tissot chemin tourelles bucherer blue edition caseback

CHEMIN DES TOURELLES BUCHERER BLUE EDITIONS

ATTRACTIVE FORCE

Why should you have to choose between a sporty or a sophisticated style chronograph? This is the reasoning behind this new series. Let us explain.

This year, the Bucherer Blue Editions collection is growing in size with a multitude of series all with one thing in common: a magnetic blue dial. The latest series to date revisits a great men’s classic by Tissot, the Chemin des Tourelles Automatic Chronograph. Built around a 44 mm steel case, this timepiece combines two styles in one. Its fine hour and minute hands point to the index markers and Roman numerals placed in the guilloched Clou de Paris patterned hour circle. This traditional style surrounds a decidedly more modern and sporty central design containing a small second at 9 o’clock, a date window at 3 o’clock and two vertically aligned chronograph counters. The three subdials are bolstered with a bright red hand and the same color also graces the central second hand. This provides a very easy-to-read layout of all the time information.

tissot chemin tourelles bucherer blue edition casebackThe Chemin des Tourelles Automatic Chronograph Bucherer Blue Editions comes with an alligator-style grain dark blue calf leather strap finished with a butterfly clasp and pushers. This limited-edition series is engraved and numbered from 1 to 888.

Price: 965 CHF www.tissotwatches.com

By Dan Diaconu

jaquet droz magic lotus automaton closeup

MAGIC LOTUS AUTOMATON

A MAGICAL GARDEN

With this miniature naturalist scene, the brand with twin stars transports us to a Zen garden, where time moves by before our astonished eyes. Craftsmanship and mechanical skill combine to create a magical timepiece.

This latest work, which combines Jaquet Droz’s artistry and mechanical expertise, is so stunning that there are no words to accurately describe its beauty. With the Magic Lotus Automaton, the Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker infuses all of its poetic sensibilities into a fantastic scene where fauna and flora live peacefully. Lily pads and lotus flowers float across the blue ripples of a pond and a delicate dragonfly flies over a Zen garden in concert with an undulating carp.

jaquet droz magic lotus automaton closeupThe white mother-of-pearl dial is divided into three tableaux. The first is a gold-bordered onyx dial, offset at 12 o’clock, which the lance-shaped hour and minute hands skim over. The second is a fixed disk with reeds and three lotus flowers crafted out of embossed and enameled gold. The final section is an outer ring with two animations: a carp (koi in Japanese) which seems to sweep the water with its tail, then dives and resurfaces, and a lotus flower with a center that alternates between different-colored stones (blue, yellow and ruby sapphires) each time it passes under the timekeeping dial.

This new timepiece from Jaquet Droz, for which four patent applications have been filed, comes to life thanks to the 2653 AT2 automatic caliber, which delivers a 68-hour power reserve, and the hand-winding automaton mechanism which powers a remarkable four-minute animation (eight full rotations of 30 seconds each). All of this is housed in a 43 mm red or gray gold casing of which 28 of each option are available.

Price: 216,000 CHF jaquet-droz.com

By Sharmila Bertin