Yesterday morning at 9 AM (CET), with a quick refresh of my safari page, Patek Philippe dropped seven new watches to its sports collections. All of them carry precious stones and are aimed towards the female clientele of the brand. This is truly the season for minute repeaters; as well as the new Ref. 1938 unveiled last week, Patek Philippe has now introduced Philippe Stern’s favourite complication to the Aquanaut line for the first time ever.
5260/355R: Aquanaut Luce ‘Rainbow’ Minute Repeater Haute Joaillerie
The 18-carat rose gold case comes in at 38.8 mm and rather controversially is only dust and humidity proof (not water). But despite being an Aquanaut, this is not a watch for the sea. It is perhaps more suited to somewhere where the light flickers a little more. The case is adorned with a plethora of precious stones: an inner bezel made from 40 baguette-cut sapphires in a rainbow gradient, surrounded by an outer bezel of a further 40 baguette-cut diamonds which even manage to drip their way down the lugs.
But the baguette-cut stones don’t stop there. The dial is paved with a further 54 baguette-cut diamonds, 12 extra baguette-cut rainbow sapphire hour markers, and, just to top it off, the gaps are filled in with 160 brilliant-cut diamonds. Visible through the sapphire caseback is the calibre R 27, a 3 Hz minute repeating movement equipped with two classic gongs and 45 hours of power reserve. Expect the finishing to be of the highest standard, as is almost always the case with Patek repeaters.
The watch comes with a beige composite strap, but can also be fitted with one of the alternative red or white composite straps. This model is expected to be produced in very small numbers – price upon request.
5260/1455R: Aquanaut Luce ‘Rainbow’ Minute Repeater Haute Joaillerie
The Ref. 5260/1455R is even more dazzling, if that were even possible. The 18-carat rose gold case is identical in its measurements, and likewise carries the same dust and humidity rating. This time, however, the case flanks, lugs and even the repeater switch are encrusted with coloured sapphires, following nothing less than the rainbow theme. The Ref. 5260/1455R comes with a show-stopping matching 18-carat rose gold bracelet set with a further 779 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires.
The dial once again is paved with baguette-cut diamonds and adorned with the same 12 baguette-cut rainbow sapphire hour markers, but this time, the gaps are filled in with even more baguette-cut diamonds rather than the brilliant-cut ones seen in the Ref. 5260/355R. What’s even more special about this dial is that even the hands are loaded with baguette cut rubies and sapphires, an uncommon occurrence to say the least. The watch is powered by the same calibre R 27. Production is also expected to be extremely low, and price on request only.
7118/1451G, 7118/1452G and 7118/1453G: Nautilus Haute Joaillerie
As well as the Aquanaut Luce line, the ladies Nautilus line also gets a splash of colour. The new Ref. 7118G comes with a ‘snow set’ facade of different coloured gem stones, from the case all the way down to the clasp.
The dimensions are unchanged from the regular Ref. 7118 that already existed in the Patek catalogue. A 35.2 mm 18-carat white gold case, but this time coated with a total of 241 brilliant-cut diamonds and with a bezel consisting of either 367 blue sapphires for the /1451G, 367 rubies for the /1452G or 367 emeralds for the /1453G. This theme continues all the way down the bracelet with the main part consisting of nearly 1,000 brilliant cut diamonds and the centre links coated with 497 of the respective coloured gem stones.
The dial once again keeps the wave pattern from the existing Ref. 7118, but in-between these waves you will find elegant streams of brilliant-cut diamonds, all surrounded by 12 baguette-cut hour markers, either blue sapphire, ruby or emerald.
The watch is powered by calibre 26-330 S, a self-winding movement with a central sweeping seconds hand, and 45 hours of power reserve. Price is available upon request, and production is expected to be very limited.
Whether donned as a mark of distinction or simply to appear in-vogue, wristwatches are considered an indispensable companion for many a gentleman. Be it glowing in gold or shining in stainless steel, round or square, sporty or elegant – the timepiece a man wears on his wrist has become synonymous with one's sense of self,…
Watch manufacture Richard Mille is introducing a new flyback chronograph. The Richard Mille RM 72-01 replaces the previously discontinued RM 11 and is powered by the manufacture's first in-house chronograph calibre. The new model retains the brand's design aesthetics and, as usual, integrates a number of technical innovations. The Case The case of the Richard…
As the legend goes, in 1970 the manufacture Zenith had produced a protoype of a manual-winding chronograph, housed in a blackened steel case – a rarity at that time. Apparently, only a handful of this prototype was made and the model was never officially produced or commercialized. Zenith Chronomaster Revival ‚Shadow‘ Ref. 97.T384.4061/21.C822 When in…
Mit der Big Bang MECA-10 Concrete Jungle präsentiert Hublot eine 44-Millimeter-Sonderedition. Als Hommage an den Umzug der Flagship-Boutique in die Fifth Avenue in New York trifft zeitgenössische Uhrmacherkunst auf den rauen Charme der Betonarchitektur. Das Gehäuse der Uhr mit skelettiertem Zifferblatt ist gänzlich in matten Beton gehüllt und nimmt damit nicht nur Bezug auf die…
While the watch collector community continues to laud steel models, many Swiss manufactures are endeavoring to increase the appeal of precious metal models. Take Bulgari, for example, which recently opted for lightweight aluminium with the release of two limited-edition models created in collaboration with the computer game Gran Turismo. Que bella Macchina! Over the past two…
Omega recently unveiled four new models of the Seamaster Diver 300M, marking a departure from the recent design. Inspired by the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, these watches feature a vintage aesthetic with a 42mm stainless steel case, domed sapphire crystal, and mesh bracelets. The absence of a date window simplifies the dial, which comes…
In 2017, the French brand Bell & Ross presented the BR 03-92 Horolum. With its strong luminous material, it was intended to be reminiscent of airport runways. Now comes the BR 05 Horolum, a new version of the series based on the sporty yet chic BR 05 collection. The watch likewise offers readability in all…
20 years ago Frederique Constant introduced its Highlife collection. Now, the Geneva-based manufacturer is presenting three new models that build on the collection's heritage. In addition to the Highlife Automatic COSC and the Highlife Heart Beat, the manufacture is also presenting the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture. The latter offers not only a perpetual calendar with…
Frederique Constant is celebrating a double anniversary with greetings from outer space: the brand’s 35th anniversary and the launch of its tourbillon calibre 15 years ago. With its meteorite dial, the Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture is a cosmic timepiece that showcases the brand's craftsmanship through 35 handmade limited-edition pieces. A rare combination of materials: the case and…
In 2018, Breguet enriches its Grandes Complications collection with a long-awaited addition: This collection now is available with a “Grand Feu” enamel dial. This new Classique Grandes Complications 5367 provides a simple interpretation of the tourbillon and focuses on a minimalist dial as well. The information has been deliberately pared down to essentials in order…
After much anticipation, OMEGA is releasing its new Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary edition. The dial features a blue and white colour scheme, while the unusual caseback takes the OMEGA Speedmaster to a whole new level of design, from the inclusion of a flying Snoopy to a realistic-looking disc of the Earth. The watch…
The Laurent Ferrier Square Micro-Rotor Retro combines the Art Deco aesthetic of the 1930s with an innovative micro-rotor movement. The bold shape of the case is combined with architectural dials to capture the spirit of the decade. The house presents two versions: the choice here is between a red gold or stainless steel case. Both…
Zenith has produced a new watch in collaboration with magazines Revolution and The Rake. The timepiece is the Zenith El Primero A3818 Revival 'Cover Girl'. This Revival edition pays homage to the El Primero A3818 from 1971, also named 'Cover Girl'. It got this name thanks to Manfred Rössler's book Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since…